Although it's considered a 'side trip' on the final day of the popular Overland Track, Pine Valley deserves its own place as a fabulous multiday adventure. Pine Valley Hut is the gateway to 'The Acropolis' and 'The Labyrinth' and unlike The Overland it's free year round. Starting at Australia's deepest lake, Lake Sinclair, you can tackle this is 2-4 day adventure without needing to walk the entire Overland.
A quick glance of important locations for this trail
Overview:
· Location — Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (The start of this trail is the end of The Overland Track).
· Best season — November - April, although you can access Pine Valley year round.
· Length — Approximately 17 km to Narcissus Hut (the ferry drop off/pick up point), then another 9km from Narcissus to Pine Valley Hut. The Acropolis is 8km return to Pine Valley Hut.
· Average time — 2-4 days.
· Cost — National Parks Pass required ($44.75 AUD for two months). If you take the ferry across Lake Sinclair it is $55 per adult each way.
· Registration – As of writing this, no registration or booking is needed for this part of the trail (despite it technically being part of The Overland).
· Start location — Lake Sinclair Visitor Centre.
· End location — The trail is an 'out and back' and finishes where it starts.
· Facilities — Lake Sinclair Visitor Centre has long term parking, a resturant, toilets and showers. There are free tent platforms a short walk (8 minutes) along The Overland Track at Fergy's Paddock. From there you have options of Echo Point Hut and Narcissus Hut to stay in before reaching Pine Valley Hut. Pine Valley hut sleeps 16 with 4 tent platforms. It has toliets and a coal stove inside for heating in very cold conditions. No fires are permitted in National Parks, gas stoves only.
· Difficulty — Grade 4, moderate fitness required to get to Pine Valley Hut. Grade 4/5 to summit of The Acropolis as the final section has some scrabbling and low level rock climbing.
Fergy's Paddock tent platforms. Echo Hut Pier. Narcissus Hut.
Helpful insights:
The Ferry – A small ferry, called the Ida Clair, operates across Lake Sinclair saving hikers from having to do the 17.5km walk from Narcissus Hut to the Visitor Centre and vice versa. It is $55 per adult one way, and requires pre booking. In Summer it operates everyday without question. In the Winter you will have to make sure they are running (although with the popularity of the Overland growing rapidly it is likely they are). We chose to walk in, and catch the ferry back out. There is a radio at Narcissus Hut that you can call the ferry to confirm your booking.
Gear – In winter you will need micro spikes. You may need these in the valleys, as the duck walks can be treacherous when icy. You will definitely need them to climb The Acropolis. You will also need good wet weather gear (jacket and pants) as well as solid snow gloves. You can leave most of your gear in Pine Valley Hut while you climb the Acropolis, so bring a small day pack to make life easy.
Tent – Although there is a hut at Pine Valley we brought our tent. Luckily we did because a huge group of people were staying in the hut the day we arrived. I always prefer tent life to hut life for better sleeps.
Trail signage – The trail is well signed to Pine valley Hut. From there signs point you in the direction of The Acropolis and The Labyrinth and orange arrows lead you to the summit. In snowy conditions these markers may be covered which makes navigation towards the top of The Acropolis difficult at dangerous if snow is deep. If you cannot see foot prints, markers, or the tops of the rocks I suggest turning back. There are too many deep holes to fall in and it's not worth the risk.
Weather – Tasmania's weather can be brutal, even in summer. Because I live local I chose to go on days the forecast was holding with only minimal rain and no snow. I realise this is not possible for most people, so your job is to make good choices. Do not attempt a summit without sufficient daylight, which means in winter allow yourself at least 6 hours of sun to get up to The Acropolis and back to the hut.
Orange markers to The Acropolis. Inside Pine Valley Hut. The Acropolis Summit.
My itinerary:
Start Date: July 8th 2024
Day 1: Drive from Port Arthur to Lake Sinclair Visitor Centre and camp at Fergy's Paddock
Day 2: Fergy's Paddock - Pine Valley Hut 26km
Day 3: Pine Valley Hut - The Acropolis - Pine Valley Hut 8km
Day 4: Pine Valley Hut - Narcissus Hut - Ferry to Cynthia Bay (Lake Sinclair Visitor Centre) - Drive home.
You can also add in another day and do 'The Labyrinth' trail. This is around 6.5km return to Pine Valley Hut or you can pitch a tent at the set camp spots up on the Labyrinth if weather is in your favour. This trail is much more attainable than The Acropolis if rock scrabbling isn't your jam.
Icy conditions under foot. Returning from the summit. White out on The Acropolis Summit.
Gear:
I have put together a comprehensive ‘Tasmanian Hiking & Camping Checklist’ that you can download. This covers everything I took to Pine Valley, with the addition of micro spikes as mentioned above.
Tent platforms all have easy to use clips. Tent platform at Pine Valley Hut. Pine Valley Hut.
Pine Valley has so much to offer if you are looking for a budget friendly "Overland Track" experience. The trail will be busy in the summer months (Oct - May), but out of season you might just get the entire place to yourselves. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I will do my best to help you out.
See you on the trails!
Comments