Around 11,000 people tackle the famous Overland Track (OT) in Tasmania every year, with the rugged peaks, quaint alpine tarns and lakes, and never-ending stunning panoramas drawing keen hikers of all ages and backgrounds to what is widely considered the premier multi-day hiking experience in Australia.
As a point-to-point adventure, the OT presents some logistical difficulties as hikers need to organise a way to reach the trailhead to begin their journey, as well as a way to continue their onward travels once they complete the hike. Most people begin/end their OT adventure in Tasmania’s two biggest cities (Hobart and Launceston), especially those travelling from the mainland or overseas and without access to a car. Those with a car may continue onto other parts of the island after completing the hike.
We have put together this guide to help OT hikers plan their transport for their trip, comparing the various options available depending on access to a car and start/finish locations. In the summary table we have given each option a convenience rating (out of 5) based on access to gear (pre- and post-walk), flexibility of start/finish times and days and ease of transport process.
The information provided is up to date as of November 2025.
Summary
Without a Car
With a Car
| Description | Needs A Car? | Starting Point | Finishing Point | Approximate Cost Per Person (AUD) | Convenience Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair Car Relocation | YES | Cradle Mountain | Lake St Clair | $175 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Park your car at Lake St Clair and organise transfer to Cradle Mountain to start OT | YES | Lake St Clair | Cradle Mountain | $125 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Park your car at Cradle Mountain and organise transfer from Lake St Clair to Cradle Mountain after finishing OT | YES | Lake St Clair | Cradle Mountain | $125 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Organise transfer from Launceston to Cradle Mountain, and then Lake St Clair to Launceston/Hobart | NO | Launceston | Launceston/Hobart | $180 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Organise transfer from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, and then Lake St Clair to Launceston/Hobart | NO | Hobart | Launceston/Hobart | $200 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
From Launceston
| Return Destination | How It Works | Approximate Cost (AUD) | Who Is It Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Outbound: Getting from Launceston to the trailhead at Ronny Creek is probably the easiest leg of any method. There are multiple operators who offer a regular service between Launceston and Cradle Mountain at various times of the day. Return: Returning to Launceston after completing the OT during booking season is generally pretty straightforward with several operators servicing this route. |
Outbound: $90.00pp Return: $90.00pp |
Flying in and out of Launceston is one of the most popular methods for those travelling to Tasmania purely to complete the OT, and the number of operators offering budget-friendly transport between Launceston and the trailheads make it a solid choice. |
| Hobart | Outbound: Getting from Launceston to the trailhead at Ronny Creek is probably the easiest leg of any method. There are multiple operators who offer a regular service between Launceston and Cradle Mountain at various times of the day. Return: Returning to Hobart after completing the OT can be slightly more difficult, but still very doable with several regular operators. |
Outbound: $90.00pp Return: $90.00pp |
Organising a ‘split-city’ OT adventure is perfect for travellers who are spending extra time in Tasmania either side of their hike and allows for exploration of both Launceston and Hobart. |
From Hobart
| Return Destination | How It Works | Approximate Cost (AUD) | Who Is It Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Outbound: Getting from Hobart to the OT trailhead at Ronny Creek can be a battle without a car. It is possible to get there in around 8 hours using a combination of the regular Kinetic Hobart to Launceston public bus service linking up with one of the regular Launceston to Cradle Mountain operators, but you wouldn’t be starting the OT until mid to late afternoon. Adding a night in Launceston allows for an early start. The most convenient way to complete this leg is using a private transfer service, which would allow for a mid-morning OT start with an early departure from Hobart. Return: Accessing Hobart from Lake St Clair is relatively easy during the OT booking season. There are daily regular services travelling this route and also affordable options for private transfers. |
Outbound: $106.80pp (public) $125.00pp (private) Return: $A90.00pp |
Organising an OT trip from Hobart is very common with local Tasmanians, but it’s also popular with hikers coming from interstate and overseas who want to take advantage of the wider variety of flights in/out of Hobart Airport. |
| Launceston | Outbound: Getting from Hobart to the OT trailhead at Ronny Creek can be a battle without a car. It is possible to get there in around 8 hours using a combination of the regular Kinetic Hobart to Launceston public bus service linking up with one of the regular Launceston to Cradle Mountain operators, but you wouldn’t be starting the OT until mid to late afternoon. Adding a night in Launceston allows for an early start. The most convenient way to complete this leg is using a private transfer service, which would allow for a mid-morning OT start with an early departure from Hobart. Returning to Launceston after completing the OT during booking season is generally pretty straightforward with several operators servicing this route. |
Outbound: $106.80pp (public) $125.00pp (private) Return: $A90.00pp |
Organising a ‘split-city’ OT adventure is perfect for travellers who are spending extra time in Tasmania either side of their hike and allows for exploration of both Launceston and Hobart. |
Leave Car at Lake St Clair
| Destination | How It Works | Approximate Cost (AUD) | Who Is It Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Mountain (direct) | The simplest way to get from Lake St Clair to Cradle Mountain is with a private transfer. It only takes around 3 hours along the west coast, usually with a quick stop in the historic mining town of Queenstown. An early departure from Lake St Clair allows a same day mid-to-late morning start for the OT, or some people spend a night in Cradle Mountain to be first on trail the next day. | $475.00 OR $118.75 per person |
Leaving a car at Lake St Clair is perfect for those people looking for the ultimate in convenience as it allows for flexible OT finishing times. It’s so nice to be able to meander along the track without a pick-up deadline (or even be able to bail out early if the weather turns), and having a car at the end of the trail allows immediate access to a change of clothes and any creature comforts which can be stored in the car. |
| Cradle Mountain (via Sheffield/Deloraine/Launceston) | An alternative to getting a direct transfer from Lake St Clair to Cradle Mountain is to organise a multi-step transfer with an overnight stop in Sheffield, Deloraine or Launceston. There are several operators who link up Lake St Clair to these towns and also a few options from the towns to Cradle Mountain for the second leg (most departing early). Of course, you need to factor in the cost of accommodation as well if choosing this option. | $170.00 per person | This option is suitable for OT hikers with a car who want the convenience of having the car available at Lake St Clair for when they finish the hike. It may be a more affordable option for solo travellers than a private transfer. |
Leave Car at Cradle Mountain
| Destination | How It Works | Approximate Cost (AUD) | Who Is It Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake St Clair (car relocation) | You drive to the Cradle Mountain Visitor centre, arriving at a time that suits your schedule and ready to commence the OT. An operator organises to have your car safely relocated to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre at the end of the OT, ready to collect when you finish your hike. | $695.00 OR $173.75 per person |
A car relocation is the most convenient option for those walking the OT as it allows for flexibility on finish date and time, as well has having gear available at the end of the trail ready to go. It also allows for onward travel from Lake St Clair for those people looking to explore the south of Tasmania. |
| Cradle Mountain | You drive to Cradle Mountain and leave your car at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre as you commence the OT. Upon completion of the track, you return to Cradle Mountain with a pre-booked private transfer (taking around 3 hours along the west coast with a quick stop in the historic mining town of Queenstown). It should be noted that departure times from Lake St Clair are likely to be limited slightly due to the service operators needing to be off the road before nightfall. | $475.00 OR $118.75 per person |
This is a solid option for those people wanting to leave their car at Cradle Mountain. It’s certainly not the most convenient option, but people who have onwards journeys to the north of Tasmania may like maximum flexibility with when they start their OT adventure, as well as the convenience of access to their vehicles right up to departure. |