Overland Track upgrades continue

Tasmania’s iconic world renown multi-day bushwalks are a key driver behind the boom in visitor numbers to the state.

I am very pleased that forward bookings for the 2016-17 Overland Track walking season are up six per cent on last year, with the first walkers already on the track for the summer season that started on 1 October.

This summer’s strong bookings build on last year’s momentum which saw a 17.5 per cent increase over the previous year, and justifies the Hodgman Government’s commitment to the sector that creates jobs and grows the economy.

It is in addition to the fantastic success of the Three Capes Track, which has seen over 12,500 bookings since it opened in December last year, and demonstrates why our multi-day bushwalks are a key part of our plan to attract 1.5 million visitors to the state by 2020.

The Overland Track is an iconic, world-renowned wilderness walking experience that draws walkers from all around the world, and the great success of the track sales mean we are able to reinvest the funds into a program of continuous improvement for the track’s facilities.

Last year saw upgrades to track and huts, construction of new helipads and improvement in facilities such as the jetty near the mouth of the Narcissus River. The Narcissus jetty marks the end of the Overland Track experience for most walkers, providing them with the option to catch the ferry to Cynthia Bay.

Projects scheduled for the 2016-17 season include further work at Mt Ossa, track realignment and stabilisation at Hartnett, D’Alton and Fergusson falls, and conservation works to Old Waterfall Valley hut and Old Pelion hut.

The Overland Track Report 2015-16 that details the track’s operations, is available on the PWS website here, and walkers intending to do the six-day, 65 km walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair are reminded to book as soon as possible so as not to be disappointed.

For further information go to www.overlandtrack.com.au
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage