Start by walking back up the track to the main spine of the Overland Track. The first one kilometer is relatively gently up hill, the second kilometre is much steeper, just take your time there is no rush. Then continue along the main spine of the Overland Track, soon passing the green dome emergancy hut.
After about 650m you come to the signposted intersection with the optional side trip to Barn Bluff. If you’re keen, comfortable with steep rock scrambles, good navigating on faint tracks and the weather is favourable you might want to check this side track out.
The main walk turn left here to wind down hill for just over 1.5km to Waterfall Valley, Continue straight on for another hour as you walk through the dense heath and short alpine gums to the signposted (and timber platform) intersection with the Lake Will sidetrack. A great place for a snack 🙂
The sidetrack to Lake Will is popular and a perfect lunch spot, especially on a sunny day. If you leave your packs here (or really anywhere along the Overland Track) make sure you protect them from the Currawongs, they are really clever birds and will raid your pack.
The next hour and a bit of walking is through a much more open country as you walk across the plateau passing a series of lovely tarns reflecting the surrounding landscape. Going over a rise you see Lake Windermere and start the gentle walk down the edge of the lake. A great place for a dip, but first walk up to the hut and campsite to settle in.
Creek Crossings
All significant creek crossings have a bridge.
Signage
All intersections are clearly signposted.
Toilets
0km) Near Scott-Kilvert Hut
4.5km) Waterfall Valley Hut, Camping area and Toilets closed over summer of 2019/2020
End) Near Windermere Hut
Seats
Start) Scott-Kilvert Hut
8.1km) Intersection with Lake Will Track (timber plaform that can be used as a low seat)
End) Windermere Hut
Shelter
0km) Scott-Kilvert Hut.
2.3km) Emergancy Shelter dome
4.5km) Waterfall Valley Hut closed over summer of 2019/2020 (access in emergancy)
End) Windermere Hut
Mobile Phone Coverage
Telstra: Very patchy reception about 300m east of the intersection of the Overland and Lake Rodway tracks (near the top of the hill). There is also patchy reception about 500m south of the Lake Will Intersection (for about 1km). Also on side tracks you will find patchy reception near the top of Barn Bluff and near Lake Will.
Optus: No Coverage, expcept patchy coverage at the top of Barn Bluff.
The walk starts with a steep climb on a slippery track with many steps. You will follow a series of timber boardwalks but the majority of the track surface is natural rock or gravel.
All significant creeks have timber bridges and there are a scattering of other timber boardwalks and planking sections.
The from near the top of the Lake Rodway track climb and past the Lake WIll intersection is particularly exposed to extreme weather (rain, wind, snow, thunderstorms and hail). Deep snow and thick ice do accumulate on the ground during winter and other times of the year, even in summer, making walking and navigation particularly challenging.
From Waterfall Valley to Lake Will intersection is mostly through heathland and gum forest that providing limited shelter from the wind.
In particular, if it is windy or snowy/icy conditions, avoid the side trips and take care to keep warm and stay on the track.
Scott-Kilvert Hut
Emergency Hut
Windermere Hut