Overland via Lees Paddock and Never Never

[edwinsoh]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at walking onto the Overland from Mersey Forest Road starting at Lake Bill and Mytle Carpark, onto Blizzard Plain down south to Lake Meston, southwest to Never Never and join the Overland at Hartnett Falls. Before heading north on the Overland, head to Pine Valley for the Acropolis and Labyrinth. After walking north finishing Mt Ossa and Mt Oakleigh, will head out to Mersey Forest Road via Lees Paddock.

A couple of questions that I can't seem to find the answer.

1) I'm thinking of driving almost to the end of Mersey Forest Road (2km before the end), park at the start of Lee Paddock (41°49'52.13"S,146°11'47.65"E). How is the road condition and is there space for parking?

2) How's the trek condition from Lake Bill and Mytle Carpark to Hartnell Falls? Any idea how many days it takes considering no side trips in between.

3) Has anyone done this circuit before? How many days it took?

Cheers!

[corvus]

G'day edwinsoh,
The road in is suitable for all but "lowered " vehicles when you get to the Overland you will be heading South to Pine Valley The Acropolis and Labyrinth you will then re trace and head north to Pelion Plains and the Reedy Lake Track back to Lees Paddocks and The Mersey Forest Road.
In terms of days it is difficult give an accurate estimate but I would guess you will need to allow 7 days at least.
corvus

[Genesis]

Edwinsoh,

This is a walk I have always wanted to do, but I would do it in Feb/Mar.
I would do it the following way:

1. Mersy Forest Road - Junction Lake Hut ViaCloister Lagoon
2. Junction - Overland Via Never Never
3. Overland north to Pelion
4. Pelion - Lees
5. Lees - Mersy Forest Road

I reckon 5-7 Days Depending on side trips.

Genesis

[bushwalker zane]

I would suggest going via Grail Falls and Junction Lake into the Never Never. It's a lot more of a rewarding walk in my opinion. I'm planning something similar, but heading from Kia Ora to Lees Paddocks Either way it should be fun though!

[under10kg]

I too would suggest doing the never never. Lovely day in the snow and scrub the last time I did it in Febuary. I did the walls, never never, osa and the acropolis and labyrinth and took 9 days as I spend some days in the Labyrinth.

[edwinsoh]

Would love to do it in the snow. On the overland we did, a blizzard went through a day before we started. It resulted in a fantastic snow filled walk on the first day, beautiful.

This is what I'm thinking

day 1) Mersey Road to Grail falls n Juntion Lake
day 2) Bert Nicholas Hut via Never Never
day 3) Bert to Pine Hut. If time permits go up the Labyrinth.
day 4) Up the Acropolis. Get to Bert Nicholas.
day 5) Walk to New Pelion Hut.
Day 6) Mt Ossa
Day 7) Mt Oakleigh
Day New Pelion Hut to Mersey Road via Lee Paddocks
Day 9) Spare for weather

[corvus]

Just a bit of a warning whilst the Mersey Forest road, Moses Creek track via Grail Falls is a really nice walk(and I love it) the track from Chapter Lake via Cloister Lagoon to Junction Lake can get a bit vague at times so you will need to be confident with navigation and crossing the creek(several times) down to Junction can be interesting at times if we have had heavy rain
corvus