Tasmania in the Spring (late Sept/Early Oct)

[itsaracket]

Hi there! I will be traveling to Australia from mid-Sep to mid-Oct. I expect to have a 4 weekends, plus one whole week of vacation time in that period (the vacation week sandwiched between 2 weekends would give me a 9-day stretch). I am youngish (30) and in reasonably good shape (from running and day hikes) but haven't done any overnight backpacking trips in a while.

I'd like to spend all or part of my vacation week camping and hiking in Tasmania. From reading other posts in this forum I understand that Spring may not be the ideal season (cold and rainy), but it's what I have to work with. I think walking the OLT would be amazing, but perhaps a bit ambitious in crappy weather for a beginner like me (although I am always up for a challenge and can be convinced otherwise!). A second option would be to arrive with only a rough schedule, and do some smaller day hikes and overnight treks weather permitting (I can get a car if needed). I am hoping to get some informed opinions on what strategy is best, and perhaps some suggestions on camping spots and walks that will allow me to see a full range of the Tasmanian landscape. Also, is tent camping the best way to go or are there huts/hostels I can stay at?

Alternatively, I could spend more days in another part of the country all together (if there is a superior location for bushwalking this time of year), for example in the Blue Moutains (note that this doesn't mean I will miss Tasmania altogether-- I will still make a weekend trip of it, but could spend my full vacation week elsewhere). Any thoughts/advice will be much appreciated!

[north-north-west]

That time of the year is, as you have said, problematical with regards to the weather. Nonetheless, there are options. The east coast is always going to have better conditions than the west and the central highlands, so consider doing things like the Tasman Coast, Cape Pillar, Maria, Freycinet, Bay of Fires. All have overnight and daywalk options. If the weather is decent have a drop in at Cradle/St Clair or Mount Field or the Walls - again, options for daywalks or easy overnight trips - or consider something like the track up to Paddy's Lake and Black Bluff, which is another good intro to alpine overnighters.

Cradle/St Clair, Mt Field, Maria have huts, although it's always best to carry a tent in case the weather goes off when you're too far from shelter to safely keep walking.

Personally, I would tend to concentrate on the east cost options for overnight walks and then base myself somewhere like Cynthia Bay or Pencil Pine (good campgrounds with great facilities and also dorms and even fancier accommodation) for a few days and do some daywalks.
A fluid strategy is always best with Tassie - you never know what it will throw at you from one day to the next.

[vicrev]

That time of the year is, as you have said, problematical with regards to the weather. Nonetheless, there are options. The east coast is always going to have better conditions than the west and the central highlands, so consider doing things like the Tasman Coast, Cape Pillar, Maria, Freycinet, Bay of Fires. All have overnight and daywalk options. If the weather is decent have a drop in at Cradle/St Clair or Mount Field or the Walls - again, options for daywalks or easy overnight trips - or consider something like the track up to Paddy's Lake and Black Bluff, which is another good intro to alpine overnighters.

Cradle/St Clair, Mt Field, Maria have huts, although it's always best to carry a tent in case the weather goes off when you're too far from shelter to safely keep walking.

Personally, I would tend to concentrate on the east cost options for overnight walks and then base myself somewhere like Cynthia Bay or Pencil Pine (good campgrounds with great facilities and also dorms and even fancier accommodation) for a few days and do some daywalks.
A fluid strategy is always best with Tassie - you never know what it will throw at you from one day to the next.

Spot on advice for an overseas visitor.......

[RonK]

I have walked the OLT in October on three occasions, one of them solo. Conditions can be quite variable but I did not find them difficult or unpleasant.
And even in October there will be other walkers on the track.
There is plenty of discussion here how to properly prepare and equip, and the track is well defined so navigation is easy enough.
Your visit is short - I say make the most of the opportunity.

[tigercat]

The Overland Track is amazing in reasonable weather, if the forecast has a lot of rain and/or cloud maybe the E coast is better.

[itsaracket]

That time of the year is, as you have said, problematical with regards to the weather. Nonetheless, there are options. The east coast is always going to have better conditions than the west and the central highlands, so consider doing things like the Tasman Coast, Cape Pillar, Maria, Freycinet, Bay of Fires. All have overnight and daywalk options. If the weather is decent have a drop in at Cradle/St Clair or Mount Field or the Walls - again, options for daywalks or easy overnight trips - or consider something like the track up to Paddy's Lake and Black Bluff, which is another good intro to alpine overnighters.

Cradle/St Clair, Mt Field, Maria have huts, although it's always best to carry a tent in case the weather goes off when you're too far from shelter to safely keep walking.

Personally, I would tend to concentrate on the east cost options for overnight walks and then base myself somewhere like Cynthia Bay or Pencil Pine (good campgrounds with great facilities and also dorms and even fancier accommodation) for a few days and do some daywalks.
A fluid strategy is always best with Tassie - you never know what it will throw at you from one day to the next.

Thanks for the great suggestions. It sounds like there will be plenty of options besides the OLT. Will I have to book things in advance, or can this typically be done on the fly?

[north-north-west]

None of the walk options require booking. You should be able to get a dorm berth at Pencil Pine or Cynthia Bay without booking at that time of the year, but it wouldn't hurt to phone a day or two ahead just to make sure.

[Hallu]

Hehe you're missing the opening of the Three Capes track by only a month =) Anyway, for an easy start, Maria Island and Freycinet are best, those are 2-3 day walks. Bay of Fires is trickier as it's one way so you need someone to drop you off or pick you up. For multi day walking in the mountains, Mount Field is probably easier, as the Walls can require a bit of navigational skills, and is quite remote compared to Mount Field and its proximity to Hobart plus popularity. Since you don't have much time, a one way trip from Hobart to Launceston via the East coast is best in my opinion. In 9 days you can do 3 days around the Tasman Peninsula (do maybe Cape Raoul day walk, and then Cape Pillar as an overnighter), 2 days on Maria Island and the rest around Freycinet/Bay of Fires. That would imply renting a car for those 9 days of course.