Kia Ora to Windy Ridge

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Kia Ora Hut Helipad Track & Overland Track, . (-41.8921021,146.0815869)
Mode
Directions	From Castra Road, head east along Spellmans Road; After 6.6km, (at the end of Spellmans Road) turn right on to Back Road. After another 2.4km, (at the end of Back Road) turn right on to Cradle Mountain Road. After another 750m, continue straight along Main Street. After another 900m, continue straight along Cradle Mountain Road. After another 14.1km, turn left on to Cethana Road. After another 11.1km, turn sharp right on to Olivers Road. After another 21.1km, (at the end of Olivers Road) turn right on to Mersey Forest Road Mersey Forest. After another 31.4km, turn right on to Lees Paddocks Track Mersey Forest. After another 7.7km, turn left on to Wadleys Hut Track Mersey Forest. After another 2.7km, come to the trackhead on Wadleys Hut Track Mersey Forest.
Finish	At the intersection of Bert Nichols Hut Toilet Track & Overland Track, . (-41.9319992,146.0889934)
Mode (end)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start (from Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform) by heading south-east along the Overland Track. There is the Kia Ora Hut Group Camping Platform, campsite at the start. 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au There is the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform, campsite at the start. 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au There is the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform, campsite at the start. 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au There is a water tank at the start. There is the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform, campsite at the start. 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (20m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (10m on your right). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (15m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (30m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au After another 10m you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (20m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (15m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Kia Ora Hut Public Camping Platform (on your right). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au You will also find a water tankand a waterfall here. After another 40m, cross the bridge, over the Kia Ora Creek. Then almost immediately, pass Kia Ora Falls waterfall, a waterfall (on the left).
	After another 400m, (at the 3-way intersection, with & Overland Track) continue straight, to follow the Overland Track. After another 2.1km, pass a toilet (30m on your right).
	Then almost immediately (at the 3-way intersection) bear left, to stay on the Overland Track. After another 10m you will find the Du Cane Helipad, (on the left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to Dalton Falls on Mersey River. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. When you have finished this side trip, head back to the main route and bear left to continue. Details below. The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to Fergusson Falls on Mersey River. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. When you have finished this side trip, head back to the main route and bear left to continue. Details below. After another 1.7km, (at the 3-way intersection) turn sharp right, to stay on the Overland Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to the tallest of the falls - Hartnett Falls. To start this optional side trip turn left here. When you have finished this side trip, head back to the main route and continue straight to continue. Details below. After another 1.1km, (at the 3-way intersection) turn right, to stay on the Overland Track.
	After another 4km, (at the 3-way intersection) continue straight, to stay on the Overland Track. Then almost immediately you will find the Windy Ridge Group Campsite (10m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au Then almost immediately you will find the Windy Ridge Group Campsite (15m on the left). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au
	After another 50m, (at the 3-way intersection) continue straight, to stay on the Overland Track. Then almost immediately you will find the Windy Ridge Group Campsite (30m on your right). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au
	After another 60m, (at the 3-way intersection) continue straight, to stay on the Overland Track. Then almost immediately you will find the Windy Ridge Ranger Hut (10m on the left).
	Then (at the 3-way intersection, with Overland Track & Bert Nichols Hut Toilet Track) turn right (taking the first option to the right), to follow the Bert Nichols Hut Toilet Track. Then almost immediately pass a lookout (30m on the left).
	Then almost immediately you come to the end at Bert Nichols Hut. Then almost immediately you will find the Bert Nichols Hut (on the left). Then almost immediately, pass a water tank (ahead). Then almost immediately pass a campsite (20m ahead). 🔗 parks.tas.gov.au You will also find a lookout, water tank, toiletand a helipad here. Then almost immediately, pass a water tank (30m on the left). Then almost immediately, pass a toilet (40m ahead). Then almost immediately you will find the Bert Nichols Hut Helipad, (50m ahead).

Side trip to Dalton Falls on Mersey River.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	To start this sidetrip continue straight (from at the intersection of Dalton & Fergusson Falls Track & Overland Track) by heading north-east along the Dalton & Fergusson Falls Track.
	After another 250m, (at the 3-way intersection, with & Dalton Falls Track) continue straight, to follow the Dalton Falls Track. After another 150m you will find the Dalton Falls lookout.
	Then almost immediately this sidetrip ends at Dalton Falls. There is a waterfall here. Then almost immediately, pass Dalton Falls waterfall, a waterfall (10m ahead). Then almost immediately you will find the Dalton Falls lookout.

Side trip to Fergusson Falls on Mersey River.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	To start this sidetrip continue straight (from at the intersection of Dalton & Fergusson Falls Track & Overland Track) by heading north-east along the Dalton & Fergusson Falls Track.
	After another 250m, (at the 3-way intersection, with & Fergusson Falls Track) turn right, to follow the Fergusson Falls Track. After another 50m, pass Dalton Falls waterfall, a waterfall (50m on the left). After another 100m you will find the Fergusson Falls lookout.
	Then almost immediately this sidetrip ends at Fergusson Falls. There is a waterfall here. Then almost immediately, pass Fergusson Falls waterfall, a waterfall (20m ahead). Then almost immediately you will find the Fergusson Falls lookout.

Side trip to the tallest of the falls - Hartnett Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	To start this sidetrip turn left (from at the intersection of Hartnett Falls Track & Overland Track) by heading north-east along the Hartnett Falls Track.
	After another 700m, (at the 4-way intersection, with & Harnett Fall Bottom Track) turn sharp left, to follow the Harnett Fall Bottom Track. Then almost immediately, pass Hartnett Falls waterfall, a waterfall (15m on your right).
	After another 300m this sidetrip ends at Mersey River.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	9.5km
Time	3 hrs 30 mins to 4 hrs 30 mins

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 15 on route, they are on average 700m part with the largest gap being 9.4km.

Hut: There are two on route, 15m apart, the first is 9.5km from the start.

Toilet: There are two on route, 7km apart, the first is 2.6km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Campsite	0m	[campsite]
Campsite	5m	[campsite]
Campsite	5m	[campsite]
Campsite	10m	[campsite]
Campsite	20m	[campsite]
Campsite	20m	[campsite]
Campsite	20m	[campsite]
Campsite	20m	[campsite]
Campsite	30m	[campsite]
Campsite	40m	[campsite]
Campsite	40m	[campsite]
Toilet	2.6km	[toilet]
Campsite	9.4km	[campsite]
Campsite	9.4km	[campsite]
Campsite	9.5km	[campsite]
Hut	9.5km	[hut]
Hut	9.5km	[hut]
Campsite	9.5km	[campsite]
Toilet	9.5km	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Lake St Clair Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Monday 21 July
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds north to northeasterly 25 to 35 km/h increasing to 25 to 40 km/h in the late evening.
  
  Tuesday 22 July
  
  3°C → 10°C
  Showers.
  100% chance of rain
  10 → 25mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. Winds north to northeasterly 25 to 40 km/h.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 1 [Low]
  
  Wednesday 23 July
  
  1°C → 5°C
  Showers.
  95% chance of rain
  4 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Snow falling above 1000 metres. Winds north to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h turning westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the late morning and early afternoon.
  
  Thursday 24 July
  
  0°C → 8°C
  Morning frost. Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Snow possible above 1000 metres. Areas of morning frost. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning.
  
  Friday 25 July
  
  -1°C → 9°C
  Morning frost. Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Areas of morning frost. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the evening. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Saturday 26 July
  
  1°C → 8°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  2 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Winds northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h turning easterly during the morning.
  
  Sunday 27 July
  
  1°C → 8°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds easterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southerly during the day.
  
  Monday 28 July
  
  1°C → 7°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning westerly during the morning.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Tasmania Parks & Wildlife service
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Tas closure website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.

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