Conqueror of the Mountains of Australia in General and South East Queensland in Particular: Overland Track Day 7

Date: 20th December, 2011
Distance: 15.2 km
Time: 7 h 10 min

Mount Olympus from the Overland Track

Covered in enough bandages to smother a small family (if that's something you like to do with bandages), we set off this morning planning to walk just a couple of hours to camp near Narcissus Hut at the northern tip of Lake St Clair after reading unpleasant things about Echo Point - a stop that would unfortunately mean a long 17 km walk the next day.

The walking was very easy, mostly flat, south from Bert Nichols Hut, through open eucalyptus forest, interspersed with open areas offering nice views of Mount Olympus. We crossed something like 25 creeks over bridges that varied from stepping rocks, wooden planks or contraptions with handrails, to a full-blown steel suspension bridge over Narcissus River not far from Narcissus Hut.

Mount Olympus emerges from the mist

Crossing Narcissus River

Narcissus River

Most Overlanders finish their trek by taking the ferry across Lake St Clair from Narcissus Hut, so when we arrived there the hut was teeming with folks waiting for their ferry ride. With a couple of days still up our sleeve, we had plenty of time to walk around the lake to the 'true' end point at Cynthia Bay.

Our initial plan was to camp overnight at Narcissus Hut, and then follow the lakeside walk on day 8. However, we were dissuaded from staying at Narcissus Hut when we saw a noisy group setting up camp, so changing our minds again to walk on to Echo Point for the night. First we wandered around the hut area and had our lunch down by the river.

Taking a stroll down to the ferry dock at Narcissus Bay

Mount Olympus from the jetty at Lake St Clair

Our lunch spot at Narcissus River

Echo Point here we come!

Pushing on for another 2.5 hours to camp at Echo Point was one of the best decisions we made on the Overland Track. Walking south from Narcissus Hut, we were greeted by stunning views of Mount Olympus. The remainder was through beautiful rainforest - all those ferry-takers have no idea what they're missing out on! We counted a total of 30 creek crossings, so many glorious glittering cascades. And the lake shore often only a few metres away... truly spectacular!

Mount Olympus towers over the plains near Narcissus Hut

Popping out of the rainforest to the lake, one final look back at the mountains

Emily dropping her gear off at the hut

Mount Ida across the lake from Echo Point

Hanging up our gear to dry at the jetty

At Echo Point we met up with Russell, whose company we had previously enjoyed at Windy Ridge Hut, and a couple of photographers who had kayaked in from the other end to stay overnight. Clear skies, a secluded campsite in stunning rainforest and none of the hordes from the rest of the Overland Track... it was just perfect. We ate together at the campsite, sharing stories until it was dark. Once the sun dipped below the mountains everyone went about taking photos.