Narcissus to Echo Point
Overland Track
The Hike - Saying goodbye to several members of our travelling party, and enjoying a rest in the shade at Narcissus Jetty, it was time to move on and hike around Lake St Clair to the campsite at Echo Point. Normally on multi-day hikes I don't stop that long for lunch, maybe 20-30 minutes at most, but I'd been enjoying these longer breaks on the Overland when I had run into people, or had a purpose to stop for longer. It felt like a big reset for the day, and I would mentally be starting again at kilometre zero.
Making our way back to Narcissus Hut along the boardwalk, the conditions had certainly changed a lot over the past hour and a bit. While it was still warm (mid-20s), the cloud cover had rolled over for the afternoon, and this was about as good as I could have hoped for. Coming up was a lovely section of ancient forest, that I had been told by friends that I would enjoy quite a lot, and was one of the reasons I decided to walk into Cynthia Bay instead of take the ferry. If you've read some of my other posts, you would have seen me bang on about lighting conditions too much, but as you'll see, it really makes a difference to the photos. Back at Narcissus Hut, we refilled drink bottles for the next part of the journey, and set about re-packing gear that had been taken out for lunch. There was quite a lot of activity around the hut, as it seemed like plenty of people were enjoying their summer holidays with a short hiking trip.
Obi and I checked out the inside of the hut to see what it was like, and although it's one of the older style huts, it still had the open feel and abundance of light that the newer style of shelters have. Departing with David, Alice, Obi and Rose, there is a brief section of forest that is similar to what you find all around Narcissus Hut, before you reach the wetter and boggier ground leading towards Hamilton Creek. Boardwalk replaces the hard ground for the muddier sections, and this was the start of one of my favourite sections of the whole track. I love when the thick undergrowth borders the track, and a gently curving section of boardwalk disappears into the vegetation, makes for a lovely photo. Crossing Hamilton Creek on a sturdy wooden bridge, you then reach a patch of grassy woodlands, that was really enjoyable to walk through.
The open nature of the woodlands meant that you get some great views looking ahead to the bulk of Mount Olympus. Having seen glimpses of Mount Olympus on my previous visit to Lake St Clair in 2021, it was a looming presence that I was looking forward to seeing up close when I eventually returned to complete the Overland Track. Looking a bit different now, as there wasn't a dusting of snow covering the summit, it was still a mightily impressive sight. Whether there are Greek gods sitting atop the mountain, I am unsure, but maybe one day I'll return and climb it. For now I had a much gentler task of hiking to Echo Point, finally entering the temperate rainforest, where the hiking and scenery would be taken to another level. Sections of boardwalk continued, as you walk past ancient trees, thicker than any you'll see along the track, and a healthy smattering of vivid green moss covering the forest floor.
I had slowed right up through here, having spent the first part of this section within sight of everyone, and it didn't take long before I was alone, at least visually. A family had started this part of the track right after us, and they had a small child with them, so I could hear lots of talking. I had expected to drop them quickly, as I've found children don't always keep up a good pace, but they were doing quite well. Following the orange markers through the maze of tree roots, thick trunks and mossy logs, I arrived at the side track leading to Byron Gap, an unmaintained track that eventually loops back around the other side of Mount Olympus to Watersmeet, near Cynthia Bay. I love that Tasmania has so many options for hikers looking to come out and do little 2-3 day expeditions, rather than just decide the Overland route is enough. I hope one day the Bibbulmun Track takes this approach, something that is slowly happening already.