This walk skirts the shoreline of Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake, with views of Mount Ida rising above the water.

For this walk, you have two options -  21 km return on foot, or a ferry crossing of Lake St Clair to Echo Point, and an 11 km return walk.

This walk is ideal if:

Want a long, flat walk without serious climbing

Are interested in rainforest and lake scenery

Prefer flexibility—you can walk the full out-and-back hike or combine walking and a ferry across the lake

Want to experience part of the famous Overland Track without committing to seven days

Want to see Australia's deepest freshwater lake up close

What to Expect

The track is mostly flat with only a few gentle undulations. It's easy to underestimate how long it'll take because the soft light, thick rainforest, and fascinating details on the forest floor draw you in - if you are into macro photography, allow extra time - between the ferns, mossy logs, and otherworldly fungi, you'll likely spend more time than planned.

• Open views of Lake St Clair at the beginning of the walk

• Thick, lush rainforest with dense fern understorey

• Mount Ida visible across the water—a distinctive pyramid-like peak

• A mostly flat track with a few tree roots to watch your boots on

• Soft, golden morning light if you start early on a clear day

• Echo Point timber hut offering shelter and a lunch spot

• A jetty at Echo Point with sublime views back across the lake

• Meeting Overland Track hikers finishing their seven-day journey

Best Time to Visit

Lake St Clair is accessible year-round, though the experience varies dramatically by season.

Spring (September to November) brings warmer weather and more reliable ferry schedules (the ferry operates year-round but with fewer crossing in the off-season). The forest is coming back to life with new growth. This is the best time for spotting fungi. 

Summer (December to February) - Lake St Clair is utterly magic in the morning on clear, still days, with soft golden light playing across the water. The views are at their best, and the ferry runs its full schedule with three trips daily (check website for updated scheduled). This is also peak Overland Track season, so you're more likely to meet finishers. The water is still freezing, but this is the best time to swim in Australia’s deepest lake.

Autumn (March to May) offers cooler temperatures and is quieter than summer. The lake remains beautiful, and the track is still in good condition. This is a great time to visit - with fewer crowds you are likely to have the whole track to yourself! 

Winter (June to August) brings higher rainfall and shorter days. The forest is atmospheric, but plan for wet conditions and reduced daylight. Ferry schedules are reduced, so check ahead. If snow is forecast, and you are well prepared, this can make for a truly magical walk!

Track Conditions and Things to Be Aware Of

The track is mostly flat and easy underfoot, but it's worth starting this walk early, especially if you are completing the full 21km out-and-balk walk. The views are more open at the beginning of the walk, so you'll get the best of them before the track leads into thicker forest. Starting early also means you'll have good light filtering through the canopy for most of the day.

Watch for tree roots along the track, they are probably the only major hazard on this track, and I’ll trip you up often if you aren’t pay attention! The track can be very muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

If you're planning a one-way walk with a ferry return, check the ferry schedule and availability before you go. Schedules change seasonally, and in the off-season there are fewer sailings. Also confirm whether drop-offs and pickups are both available when you book—this can vary, and often in winter the ferry only drops passengers at Echo Point and does not offer trips back to Lake St Clair visitors centre.

Walking to Echo Point

The walk begins at Cynthia Bay. If you catch it on a clear, still morning, the lake is utterly magic. The views are more open at the beginning, so enjoy them. As you progress, the track leads deeper into thicker forest, with only glimpses of the lake. 

The track itself is mostly flat with only a few gentle undulations, however, it is easy to underestimate how long it'll take. If you're into macro photography or get easily mesmerised by the sunlight flickering through the trees, you're in for a treat. The rainforest here is lush, green, and teeming with life.

As you walk, you may encounter hikers completing the Overland Track. They finish at Narcissus Hut further along the lake and either catch the ferry or continue walking to Cynthia Bay along this track. Many are on their seventh day of a week-long trek, so they have great stories about wild weather, sore feet, and what they're most excited to eat once they reach the finish line. (Hot chips and burgers were high on the list’s of the people we encountered on this track!)

Eventually, you'll reach Echo Point. There's a small timber hut here available for day shelter, if the weather turns nasty. It's a great spot for lunch and a rest. Mount Ida rises distinctly above the lake, an instantly recognisable pyramid-like peak. The views from the jetty back across the lake are glorious.

If you've had a sunny day and you're feeling bold, we recommend a quick dip in the lake. It's absolutely freezing, even in summer, but the post-swim high is worth it. Just watch for incoming boats.

About the Ferry and One-Way Options

This walk is typically done as a one-way, 11 km trek, with most walkers arriving on the ferry, and walking back to the Lake St Clair Visitors Centre. This is a great option if you're short on time or want to experience both walking and the water.

The Ida Clair ferry is run by Lake St Clair Lodge and usually makes three trips daily during summer (with fewer sailings in the off-season). Current fares are $45 one way for adults and half price for children under 12. If fewer than 6 people book, a $300 minimum fare applies.

Ferry schedules and pricing change seasonally, so check ahead at. When we visited in late February, the ferry was only offering drop-offs, not pickups, so confirm what's available for your visit.

You can also walk both ways if you're feeling ambitious. Walking the full 21 km return takes 6–8 hours but gives you a much deeper feel for the landscape and extra time soaking in the beautiful landscape.

Ponder While You Wander

Lake St Clair is Australia's deepest freshwater lake. It was formed around 2 million years ago during the Pleistocene epoch, when glaciers carved up Tasmania's landscape on a massive scale.

An ancient valley once stretched through this region. When the glaciers advanced, they reshaped it dramatically, overdeepening the valley floor and scouring out the immense hollow that became Lake St Clair. These glaciers plucked rock from the earth and scattered it across the landscape, and they carved out the entire trench that now runs north toward Cradle Mountain, the very path traced by the Overland Track.