IN RUFUS' SHADOW
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, North-Western Tasmania
Difficulty
Level 2: Playing Wilder
DISTANCE
→ 19.9 km
ASCENT / DESCENT
↑ 807m ↓ 807m
ROUTE STYLE
LOOP
The geodiversity of the Wellington Range provides the physical foundation for the landscape, ecosystems and character of Wellington Park and rationale for selecting this exciting route.
Vistas down Snake Plains; a majestic river crossing; a steep climb to Cathedral Rock; ups and downs on the Montagu Thumbs; leaping Wellington Falls; and the finale - rock hopping the Potato Fields.
The Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, located deep in the Southwest Wilderness World Heritage Area, is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular landscapes in Tasmania.
The route begins at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, a concluding point for the famous Overland Track. From here you will gradually climb up a narrow, rocky trail into the heavens and onto the Mt Rufus plateau. Views await! Looking south you will see endless mountains in the Southwest Wilderness World Heritage Area, and then looking north-west you will be amazed by the landscape heralding The Overland Track region. Lake St Clair will lie a long way below you now!
The descent takes you through unusual sandstone pagoda outcrops before reaching the plains that lead towards Shadow Lake. This is a fantastic spot for a VERY refreshing swim! Then homeward bound via The Water's Meet, a juncture of freshly flowing streams, and then the shores of Lake St Clair where another cold dip awaits! Congratulations!
-
Begin at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre and head west on the trail towards The Water's Meet. This is the final stretch of The Overland Track and leads to all walking trails in the area. Please note, whilst you can run this circuit in either direction we recommend following the circuit in a clockwise manner.
-
After around 500m, turn left to follow the “Mount Rufus Circuit” skipping the first track to the right which is the 'Larmairremener tableti trail', an Aboriginal cultural walk that we highly recommend saving for later, perhaps as a recovery meander?
-
Continue through beautiful forest until the turnoff to Shadow Lake. Veer left and upwards, where the track will climb quickly into open country where big views back to Lake St Clair and Mt Olympus await you.
-
Continue climbing to the Mount Rufus ridge line and then follow this on towards the summit. Wow!
-
As you descend past the summit and head north towards Mount Hugel, make sure you pause to check out the interesting sandstone formations. Turn right to Shadow Lake near the saddle.
-
The descent flows beautifully through pandani and rainforests, before opening onto wide plains before reaching Shadow Lake. Turn left at the junction and proceed a short distance on towards Shadow Lake to enjoy a refreshing summer swim.
-
Continue past Shadow Lake and skip over the rocky terrain down, down, down until you reach the river that flows into The Water's Meet.
-
Just before reaching the Overland Track turn right to follow a very beautiful wandering track called the "Larmairremener tablet". This is an aboriginal cultural walk in honour of the region's traditional custodians, and short educational inclusion. It also have fantastic beech and myrtle trees to marvel at!
-
At this trails end, turn left and travel a short distance before rejoining The Overland Track. Turn right and follow the very wide, wandering track back to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre only a short distance away.
-
Well done! What an effort! Reward yourself with an icy plunge of the Lake St Clair jetty!
-
Toilets Yes - at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre
Water Yes - at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre and at fast-flowing streams or large lakes on route (not recommended during dry seasons)
Parking Yes - at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre
Services Limited food, beverage & accommodation services at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre. The nearest comprehensive services are located at New Norfolk to the east or Queenstown to the west. We recommend booking accommodation in advance.
Phone coverage Some Telstra & limited Optus reception.Terrain Rocky, alpine terrain with many stairs and uneven single trails. There are some shorter sections of flowing, smoother trails as you near Shadow Lake.
Approx. Duration 4 - 7hrs
