Narcissus Hut to Cynthia Bay (Lakeside Walk)

The hike from Narcissus Hut to Cynthia Bay along Lake St Clair (also referred to the Lakeside Walk) is the last – or first! – section of the Overland Track, and also makes a pleasant day walk. It's not the most interesting walk you can do, but does traverse long sections of temperate rainforest.

Bird Watching

Toilets

Rainforest

50m

Maximum Elevation

185m

Total Climb

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Getting there

Starts/finishes at Lake St Clair Lodge (Cynthia Bay) and Narcissus HUt. A ferry service operates from Lake St Clair Lodge - at least three times a day in peak periods and less often in winter. Bookings essential.

Maps

4234 Olympus 1:25K (north end of lake)
4233 Rufus 1:25K (south end of lake)
TASMAP Lake St Clair Day Walk Map (print & digital options)

Route/Trail notes

From Narcissus Jetty, the trail goes past Narcissus Hut (5min away) and then crosses an open plan for about 2km, before entering the rainforest. The track generally follows the edge of Lake St Clair, although you rarely see the lake due to the forest cover. About 7km from the start, the track passes Echo Point Hut and jetty (the ferry makes a stop hers, and you can also start the walk here).

Permits/Costs

National Park Entry Fee is payable.
There is a cost for the ferry - $42 to Echo Point and $50 to Narcissus Hut (one-way, adult fare in 2018/19)

Other References

https://hikingtheworld.blog/2019/01/05/narcissus-hut-lake-st-clair/

Tas Parks Lakeside walk track notes (PDF)

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

Make sure you have prepared yourself for this trip - lots of ups and downs! We walked out of the overland track - catching the ferry out isn’t the full track - the pioneers of this track didn’t have a ferry. Beautiful scenery and if you like fungi…there are plenty of photographic opportunities. Fully enjoyed it but certainly a challenge…and accept any soreness! Make sure you take the appropriate gear for all weather. This walk will have the seperate walk (on this site) of Narcissus to Cynthia Bay included to represent the full walk. All up 6 nights, 7 days of walking. Camped at Echo Point which was the perfect way to finish the walk - beautiful.
Anoogle on 30 Mar, 2022

We started the Overland Track at Ronny Creek and completed it at Lake St Clair visitor centre on 30/03/2022 clocking up 86km. There is only 1 Overland Track walk and it’s the entire 85’ish km walk….not the one that stops at Narcissus and you get on the ferry to complete the journey!! The final 2 days walking were beautiful and I was so surprised to not see more people here. Camping on the beach at Echo Point was truly amazing and the sunrise that greeted us for our last morning on the track was nothing short of spectacular. Out of the 31 independent walkers who started with us, 9 of us walked out on day 7 to the visitor centre. I felt such accomplishment in walking the entire length.
S K on 29 Mar, 2022

A rather dull walk - by Tasmanian standards! Enjoyed Mt Rufus (which I did on the following day) much more.
https://hikingtheworld.blog/2019/01/05/narcissus-hut-lake-st-clair/
Oliver Descoeudres on 5 Jan, 2019