7 life lessons I learned hiking Tasmania's Overland Track

The Overland Track isn’t just an incredible adventure in one of the world’s most spectacular Unesco-listed wilderness areas, but also a unique opportunity to gain some life perspective.

They say you haven’t done the Overland Track – a 65-kilometre bushwalking trail in Tasmania and one of Australia’s most iconic walks – if you haven’t suffered. But this is part of the appeal for the 9000 people who sign up to hike it, typically over six days, every year.

Here are just a few lessons we can learn from the Overland – and any multi-day hike for that matter – that offer parallel lessons for our everyday lives.

It’s not always about the end goal

Sometimes we’re so set on reaching a certain point in our lives – from nailing that promotion to having a baby – that we forget to enjoy the journey. But when you hike into the wilderness, leaving digital connectivity and other real-world distractions behind, mindfulness comes easy. It’s the ultimate affirmation that slowing down to smell the roses – or in the case of the Overland Track, marvel at the spectacular scenery – has a tangible effect on our mental health. For me, setting an intention to spot 20 fungi species in a day was the perfect exercise in being present.

Preparation is key

Sometimes it’s fun to wing it. But you don’t have that luxury on a multi-day hike. On the Overland Track – where it’s possible to experience snow on the trail even during summer – your packing prep has the potential to influence life and death. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you must put in serious prep for every aspect of your life, the lesson here is that being organised can take you far.

Do not pack all you think you need

With most multi-day hikes requiring you to carry everything you’ll need for the entire trip, you’ll find yourself scrutinising every item you pack. This opens our eyes to the fact that we don’t actually need very much stuff to survive, and by putting a similar level of thought into our everyday purchases, we can help prevent the planet from carrying a similarly unnecessary load.

You’re stronger than you think

I was nervous about attempting the Overland Track, which links Cradle Mountain with Lake St Clair in Tasmania’s central northwest, during a period of my life when I was feeling a bit physically and mentally run down.

But on the fourth day, I shot up Mt Ossa (1617m), Tasmania’s highest peak, ahead of my hiking group. It was a great reminder that we’re only as capable as we believe ourselves to be. And if we give into fear and avoid daunting prospects, we’ll never know how capable we can be.

Leaving no trace is just the beginning

Punctuated by soaring dolerite peaks, serene blue tarns and moss-covered pockets of temperate rainforest, the breathtaking natural backdrop to the Overland Track is among the most pristine corners of the planet. Being immersed in wilderness areas like this on a multi-day hike highlights the importance of these precious ecosystems – to people and the planet – and our responsibility to protect them well beyond limiting our negative impact on the trail.

How to think on your feet

With only yourself and the contents of you rucksack to rely on, multi-day hikes can put your problem-solving skills to the test. Got a tear in your tent? Patch it with sports tape. Wet socks? Fill your water bottles with boiling water and wrap your socks around them to help them dry.

When you don’t have the option of asking ask Siri for help, your inherent resourcefulness may surprise you.

The value of self-care

There’s no glory in pushing yourself beyond your physical limits on a multi-day hike. In fact, it’s a safety risk. If you’d love to hike the Overland Track but you’re not up to carrying your tent, sleeping gear and food, for example, you can book the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, which will see you retreat each night to a cosy, eco-sensitive private hut where your expert guides morph into chefs. Is it cheating? Maybe. But if it keeps you safe and brings you joy without negatively impacting other people or the environment, who cares? It’s a top motto for life.

Sarah visited Tasmania with support from Great Walks of Australia, Tasmanian Walking Company and Tourism Tasmania.

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