Ronny Creek to Lake Rodway

4 h to 6 h

10.5 km
oneway segment

↑ 547 m
↓ -491 m

Very challenging
Walk from Ronny Creek to Lake Rodway (Scott-Kilvert Hut and camping area). During Summer 2019/20 this is the recommended first leg of the Overland Track whilst Waterfall Valley Hut and area is upgraded. Start from the bus stop and car park at Ronny Creek, then wander for a few hundred meters through the buttongrass plains beside Ronny Creek. After this the uphill starts, it is very steep in places, take your time and enjoy the views. You will pass Crater Falls in a lovely rainforest before emerging at the mouth of the glacier-carved Crater Lake. The climbing continues up from here, with chains to assist one short rock scramble up to Marion's Lookout and the amazing views over Dove Lake. Continue along the Overland Track to Kitchen Hut (a great lunch spot) where there is the potential side trip to Cradle Mountain. The Overland Track then continues 'behind' Cradle Mountain before then deviates from the spine of the Overland Track by turn left to head down to Lake Rodway. Follow the steep track downhill to find the Hut and camping areas not far from the shores of the lake. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Segment This is part of longer journey and can not be completed on it is own.
Start Ronny Creek - Cradle Shuttle Bus (-41.6359432,145.9491271)
Mode Bus Car
DirectionsFrom Cradle Mountain Road, C132
  • Turn on to then drive for 2 m
Finish (-41.692572,145.9653389)
Mode (end)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the Visitor Center at Cradle Mountain catch the Parks bus towards Dove Lake, but get off about halfway at "Ronny Creek". There is a small carpark and small shelter here as well as the signposted formal start of the Overland Track.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Ronny Creek - Cradle Shuttle Bus Start (a walking track).
After 75 m pass the "Overland Track" (6 m on your left).
The starting point of an alternate access track. The alternate access track to Waldheim Cabins on Connells Ave Details below.
After another 650 m turn left.
Then cross the bridge (about 9 m long)
Then head down the surface|wood steps (about 4 m long)
Crater Lake
After another 5 m by following the "Crater Lake" sign continue straight.
Then head up the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 590 m head up the steps (about 9 m long)
Overland Track
After another 6 m by following the "Overland Track" sign continue straight.
After another 6 m head up the steps (about 25 m long)
After another 410 m pass the "Crater Falls" (15 m on your right).
After another 35 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 500 m pass the "Crater Lake Hut" (on your right).
After another 285 m pass the "Wombat Peak" (155 m on your left).
After another 105 m turn right.
After another 25 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 335 m pass a seat (10 m on your left).
After another 80 m continue straight.
After another 205 m continue straight.
After another 35 m come to the "Marion's Lookout" (40 m on your left).
Then pass the "Marions Lookout" (25 m on your left).
After another 1.6 km veer left.
After another 370 m pass the "Kitchen Hut" (8 m on your right).
After another 50 m continue straight.
After another 35 m pass the "Kitchen Hut Toilet" (45 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to climb the famous Cradle Mountain. Very steep and slippery so not recommended in wet or icy conditions. There is some rock scrambling near the summit that requires extra care. Requires between 2-3 hours to enjoy this side trip. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 65 m continue straight.
After another 2.9 km turn left.
After another 35 m pass the "Emergency Shelter" (90 m on your right).
After another 2.1 km come to "Scott-Kilvert Hut Campsite".
About 125 m past the end is a toilet.
Turn around.
After another 10 m come to the "Scott-Kilvert Memorial Hut".
After another 10 m come to the end.

The alternate access track to Waldheim Cabins on Connells Ave
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 275 m continue straight.
After another 145 m veer right.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 110 m turn right.
After another 20 m come to a toilet.
About 80 m past the end is a car park.
The end.

An optional side trip to climb the famous Cradle Mountain. Very steep and slippery so not recommended in wet or icy conditions. There is some rock scrambling near the summit that requires extra care. Requires between 2-3 hours to enjoy this side trip.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 35 m veer right.
After another 860 m pass the "Smithies Peak" (145 m on your left).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.1 km to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Ronny Creek to Lake Rodway


Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length 10.5 km
Time 4 h to 6 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Forecasted & unexpected severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)

Some facilities on route
Camp site: There is one 10.6 km from the start.

Hut: There is one 10.5 km from the start.

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.5 km apart with the largest gap of 5.3 km.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3 km apart with the largest gap of 5.3 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.5 km apart with the largest gap of 7.4 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
730 m + 630 m[toilet]
Seat
1.9 km[seat]
Seat
3.1 km[seat]
Shelter
5.3 kmKitchen Hut
Toilet
5.4 kmKitchen Hut Toilet
Shelter
8.4 kmEmergency Shelter
Hut
10.5 kmScott-Kilvert Memorial Hut
Camp site
10.6 kmScott-Kilvert Hut Campsite
Toilet
10.6 km[toilet]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley
Walk past Cradle Mountain and see some of the most spectacular Glacial Lakes. A great start to the Overland Track.
Waldheim Cabins
Most rustic, cheapest and closest accommodation to the start of the Overland Track
Kitchen Hut
Emergency shelter.
Scott-Kilvert Hut
Just near Lake Rodway this a-frame hut is nestled in the trees behind Cradle Mountain
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Weather & Alerts
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