Walking permits are required for all Tasmanian National Parks. These are best obtained on-line or en-route to the walk in Tasmania before the walk. (At last visit there were no places to buy permits in the immediate area)


Note: At last visit a permit for the Overland Track is not required if you exit from the Walls that way and then travel to Lake St Clair or Cradle Mountain to complete the walk. However this would be worth confirming.

Walls of Jerusalem National Park Map
Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park Map if applicable.
DuCane 1:25,000 for Junction lake and the Never Never.
Olive 1:25,000 perhaps.

Available from Tas Parks and Wildlife https://shop.parks..tas.gov.au

Travel to/from Tasmania is best arranged individually with the condition that everyone meets for dinner the night before at the agreed start point - eg Hobart, Devonport or wherever else suits the agenda. Departures should be similarly arranged for the day after a last night dinner at a similar location. This minimises any problems with last minute/unexpected flight or other delays.
There are regular seasonal bus services for walkers to most of the major start/finish points but these are scheduled and may not be daily so you need to plan accordingly.
Experience has shown that it is often best to engage a minibus drop off and pick up service if there are sufficient numbers. This can be more reliable, a lot more convenient for pick up and drop off and can, mostly be changed if things don't go according to plan. ie worth the additional cost, if any. These services tend to change over time so best to search, negotiate and book before departing.

There is usually ample natural water in all these areas however there can be dry terrain and weather and also hot weather so always carry 2L minimum.
Where water is collected from natural sources it should always be taken away from or upstream from any camping areas or toilets and preferable running.

There are many seemingly pristine lakes and tarns which might now carry 'bugs' due to careless and thoughtless conduct by some walkers.

Permits required in advance.
Fires are NOT permitted in any Tas national parks unless specifically indicated. ie Fuel Stoves only.

Route 1 – Entry and exit via the Mersey Road Car Park near Fish Creek. –   Start from Mole Ck or Deloraine.  Min 3-4  Days.

Walk from the Car Park to Wild Dog Camp site via Trappers Hut.  Then walk to camp at Dixon’s Kingdom. Day walks to Mt Jerusalem (return via the base of the East Wall), Solomon’s Throne, Lake Ball.  Side trip to Pools of Bethesda. Return to car park via Lake Ball, Lake Adelaide and the Junction Lake Track to Trappers Hut.

Route 2 – Entry via Mersey Road Car Park and Exit via the Overland Track and either Lake St Clair or Cradle Mountain. Minimum 9-11 days.

Walk into Dixon’s Kingdom as above. Explore the area. Walk out to Lake Ball and find the track to Lake Adelaide. Join the Junction Lake Track and follow it to Junction Lake via Lake Adelaide and Lake Meston.  Camp at the Junction Lake Hut (see Ducane 1:25,00 map)

From Junction Hut skirt Junction Lake to the North to near the top of Clarke Falls (which you may not see) Near the top of the falls is a Marker and Log Book keeping track of numbers using this route.  This marker in on by far the best route down a steep escarpment to the flats beyond. Beyond here you follow the Mersey River through the Never Never to Harnett Falls.  NOTE: There is/was no marked track from Junction Hut to Harnett falls. There are places where an informal track has been formed due to usage but this will fade as walkers pick different routes. Essentially just  pick a path that follows the general route of the River and pick a crossing point (295585 maybe ?).

At Harnet Falls  there is a clear track to the Overland Track. Once there decide which way to go out. To Cradle Mountain is longer and more interesting. To Lake St Clair is shorter and pleasant although a 2 day side trip to Pine Valley and The Labrinth and The Acropolis is a good option. There is a ferry from Narcissus Hut to the head of the Lake (Derwent Bridge) . Book ahead or by phone from

Route 3 – Entry via the Central Highlands (Lake Ada) and exit via Lake St Clair or Cradle Mountain. 9-11 days.

Start from wherever your transport (hired Mini Bus in this case) is based and get dropped off at Lake Ada.  Follow the walking track from there to Hut N0 5 to camp. (Near Antimony Lake). From there follow the Bernes Valley to Lake Ball. (no track). From Lake Ball walk up to Dixon’s Kingdom, camp thereabouts and explore ‘The Walls’ as above.

Then follow either of the routes above which suit your time and plans.

Wild Dog campsite platforms are for commercial use at certail time. Check before using.

Pools of Bethesda is a good campsite.

Dixon’s Kingdom is a large area with a small hut and many cam site options.

There is a good campsite at the n end of Lake Bethesda.

Overall there are many informal camping options.

The off track walking described is not hard but does require good navigation to stay on route and intelligent micro-navigation by eye to look ahead and pick the best way through some densely wooded areas and other obstacles.