Walking the Overland Track: Connection, Country, and Gratitude

I didn’t really prepare for the Overland Track. As in, I didn't really do much research on it. I added a heavy pack to my normal 7k walk in the bush, purchased suggested clothing, gear etc., but no real research on the actual walk really.  Ningana and Cycle of Care had been busy, and I thought I’d just see how I went. What I didn’t expect was how deeply overwhelming the experience would be.

The beauty of Lutruwita/Tasmania got to me on a real, primal, guttural level.

Snow on the ground, snow on the mountains, waterfalls crashing with power — it all stopped me in my tracks more than once. I found myself crying at times, overcome by gratitude and awe. Taking many moments to just marvel. But it was something deeper, a reminder of connection to Country that is hard to put into words.

I was lucky to be out there with a group of 15 incredible women. Among them were my daughter, my niece, and my sister — four Palawa women walking side by side. That made it especially moving. To be on Country, together, was a privilege I don’t take lightly.

What surprised me most was that the hike wasn’t as physically hard as I thought it would be. In some ways, it felt like a dream. Thigh-deep snow in places, but with the right gear and the right mob around me, it was less arduous and more… freeing. The highlight wasn’t just the walking, it was being out there — fully present, fully immersed in nature.

I came back feeling refreshed, grounded, and humbled. Not everyone has the chance to spend a week out there, and that stayed with me too. I felt deeply privileged, but also sad that so many people don’t get the same opportunity, due to their circumstances.

If you ever get the chance, I would encourage anyone — especially Palawa people — to do the Overland Track. It’s not just a walk. It’s a reconnection, a reminder, and a gift.