Management of the Overland Track

Approximately 8-9,000 visitors walk the Overland Track each year and demand is particularly high in the peak walking season of November to April.

For some time there have been concerns about environmental degradation and overcrowding on the track. Although there have been improvements to infrastructure, a strategic approach is now needed if its use is to be sustainable in the future.

In order to achieve the vision for the Overland Track, there will be several changes that will be introduced for the 2005/06 walking season. These are:

1. A booking system will be introduced for the peak walking season.
2. Fees will be introduced to cover costs associated with the strategic and sustainable management of the track.
3. Visitor groups will be required to walk the track from north to south during the peak walking season.

This system is aimed at managing departures so that the number of walkers on the track are more closely matched to the capacity of the infrastructure and to guarantee a quality experience for bushwalkers.