Couple rescued from Cradle Mountain Overland Track sheltered in ‘freezing’ conditions

October 1, 2025

Two bushwalkers with mild hypothermia have been walked out of Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania’s central highlands after activating their emergency beacon on Wednesday night.

The Queensland couple, a husband and wife in their 30s, were at the beginning of a popular six-day hike when they struck poor weather.

“While their equipment was suitable, it was clear they hadn’t prepared themselves fully for the demands of the Overland Track,” Tasmania Police Inspector Nikala Parsons said.

“They underestimated the conditions and the effort required to deal with them.”

The pair set up camp between Kitchen Hut — at the base of Cradle Mountain — and Waterfall Valley Hut before activating an emergency locator beacon at about 7:15pm on Wednesday, police said.

A four-person search and rescue crew of two Tasmania police officers and two Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedics reached the couple by ground at about 3am on Thursday.

Cradle Mountain reached a low of about 0 degrees Celsius on Thursday morning, with overnight temperatures an apparent -6C.

A rescue helicopter had attempted to reach the pair that evening, but snow showers and strong winds led to the operation being called off.

“This incident highlights why carrying a tent is compulsory on the Overland Track,” Inspector Parsons said.

“It reinforces the value of a PLB, which allowed us to locate them quickly in very difficult conditions.”

One of the walkers has been taken to hospital as a precaution.