A 55-year-old bushwalker who died on the Overland Track at Cradle Mountain three years ago "tragically brought about his own demise by a series of poor decisions", a Tasmanian coroner has found.

Key points: Trevor John Tolputt was physically fit but was not equipped for the conditions he faced during the Overland Track walk, the coroner found

Trevor John Tolputt was physically fit but was not equipped for the conditions he faced during the Overland Track walk, the coroner found He died as a result of hypothermia while walking alone in "freezing, snowy conditions"

He died as a result of hypothermia while walking alone in "freezing, snowy conditions" The coroner's recommendations centred on improving communication and reporting by and about walkers on the track

Coroner Olivia McTaggart handed down her findings into the 2016 death of Trevor John Tolputt.

He died on July 14, 2016, as a result of succumbing to hypothermia while walking alone in "freezing, snowy conditions" on the physically and psychologically challenging Overland Track.

He had been walking for six days and was about 1.2 kilometres from the Narcissus Hut at the Lake St Clair end of the Overland Track.

From the hut, walkers catch the 40-minute ferry to the Lake St Clair visitors centre complex.

Ms McTaggart found Mr Tolputt's poor decisions included waking alone and having inadequate clothing and equipment to protect against the snow.

His jacket was not waterproof and did not have gloves or a beanie, and instead had an Akubra hat.

Mr Tolputt was walking in July. ( Parks and Wildlife )

Medical evidence provided to the inquest suggested the Akubra hat would not have stopped the warmth escaping from his body.

"The clothing worn by Mr Tolputt was inadequate for the conditions that he faced," Ms McTaggart said.

"Mr Tolputt was wearing a jacket which would not have properly kept him dry in the conditions he faced and may have contributed to the development of hypothermia."

"In my view this indicates that, whilst his level of fitness was good, he lacked experience of equipping himself for such conditions."

Vital information not passed on

Another walker who had passed Mr Tolputt on the track about 4:30pm had reported to Lake St Clair visitors centre that he was "likely in a position of serious risk", but that was not passed on to Parks and Wildlife.

Ms Taggart said it was due, in part, to the "somewhat problematic" relationship between the privately run Lake St Clair visitors complex and Parks and Wildlife, which was "not conducive to effective communication".

A rescue was not begun until about 8:00am the following morning.

Ms McTaggart found that no-one else had contributed to Mr Tolputt's death because by the time he was seen by that walker, hypothermia had already set in and death was just two hours away.

By the time the walker had been able to report his concerns, it was likely Mr Tolputt was already dead.

"In succumbing to hypothermia and death on the Overland Track, Mr Tolputt, tragically, brought about his own demise by a series of poor decisions," Ms McTaggart said.

"To walk alone with inadequate clothing and equipment, to fail to plan for delays, to try and press on in extreme conditions instead of remaining at Windy Ridge to recover, and finally, to reject the assistance offered by other walkers that would likely have seen him safe.

"The activity itself is one attendant with risks, which are significantly higher in winter.

"Persons contemplating walking the Overland Track need to understand the demands of the walk, to be physically and psychologically prepared and to have appropriate clothing and equipment."

Communication key to recommendations

Narcissus Hut is at the southern end of the Overland Track. ( Flickr: Doug Beckers )

Ms McTaggart's recommendations centred on improving communication and reporting by and about walkers on the track.

Her recommendations included: