From Cradle to sea again

We've covered some ground lately and returned to the Tasman Peninsula for the third time in this trip on the little island. First up, some recap on the beautiful northwest and famous Cradle Mountain.

Because of road closures on the west coast, we had to do some round about driving from Strahan in the south up to Corinna on the single car ferry (the "Fatso") and then around through Waratah and the Hellyer Gorge before reaching Stanley on the north coast and around to Arthur River on the west coast again. Sounds like allot and it was, but beautiful and windy country! I credit Matt with brilliant and steady driving as my nerves, and Albert's brakes, would be shattered by now.

At Arthur River, we decided to navigate the waters via boat and rented a 'tinnie' for the day. The Tassie forests are alive and kicking in this area and it was good to see. A couple nights at the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area camp and we were on towards Cradle Mountain smack in the middle of Tassie.

Our Cradle hike started innocent enough strolling in the misty weather around the Dove Lake Circuit but by the end, we decided we needed more umph in our trek so veered towards Wombat Pool leading up to Cradle Lake and around the back tracks towards Ronny Creek.

Now since I had reviewed the maps, I knew we were on a 10km hike but Matt thought something named, "Wombat Pool", would be fairly tame. So equipped with only 1 litre of water and reaching the end by 4pm, it was a shame we hadn't packed lunch...Oh well, a wonder what a granola bar and beautiful scenery can do for a couple weary trekkers! Plus we ended the hike with a visit of a very large wombat and her bub!

We returned to camp at Lake Gairdner for our river shower, camp fire, and a well earned meal! Thanks Laura & Thibout for the recommendation of this spot!

In need of clean laundry and a proper shower, we saw Ulverstone had a free day music festival so up to the north coast for a couple days.

From here we were pretty undecided but Matt's desire for another go at the deep sea was burning a memory to be made. A call to Captain Steve and we were back on the road to the Tasman Peninsula where I wait patiently for the seafarers' return.

We did arrive a day early and went to Fortesque Bay in the national park for a hike to Cape Hauy which turns out was well waited for as we needed Cradle Mountain as practice for this up and down step track out to a beautiful point! Everything happens for a reason!

Tall trees and blue seas

Via the end of the most southerly road in Australia, we come upon the Southwest National Park where the sands are white and the landscape vast if you're prepared to hike it for a couple days. Since our home is the camper, we set up camp at Catamaran River and enjoyed the sights from there.

Next stop was a stay in Hobart with lovely René who opened up her home and let us veg out on the couch for a couple days. We did make it to the MONA museum to check out the craziness that is the man that put this together.

Walsh made his fortune gambling and has an intriguing art collection that he built this museum to showcase. He also brews his own beer label called, "Moo", that he loses money on because he wanted to drink beer from wine-like bottles so the customisation costs a fortune. The whole set up is enjoyable and if you're a Tassie local, it's free!

An obligatory visit to the Salamanca Markets and farewell to our host, and we were off to Mt Field National Park and around through Wild Rivers National Park on the way to Strahan on the west coast.

A beautiful hike through Mt Field, we covered the Tall Trees circuit as well as Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Lady Barron Falls track. All of these mini hikes are in preparation for our Cradle Mountain venture.

Bush fires were making their way through Wild Rivers NP so one of the hikes we wanted to do was closed and fires were smoldering along the road. After the huge fires in Kakadu, we were used to the effects so it didn't startle us as much.

Crossing the grand mountain ranges of Wild Rivers, you then come across Queenstown and its bare dug out silver hills that have been excavated for minerals until the waters run orange. Somehow they are proud of this barren look but it was simply sad to me.

Luckily Strahan is on the other side and a wonderful destination on the west coast.