Week 2 South East Cape , Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires 7/1 - 12/1
Day 9 7th January South East Cape Walk
As we wake to the sounds of the ocean, we enjoyed a quiet morning anticipating a 4 hour walk to the South East Cape. The Southern most point of Tassie that we can access. Setting off late morning with backpacks fulls of supplies we primed the boys for a long walk, but we'd take it slowly. It wasn't going to be hot and we had plenty of day light. The guidebook said a 4 hour return walk. It took us 6.5hours ..but we did it. The walk takes you through bush land climbing over rocks and tree branches, to dense forest filled with moss covered rocks and ferns, as well as board walk path over marsh lands. So varied! At the end, was ocean, rough seas with huge whitewash and rocks that reminded us of images of the moon! The boys even tried moon walking.
Amazing views and we were lucky enough the weather allowed us to walk down the steep stairs to the beach. A great day, a good experience. The boys were completely exhausted to the point Brad carried Xavier for quite a bit of the return, Mitch laid down to sleep and Josh completely overwhelmed by exhaustion. Very proud they walked the distance and we can say we've walked to the Southern point of Tassie. In 2019, we hope to walk to the Tip at Cape York. #2019NorthandSouthofAustralia.
Day 10 8th January From South to the middle of Tassie.
Packing up camp, heading towards Cradle Mountain. Pondering over map, there were 3 roads we could take, all of which we either have done parts already or will soon do. With only 3 weeks in Tassie we are aiming not to travel too many roads twice! Neighbours who are Tasmanian suggested we travel the longer way.
Back up around Hobart, we stopped at Cascades Brewery, something for the adults. Beautiful grounds and plenty of history !
Stopping next at Derwent Bridge where an artist, Greg Duncan, has carved a story out of timber. Large works, very clever, amazing patience.
Deciding where to camp for the night wasn't obvious. We pressed onto Thureau Hills Boat ramp, to arrive with rain! Hungry passengers and rain after long drive are not ideal conditions! Brad managed to light a fire while I cooked under our awning. As luck would have it, there was shelter , one side with table and chairs, the other a blank space. We were the only ones there so put our swags in the empty space and had dinner in the other. Short bursts of dry periods we could look around, another beautiful free camp. Unfortunately the rain was to stay and we couldn't enjoy the fire. Others arrived at the camp sharing the shelter during the wet night.
Day 11 9th January to Cradle Mountain
Via Queenstown and Zeehan
A long drive after packing up in the rain we stopped at Queenstown and Zeehan briefly. Old historic towns that many buildings have survived/been restored.
We attempted the Ocean Beach Sand drive but only drove a short distance. Was fun all the same.
Onto Cradle Mountain where we decided to visit devils@Cradle for the night feeding tour. Checking into the camp ground , most we have ever paid for a patch of ground. $62 unpowered site, outrageous! The only option within cradle mountain.
Cradle Mountain was freezing, with intermittent rain, forecasted to drop to 4 deg overnight. We took advantage of the camp kitchen with an open fire and pizza oven to make dinner and to stay dry and warm!
Devils@Cradle night feeding tour was worth it. The guide was knowledgeable and we learnt about the endangered species, Tasmanian Devils, Spotted Quolls and Eastern Quolls. We watched them feed on whole animals such as wallaby. A bit gruesome but natural at the same time.
Day 12 10th January Cradle Mountain
Another morning of rain and cold weather! Packing up in the rain isn't much fun!
We loaded on the shuttle service up the mountain, picturesque scenes all around us.
Starting the Dove Lake Walk, a 6km circuit, in weather resembling winter on this January day, rain clouds hiding the mountain peaks. An enjoyable walk around the lake, took us over the 2 hours but again the boys did well with walking. Rain cleared and we could see Cradle Mountain! We saw the idyllic boat shed, and tried hard to get a photo without the other people visiting!
Onto a boardwalk we saw about 5 wombats out grazing, including a baby wombat. Boys, particularly Mitch, interested in seeing the wombat in the wild after a school project.
Xavier led us through the Enchanted forest walk. A short 20 minutes through dense moss covered forest. A pretty walk but we'd had enough, it was time to leave Cradle Mountain.
Ahead of schedule with our itinerary we decided to backtrack and visit the Bay of Fires, since we had missed it earlier on in our trip.
Staying overnight at a river side caravan park at Deloraine. Boys played cricket and were surrounded by ducks wanting to join in! Very close to the train line, the first train through was quite a novelty for the boys. The ones that came through the night weren't as much fun!
Day 13 11/1/19 To Bay of Fires
About an hour and half drive we arrived into a free camp in the Bay of Fires (Cosy north). Amazing camp, right near the beach, with a toilet and free! There is no way it would be free in NSW. Very busy camp, we believe we scored the last site.
Bay of Fires is a rocky coastline with orange lichen growing on the rocks. With the bright blue water and white sand it really is beautiful. Boys had a great time rock climbing and playing at the beach.
Some quiet time, drawing, colouring and reflecting on our favourite parts of our trip, obviously we have exhausted the boys. For anyone who has been around them you would know they do not sit still by choice for very long!!
As we wake to the sounds of the ocean, we enjoyed a quiet morning anticipating a 4 hour walk to the South East Cape. The Southern most point of Tassie that we can access. Setting off late morning with backpacks fulls of supplies we primed the boys for a long walk, but we'd take it slowly. It wasn't going to be hot and we had plenty of day light. The guidebook said a 4 hour return walk. It took us 6.5hours ..but we did it. The walk takes you through bush land climbing over rocks and tree branches, to dense forest filled with moss covered rocks and ferns, as well as board walk path over marsh lands. So varied! At the end, was ocean, rough seas with huge whitewash and rocks that reminded us of images of the moon! The boys even tried moon walking.
Amazing views and we were lucky enough the weather allowed us to walk down the steep stairs to the beach. A great day, a good experience. The boys were completely exhausted to the point Brad carried Xavier for quite a bit of the return, Mitch laid down to sleep and Josh completely overwhelmed by exhaustion. Very proud they walked the distance and we can say we've walked to the Southern point of Tassie. In 2019, we hope to walk to the Tip at Cape York. #2019NorthandSouthofAustralia.
Day 10 8th January From South to the middle of Tassie.
Packing up camp, heading towards Cradle Mountain. Pondering over map, there were 3 roads we could take, all of which we either have done parts already or will soon do. With only 3 weeks in Tassie we are aiming not to travel too many roads twice! Neighbours who are Tasmanian suggested we travel the longer way.
Back up around Hobart, we stopped at Cascades Brewery, something for the adults. Beautiful grounds and plenty of history !
Stopping next at Derwent Bridge where an artist, Greg Duncan, has carved a story out of timber. Large works, very clever, amazing patience.
Deciding where to camp for the night wasn't obvious. We pressed onto Thureau Hills Boat ramp, to arrive with rain! Hungry passengers and rain after long drive are not ideal conditions! Brad managed to light a fire while I cooked under our awning. As luck would have it, there was shelter , one side with table and chairs, the other a blank space. We were the only ones there so put our swags in the empty space and had dinner in the other. Short bursts of dry periods we could look around, another beautiful free camp. Unfortunately the rain was to stay and we couldn't enjoy the fire. Others arrived at the camp sharing the shelter during the wet night.
Day 11 9th January to Cradle Mountain
Via Queenstown and Zeehan
A long drive after packing up in the rain we stopped at Queenstown and Zeehan briefly. Old historic towns that many buildings have survived/been restored.
Onto Cradle Mountain where we decided to visit devils@Cradle for the night feeding tour. Checking into the camp ground , most we have ever paid for a patch of ground. $62 unpowered site, outrageous! The only option within cradle mountain.
Cradle Mountain was freezing, with intermittent rain, forecasted to drop to 4 deg overnight. We took advantage of the camp kitchen with an open fire and pizza oven to make dinner and to stay dry and warm!
Devils@Cradle night feeding tour was worth it. The guide was knowledgeable and we learnt about the endangered species, Tasmanian Devils, Spotted Quolls and Eastern Quolls. We watched them feed on whole animals such as wallaby. A bit gruesome but natural at the same time.
Day 12 10th January Cradle Mountain
Another morning of rain and cold weather! Packing up in the rain isn't much fun!
We loaded on the shuttle service up the mountain, picturesque scenes all around us.
Starting the Dove Lake Walk, a 6km circuit, in weather resembling winter on this January day, rain clouds hiding the mountain peaks. An enjoyable walk around the lake, took us over the 2 hours but again the boys did well with walking. Rain cleared and we could see Cradle Mountain! We saw the idyllic boat shed, and tried hard to get a photo without the other people visiting!
Onto a boardwalk we saw about 5 wombats out grazing, including a baby wombat. Boys, particularly Mitch, interested in seeing the wombat in the wild after a school project.
Xavier led us through the Enchanted forest walk. A short 20 minutes through dense moss covered forest. A pretty walk but we'd had enough, it was time to leave Cradle Mountain.
Ahead of schedule with our itinerary we decided to backtrack and visit the Bay of Fires, since we had missed it earlier on in our trip.
Staying overnight at a river side caravan park at Deloraine. Boys played cricket and were surrounded by ducks wanting to join in! Very close to the train line, the first train through was quite a novelty for the boys. The ones that came through the night weren't as much fun!
Day 13 11/1/19 To Bay of Fires
About an hour and half drive we arrived into a free camp in the Bay of Fires (Cosy north). Amazing camp, right near the beach, with a toilet and free! There is no way it would be free in NSW. Very busy camp, we believe we scored the last site.
Bay of Fires is a rocky coastline with orange lichen growing on the rocks. With the bright blue water and white sand it really is beautiful. Boys had a great time rock climbing and playing at the beach.
Some quiet time, drawing, colouring and reflecting on our favourite parts of our trip, obviously we have exhausted the boys. For anyone who has been around them you would know they do not sit still by choice for very long!!
Day 14 12th January To Burnie
We head to Burnie to explore north west Tassie and prepare for our 4WD tag-a-long tour out in the Wild West!!
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