More Tasmanian Adventures

Cradle Mountain Peaks


Tasmanian Sheep


Cygnet Sailboats


Dove Lake in Sun


Dove Lake Boathouse

We were warned by everyone when we said we were going to Tasmania that it would be cold, we figured that was just because everywhere else is Australia would be in the 80’s plus, so anything else than that would be cold to them.  Well, they were right.  Tasmania has been cold, and we are grateful for the warm cloths that we brought with us.  We have been here for almost four weeks, can that be right?  And just about every day we have had rain showers, and maybe two days that have been above 65F.  Granted, that is warmer than what you all experiencing, but cold for us.
 
We are seeing some magnificent places.  Don’t ever think that because Tasmania is an island state, that it can be seen in a few days.  I wonder if we will see most of it by the time we leave on the 10th.
 
 Last week we drove up to Cradle Mountain, listed  #5 on the World Heritage List, and after being there you can see why.  It is just amazing, such raw beauty!  The weather of Cradle Mountain is that one day out of ten will be fine.   Not great odds if you only plan to be there for a day, but because we had planned for two full days and two half days, we hoped that it would be good.  We “took the scenic route” twice on the way up to the Park.  Road signs here make the ones in NH look good.  Anyway, we arrive, check in, and take the shuttle bus from the Park entrance  down to Dove Lake.  The bus is really good, because the road is one lane, curvy and hilly.  It has lots of lay-by’s but you get a running commentary about the park and its uniqueness which makes it all the more interesting.  As we arrive at Dove Lake, we disembark figuring we would wander around until the next bus, but instead we hiked around the Lake, catching glimpses of Cradle Mountain, the waterfalls crashing down the mountain sides, the moss filled trees and forests.  Two hours later, we finish up in the drizzle and wind and sleet, and wait for the next bus to take us back to our warm room and a bottle of red.
 
The next day, we do a few ‘short walks’, only a K each, the Pencil Pine Forest, and the Enchanted Walk.  Totally different from each other, and both beautiful in their own way.  Then we set out on a two hour hike, in the drizzle, along the boardwalk, that takes you through the forest, heathland, scrubland, along a stream and back to the bus stop.    The next morning we awoke to blue sky and sunshine, and knowing how fleeting it can be, we checked out of our hotel, and headed back down to the park.  Amazing!  We were able to see the entire Cradle Mountain.  Yes, it was beautiful, but I think it is by far more dramatic with the clouds rolling in and out.   We were very lucky to see the Mountain.  In fact, one of the us drivers told us of a couple who had started out doing the Overland Pass, a 2-3 dayer, and turned around after five hours because they got tired of the snow they were hiking through.
 
Wednesday, we drove down to Cygnet, south of Hobart, to visit with Kate, the woman who helped us get this place for the six weeks we are here.  We had a lovely visit, met some great gardeners, and we will be spending Christmas with Kate, and I am to bring a pumpkin pie.  This will be interesting, because there aren’t any sugar pumpkins here in Australia, live or canned, so I am going to wing it and hope for the best.  I figure if I mix butternut squash and sweet potatoes, with the correct spices, we should be right.
 
Speaking of Christmas.  You wouldn’t know that is is a holiday happening in just a few days.  So far we have heard a total of 5 Christmas songs on the radio!  The Christmas trees for sale look like white pine tree tops cut from the forest, we have seen a few discrete decorations, and this weekend the frenzy of shopping, but honestly, there is none of the commercialization that there is back in the states.  It’s kind of refreshing in a way.
 
Tomorrow, we are off to Strahan, on the Gordon River, on the west coast of Tasmania.  We are signed up for the River Cruise that has very high marks.  Can’t tell you much, so I will report about it when we get back.  Then after Christmas, is Boxing Day, when we will celebrate Christmas with just the two of us, and phone our families at home in the cold and snow.  After that, the boats should be coming in the harbor from the Sydney to Hobart Race, and Hobart is hosting the Taste Festival, where the top producers of wine, beer, cheese, produce all get together to talk food.  I can hardly wait.  As you can see we are busy.
 
Merry Christmas to all of you, we will raise our glasses of Tasmanian bubbly in toast to family and friends, good health and good cheer.