Category Archives: Tasmania 2010

Day 2 in Tassie and we are now fully set up for our stay in Cradle Valley. After a recce and some planning we hope to do a half day walk around Dove Lake before the walk to Cradle Lake tomorrow. Or at least that was my plan.
Waking up to a bit of a drizzle and Kiara’s attempt at pancake without a recipe slowed things down a bit but we eventually got things organised, loaded some lunch and convinced Siobhan to, almost, dress appropriately.
We hoped on the bus to Dove lake about 10:00 and arrived at the car park in drizzle but the walk soon made it worth while despite the occasional whinge and whine.
The walk was mostly easy with some impressive views to the peaks. We even managed to find the odd native critter scuttling around the track. The only trick was keeping warm when we stopped to eat, but at least we where below the snow line.
The hike below Marion’s lookout also had some interesting sections as we clambered along metal tracks seemingly pinned against the side of cliff faces. When we finally got back near the car park the classical view up the lake from the boat house made it worth while.
To finish off the day we visited the Devil Experience to get a close up view of some devils and quolls from the Tasmania night life. Here are some pictures to cruise through from our day of adventure.

Officially our trip began on Tuesday 21st as we drove on board the Spirit of Tasmania. Having spent a morning on rushing around and last minute jobs we drove to Port Melbourne, only getting slightly lost, before joining a queue to wait.
The cruise was relatively uneventful which was just as well as our cabin was about the size of our bathroom with two double bunks and a bathroom stall squeezed in. The smorgasbord board dinner wasn’t too bad though and the cruise up the bay was impressive.
Waking early we found ourselves in Devonport at 6:30am and desperate for breakfast, which ended up being something unforgettable in a little bakery.
Now we were at a loose end in Tassie at 8:30. After a quick shop it was off to visit all the sights we could to fill time before going to our cabin at Cradle Valley. After a stop at ???? the Topiary capital of Tasmania we arrived at Sheffield the mural town. Despite some grief trying to get Siobhan to buy some sunglasses we did see some great murals, an impressive old merchants store and the alpaca man and it wasn’t even lunch!
Lunch was down by Lake Windamere? then on to Crater Valley via a few short cuts.
The Wilderness Village were we stayed was very comfortable with evidence of snow so we convinced Siobhan to buy a beany at the rangers centre as we planned our trips for the next few days and had our afternoon snack of hot chocolate and chips. Strangely there was no mobile phone reception but unfortunately plenty of television reception plus the odd visitor.
Thus we ended day one, tired but sated in some comfort with the promise of a fine day to come, or maybe some snow and rain.

Over the coming weeks I hope to post a summary of our trip to Tassie in the September holidays, together with some photos.