SUNDAY – DECEMBER 22, 2013
BOTTOM LINE:
Day 3 - Cradle Mountain
hike
BACK STORY:
Our tour today began by
leaving Strahan by 8 am and making our way into the World Heritage of Cradle
Mountain National Park. Dove Lake sits
at the foot of Cradle Mtn. and has a good 3 mile hike around it. We were told that the hike would be a
leisurely two hour walk.
The weather was less
than cooperative as the heavy mist that had shrouded the mountain from
visibility quickly turned to rain. As
Bruce said, “we viewed the mist and missed the view!”
 |
| Cradle Mtn. & Dove Lake |
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| Fishing barn at foot of Dove Lake |
There was an extensive
wooden boardwalk for much of the hike, the rest being boulders, loose rock and
grated walkways…all of which were slick and slippery when wet. Thank goodness much of the wooden walks had
been covered with chicken wire to give us better traction.
One thing new that I
saw was a beautiful red spiky flower called the Waratah. Seeing spots of the crimson color contrasted
against the greens of the forest was like seeing Christmas ornaments scattered
in nature.
 |
| Waratah |
By the time we returned
to the “car park” I was soaked to the bones.
My rain slicker failed and all layers underneath were wet. Luckily I brought one extra top but was
lacking in anything of warmer.
On the way down the
mountain our group stopped at the town of Shefield where Bruce bought me a new
fleece jacket. With something warm on,
we were able to walk around the town that is known as the town of murals in
Tasmania. All available business walls
have been painted with historical murals…many of which are pretty nice.
Our nights stay was in
Rosebery on the coast in a YHA hostel.
The hostel was a refurbished large old home. The kitchen and gathering areas were large
and well equipped. Our room was private but had a jail cell feel to it with its
one high window and the white cinder block walls.
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