Tasmania Holiday – 2019 Day 8
Ian SchulzStrahan to Cradle Mountain
Up early and on the road headed to Cradle Mountain which all up was a pleasant 2.5-hour journey.
We stopped ever so briefly in Zeehan at the IGA for some supplies before pressing on. Next stop was the small town of Roseberry for some much-needed fuel to warm us up. A toasted sandwich and a mug of hot chocolate did just the trick as it was bitterly cold outside and still drizzling with rain. The Roseberry cafe was very welcoming and made for a great pit stop.
Once fed and warm we raced back to the car and on the road again. To keep things interesting we played I spy, one of our favourite road trip games. We became very creative as the scenery did not change significantly for some time, haha!
A rainy, windy, snow-covered Cradle Mountain
As we made our approach into cradle mountain and the Lake St Clair national park we were greeted again by rain, wind and evidence of snowfall during the night which still had not fully melted. Given the weather was not improving and we were too early to check in to our accommodation we stopped into the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery to take in some fantastic art and photography exhibits by the late landscape masters Olegas Truchannas and Peter Dombrovskis whos photo known as the “The Bend”, Franklin River spoke to so many people and so loudly that the damming of the Franklin came to an abrupt halt and saw it claimed as world heritage.
He may have perished in the wilderness doing what he did and loved best, but his works live on and continue to tell a remarkable story to inspire future generations and photographers alike.
Wildlife and waterfalls
Back out in the cold and in the car we drove further into the park spying wallabies grazing on fresh green shoots. We drove as far as the rangers station stopping to photograph the cascade falls next to Peppers lodge. These falls were fast and furious. With rain falling 300 days of the year it’s no wonder.
We ducked into the market located nearby for a sweet treat only to walk outside coming face to face with a wombat. Well, I don’t know who got more of a surprise him or us. He quickly scurried off, with us and some other passers-by closely following. When he pulled up around the back of the shop on a grassy paddock to feed we stood and ogled in awe. Wombats would have to be one of the cutest marsupials on the planet. Little kegs on legs but so adorable you want to give them a big cuddle.
Leaving him, we headed to our accommodation to check in. Having arrived at the cabin we unpacked, started the fire, and relaxed as visibility outside was low. We headed to dinner at Hellyer’s restaurant for three share plates. The perfect meal before relaxing in our spa with a glass of red, then retiring for the night.