Tasmania :: Day 03 Gowrie Park :: Cradle Mountain

The drive to Cradle Mountain was very different from when we were here last. The mist we met for a brief moment years ago didn’t return to greet us. We had to stop the car that time due to the limited visibility. This time, the air was very dry and warm. The white skeletons of the dead trees were accentuated by the green grass and pale blue sky.

We parked our car amongst thousands of others at the visitor centre. We bought a annual National Park Pass as Wineglass Bay and Mount Field formed part of our itinerary as well. A shuttle bus took us to the start of Dove Lake walk. This was another change from our previous trip whereby we drove ourselves there. There were red waratah (telopea) pixelated in the lush button grass landscape. There were lots of people at the car park. But once we started walking, like puff of smoke, they disappeared. Perhaps they were here for the “been there done that” photo only. We registered our walk in the hut at the bus stop. As the paths were quite narrow, they recommended people to walk clockwise. Of course there were clowns who went the opposite direction.

At the beginning, the path was gravel. Then it became a well maintained boardwalk. It was relatively flat but not wheelchair accessible in some parts. There were detours to Dove Lake itself. We dipped our feet in the pristine cold water.

The flora was in its summer glory. My eyes feasted on white blossoms of sassafras, boronia citriodora, red flowered pandanis, grass trees (richea pandanifolia), and showy honey myrtle (melaleuca nesophilia).

We had lunch at one of the square platform benches provided midway of our walk. We washed our hands with our lettuce leaves which made the children laugh. They were amazed to see how easily the tuna oil washed off with them. 

The rest of the way was undulating and was gradually grading up. There was one section of large trees where the boardwalk snaked through. Almost immediately after Christmas bells plant, there were steep steps shooting up. 

We found pink mountain berry (cyathodes parviflora) and I was tempted to try to eat it. But thought better of it.

Thomas made a friend and they chatted together as they walked. Time passed quickly for them.
They also hung out together on the bus. Gorgeous yellow Hibbertia procumbens lined part of the walk in some areas.

That evening, the children climbed into bed and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas.They slept well that night.