TASMANIA - MOUNT FIELD NATIONAL PARK - 10 TO 15 MARCH 2022

10 MARCH

MOUNT FIELD NP

Goodbye to Lake St Claire ack on the road and we decided to head to MOUNT FIELD NP with a stop at Ouse for groceries and petrol. It was a nice drive through forest, farms, steep hills and windy roads.

We settled into camp in a site next to S and J.

11MARCH

MOUNT FIELD NP

Jacinta wanted a rest day so I did the THREE FALLS TRACK. A great hike past, yes, three waterfalls – RUSSELL FALLS, HORSESHOE FALLS AND LADY BARRON FALLS. They were all sensational falls, especially Russell Falls. The track was easy but there were two series of long and steep steps.

Back at camp, I had an easy afternoon.

In the night, we wandered down to the grotto at Russell Falls and spotted the glow worms in the dark.

12 MARCH

MOUNT FIELD NP

Steve and Jerry left this morning and we were off for an alpine hike in Mount Field NP.

We drove 16 km on a not too bad gravel road to the carpark at Lake Dobson. The track started at Lake Dobson winding its way around the lake edge pass flowering bushes and pencil pine trees. The track diverged and lead upwards with views of the lake below. The track ended at a road which we followed. The road was very steep. Finally, we came across the Snow Gum Track. This track followed a wildly meandering path over large angular rocks. It was difficult at times to keep one’s balance. There were great views of Lake Seal and the surrounding green covered mountains. We diverged onto the track towards Tarn Shelf. The track was mainly a narrow boardwalk above waterlogged land and alpine shrubbery. There were awesome views across the countryside, the rocky alpine mountains and numerous glacial lakes. We stopped where the tracks joined for the Rodway Range and the Tarn Shelf. The view was inspiring! We had a snack and enjoy the feel of the mountains. At this point, we returned backtracking our way but skirting around the Snow Gum Track. A great hike.

Back at camp, we had lunch at the camp café and planned our future journey.

13 MARCH

MOUNT FIELD NP

It was Jacinta’s birthday today. A bit hard to celebrate in the wilderness of sorts.

We had a very easy day as J wanted and late in the afternoon, we had a stroll to RUSSELL FALLS.

14 MARCH

MOUNT FIELD NP

We drove the long road to GORDON DAM and back.

The views along the way were sensational. The steep mountains were up close and personal. The roads were windy and steep. The forests were thick. The lakes were huge and on a backdrop of mountains.

The Gordon Dam was impression – steep walls, a walk across the top, views of the dam below on both sides and the gorge was narrow.

We had lunch at the Wilderness Lodge. Great view but food was at a snail’s pace.

We stopped at LAKE PEDDER and I had a kayak around the bay and one of the lake islands. A glassy paddle but get too close to shore and the bugs attacked on a massive scale. Right up the nose! Haha.

15 MARCH

MOUNT FIELD NP

We woke, packed and set off for new horizons.