15 FEBRUARY
ULVERSTONE – CRADLE
LAKE NATIONAL PARK
We gradually packed
and set off for Cradle Mountain. We planned a day of a few stops.
We filled up with
petrol and stopped at BUTTON BEACH. I wandered along the pretty beach a bit and
put my feet in the water … the water was warm.
We were on our way to
Gunns Plains Cave. It was a nice scenic road of forests and farmlands. At a
river crossing, we stopped and watched the water cascading down the river.
Another short drive,
and we were at PRESTON FALLS. It was a short walk to the falls through
temperate rainforest. The falls were small in water volume but it looked pretty
as it dropped over the edge and plunged into the pool below.
It was a bit of a long
drive to LEVEN CANYON as the GPS sent us along heaps of roads. At the carpark,
we followed the track downhill through rainforest to the edge lookout. The view
was the very steep Leven canyon and the river below. The river was cascading
all along from our vantage point. We backtracked a short distance to the Forest
Stairs track that ascended steeply to the Cruickshank Lookout. We both that
the view was better. The track back to the carpark was gently sloping and easy.
It was a bit of a
drive to CRADLE MOUNTAIN. Our first stop was the National Park Visitors Centre
where we got advice and the shuttle bus tickets. Next, we checked into the
camping area and had well deserved few drinks and dinner.
16 FEBRUARY
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
We woke to light rain
and cloudy conditions. After breakfast we walked to the Visitors Centre and
caught the shuttle bus to Ronny Creek. Let the hike to DOVE LAKE begin .
We walked along a
boardwalk that skirted the edge of an open soggy plain. There were wombat holes
dotted around but we didn’t see any but there were lots of pooh to prove they
were there.
At the first track
junction, we took the track to Crater Lake. The track ascended along steps and
ground through thick and dense bush. The plants looked tough but seemed so
fragile at the same time. The track turned to steps that ascended steeply
through a rainforest. A creek and its pretty cascades flowed down beside us.
The steps changed from
wood to rock when we left the rainforest. At the summit we suddenly came across
CRATER LAKE. Wow! So calm, so pretty, so good to be here. At this point, we met
and chatted we a few other hikers – two girls doing the overland track and two
guys from Byron Bay hiking like we were. We kept meeting up with the guys as we
walked at different sections.
The track ascended
beside the lake and up to the junction of a number of paths. At this point, we
had great views over the lakes and surrounding mountains. We took the track
downwards towards WOMBAT POOL and Dove Lake. There were a number of pools along
this section. All so pretty. We stopped at LAKE LILLA, sat on a flat rock next
to the water and ate lunch with the Byron Boys.
We continued on to
Dove Lake, enjoyed the view and boarded the shuttle bus back to the visitors’
centre. It was now raining very lightly but increasing. Looks like our timing
was good.
17 FEBRUARY
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Our hike today was the CRADLE VALLEY BOARDWALK.
We caught the shuttle bus to the Interpretive Centre where the hike began. We
started in myrtle rainforest then passed heaps of button grass in the open
areas. The track was a boardwalk. There were two other sections of forest but
it was mainly button grass. Eventually, there was a number of views of Cradle
Mountain. It was all very pretty but we decided to stop at Snake Hill.
We caught the bus back
to the Interpretive Centre and walked the ENCHANTED FOREST track. It wasn’t
long but it was very pretty. There were many shades of green and a babbling
creek ran beside the track. It was all very hobbit-like.
We stopped for a few
drinks and food at Peppers which was an excellent way to finish walking.
18 FEBRUARY
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
The wind howled most
of the night with heavy rain. We woke to howling wind and off and on rain. We
decided that this would be a good lay-day.
We hung around the
campsite, tidied the van, investigated the next leg of our travel in Tassie and
caught up with my photos/videos. We keep some tasks for the doing days.
The weather was
predicted to be much better tomorrow.
19 FEBRUARY
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
We left the camp site
and packed near the NP visitor centre. We caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake
for a hike around DOVE LAKE.
A great hike. The
weather was sunny and warm and so we had great views of the mountains and lake
the whole hike. The hike was easier than our previous hikes. Maybe we are
getting use to long walks. The terrain changed from open views of the lakes and
mountains, rainforest, close to the lake, pebble beaches and some steps and
steep sections. All excellent.
Back at the visitor
centre and we were off for PENGUIN.
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