TASMANIA - DOVER - 15 to 19 MARCH 2022

 

15 MARCH

DOVER

After a late start we drove towards Dover. The weather started off with light rain but by Hobart it was pouring.

At Hobart, we stopped for petrol and groceries. The road was difficult due to the rain but it was pretty following the coast and down the Huon Valley.

It was a nice and quiet camp site near the beach. We crossed the road and walked along beach and foreshore path. There were heaps of live shellfish along the shore.

16 MARCH

DOVER

Time to explore. We drove to ROARING BEACH in Southport. A short hike to a pretty beach with waves but not much surfable quality.

At SOUTHPORT, we drove along the pretty shoreline road that had small shacks on the water side of the road. The river was tannin stained and natural.

Next stop, The HASTINGS CAVES STATE RESERVE. We had a swim in the forest thermal pool. The pool was a regular pool fed by the thermal waters of the area. A bit brisk for Jacinta.

We drove 5 kms up the road for the start of the NEWDEGATE CAVE tour. The cave was short but very big, high and wide. There were various formations, cave crickets and running water beneath us.

Back at camp, I had a cycle ride along the Dover foreshore. One section had a nice track.

17 MARCH

DOVER

The weather was warm and still. Jacinta helped me get the kayak to the beach and off I paddled to the distant islands – HOPE, FAITH AND CHARITY. The water was so clear – I could see the ocean floor, bull kelp, rocks and some small fish. I circumnavigated the two small islands which had a lot of birdlife then gradually paddled back to shore with a light wind behind me.

The day was so warm that we sat on the beach in the early afternoon and enjoyed the sunshine. I waded into the water to about bellybutton height … too cold.

In the late afternoon, we had a cycle along the Dover foreshore.

18 MARCH

DOVER

To cut a long story short, my credit card had been hacked a few days ago and we were going to Hobart to pick up a new card.

After our banking business, we drove SALAMANCA BAY AND BATTERY POINT. It was nice wandering the shops and looking at the old houses.

On the way back to Dover, we stopped at the NELSON SIGNAL STATION. The lookout was nice and the view over Hobart and the surrounding islands and peninsulas was panoramic.

19 MARCH

DOVER

We woke to blue sky. Time to move on!

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. 

TASMANIA - LAKE ST CLAIRE - 9 TO 10 MARCH 2022

 9 MARCH

LAKE ST CLAIRE

A cold night.

We walked down to the jetty and caught a speed boat/ferry to ECHO POINT on Lake St Claire. After a short ride, we were at the start of the track back to camp – 11 km. The track was mildly up and down through forests of various trees. The track surface was a little difficult to negotiate due the exposed tree roots and rocks. There were occasional views of the water. After a while, the track lost its excitement as it was more or less the same. Towards the end, we climbed a hill which was drier and dominated by bushed and eucalypts. There were a lot of birds in this area. The track joined on to the main trail and lead to the visitors’ centre. We had lunch there and wandered back to the camp.

10 MARCH

LAKE ST CLAIRE

Steve and Jerry left for Mount Field NP and we left for a kayak along part of the shoreline at Lake St Claire. There was a light wind and the water was very clear. It was so nice paddling along the shallow lake edge. The shore was mainly rocky with a few beaches. There was a river but I could only paddle up it a short distance.