Tasmania - part two!

Cradle Mountain National Park - high up in the west of Tasmania, the weather can be very mixed - it was just 4 degrees overnight. Luckily, it didn't rain too much during my trek around Dove Lake although views of Cradle Mountain were partially obscured by cloud. Its a popular spot for coach tours, but get 300m or so from the car park and the crowds (of noisy Asians!) start to thin out. A lovely walk, with plenty of interesting plants and flowers to look at in between admiring the mountains and lakes.

By way of contrast, Queenstown, on the west coast, has a long history of mineral extraction. Its now a deforested moonscape of poisoned soil and rocky waste. Quite despressing to drive through this area although there is a good steam railway - it used to be the sole mode of transport to the coast (for the mines) but its now restored as a pricey tourist attraction.

Deforestation is still a big issue in Tasmania - there are great tracts of bare hillsides - even some of the ancient forests are under threat - 600 year old giant trees being felled, to be pulped and turned into paper. Incredible, but true. Its not something the tourist board major on!

My final expedition was into the wilderness that makes up the South West National Park. This is an amazing place. Imagine the English Lake District, with one gravel road and 2 or 3 cars per hour. That's it! Some of the hiking trails take several days, with aircraft pick up when you get to the far end!

Ironically, the lakes which form a key part of the landscape are mostly man made, for hydro electric power. Lake Pedder is the largest body of fresh water in Australia.

...and last but not least, Hobart's harbour is just lovely - a perfect natural setting, lots of boats, and floating fish n chip restaurants!

Mount Wellington protects Hobart from the worst of the weather coming in from the west. It was snowing when I drove up there!

That was Tassie - I'll be back!