Absolutely gorgeous day.
We went on a 4.5 hour boat ride covering Macquarie Harbor and Gordon River - just beautiful. For the first part of the ride -- we went out in Macquarie Harbor through Hells Gates and out into the Southern Ocean (for about 100m). Then we turned back towards the Gordon River -- passing by several salmon farms (explaining all of the Atlantic Salmon that you see in Tasmania). We made a couple of stops -- on the Gordon River, we stopped to do a short walk through the forest and then back in Macquarie Harbor we stopped at Sarah Island which was a penal station in the 1800s. Note about the Gordon River -- the water is tea-colored -- it's not pollution -- it's due to the tannin that runs off from the button grass that grows all over the place. Boat note: we were in "premium" class and it was great -- nice big seats slanted so that you always had a great view + the food was excellent (especially the cheese plates) + free wine + all food/wine was Tasmanian.
We went on a 4.5 hour boat ride covering Macquarie Harbor and Gordon River - just beautiful. For the first part of the ride -- we went out in Macquarie Harbor through Hells Gates and out into the Southern Ocean (for about 100m). Then we turned back towards the Gordon River -- passing by several salmon farms (explaining all of the Atlantic Salmon that you see in Tasmania). We made a couple of stops -- on the Gordon River, we stopped to do a short walk through the forest and then back in Macquarie Harbor we stopped at Sarah Island which was a penal station in the 1800s. Note about the Gordon River -- the water is tea-colored -- it's not pollution -- it's due to the tannin that runs off from the button grass that grows all over the place. Boat note: we were in "premium" class and it was great -- nice big seats slanted so that you always had a great view + the food was excellent (especially the cheese plates) + free wine + all food/wine was Tasmanian.
After the boat ride, we walked around Strahan for a bit -- not much of a town -- easily covered in 15 minutes.
Then we drove up to Cradle Mountain (with a pit stop in Tullah -- small town built up around a hydro plant). We are staying at Cradle Mountain Lodge for 2 nights. Most of the lodging is in cabins w/gas-burning fireplaces -- very nice & cosy.
Lots of wildlife at Cradle Mountain --- possums, wallabies (Bennett's and Rufus (aka pademelons), and wombats are everywhere at night. Also lots of birds -- Currawongs, Rosellas, Wattlebirds, and Honeyeaters. Cradle Mountain was the last refuge for the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger, the largest man-eating marsupial in the world.
Most of the wildlife is nocturnal -- so I went on a wild-life spotting trip into the park (in a small parks' bus). Tons of animals -- very cool (although hard to take pictures at night!).
Fun facts about Tasmania -- it's almost 50% national parks. And, it was originally known as Van Diemen's Land (well at least to the Europeans).
Fun fact about wombats -- they have backwards pouches --- they are big diggers -- and with the pouch facing the other way, they don't have to worry about their pouch filling up with dirt.
Then we drove up to Cradle Mountain (with a pit stop in Tullah -- small town built up around a hydro plant). We are staying at Cradle Mountain Lodge for 2 nights. Most of the lodging is in cabins w/gas-burning fireplaces -- very nice & cosy.
Lots of wildlife at Cradle Mountain --- possums, wallabies (Bennett's and Rufus (aka pademelons), and wombats are everywhere at night. Also lots of birds -- Currawongs, Rosellas, Wattlebirds, and Honeyeaters. Cradle Mountain was the last refuge for the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger, the largest man-eating marsupial in the world.
Most of the wildlife is nocturnal -- so I went on a wild-life spotting trip into the park (in a small parks' bus). Tons of animals -- very cool (although hard to take pictures at night!).
Fun facts about Tasmania -- it's almost 50% national parks. And, it was originally known as Van Diemen's Land (well at least to the Europeans).
Fun fact about wombats -- they have backwards pouches --- they are big diggers -- and with the pouch facing the other way, they don't have to worry about their pouch filling up with dirt.
Weather: early morning fog, sunny for the rest of the day, 50 - 70F
Miles Walked: 3.4
kms in a Bus: 147.4
Miles Walked: 3.4
kms in a Bus: 147.4
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| Sassafrass |
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| Approach to Hells Gates |
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| Wombat (Cradle Lake) |
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