Day 8: Sheffield, Cradle Mountain NP, and back to the mainland

Started the day with a quick breakfast in Launceston, a trip to the “post” and petrol station and then it was off west to the national park.  I stopped in Sheffield, a town of murals, for a quick coffee and some fudge (yes, the name of the store).  The murals proved a pleasant surprise. 

 



This was one of the older murals in the town - check out that artwork!

Then it was off through wicked windy roads to Cradle Mountain National Park – one of the most famous National Parks in Tasmania.  This first picture is of Mount Roland on the way west from Sheffield. 

 

Arrived at Cradle Mountain National Park and took a quick bus ride to Dove Lake.  The weather turned downright nasty – 11`C/51`F with driving misty rain.  Come to think of it, it reminded me of Seattle...

Hiked up literally crazy stairs plastered onto the sides of mountains, past Lilla Lake to Wombat Pool.  Crested the mountain in gale force winds and could barely stand at the top.  Met some lovely Aussies who took my picture at the top.  Then it was up over the crest down towards Cradle Lake. 

Lilla Lake...looks like something coming out of the mist.

Wombat Pools. I was supposed to have seen a bunch of wombats (as they are native to the park).  Even they thought the weather was terrible and stayed in their boroughs. 

Cresting at the top.  Supposedly on a good day you can see Cradle Mountain from here.  No such luck for me today, but spectacular views, nonetheless.

Cradle Lake

Past the lake, I hiked down these crazy wooden stairs through and literally in the trees on the Overland Track.  Overland track is a 5-9 day hike from Cradle Mountain in the north to Lake St. Clair in the south crossing the entire National Park. About 100 people embark on the path each day throughout the bush-walking season. I then came upon Cradle Falls and out onto more walking paths, for a brief time walking THE Overland Track.  Supposedly there are wombats out there, but none came out to play.

Cradle Falls on the way down from the peak.  Then it was back to Launceston to fly back to Melbourne.  Arrived late and crashed in the hotel…back to Shep tomorrow.