I just discovered a wonderful hiking destination right on my doorstep – Tasmania..! After a two week whirlwind tour of Tassie, I found that this Island has so much to offer for the person who enjoys outdoor activities. I have been to Tasmania many times for work at the Rio Tinto smelter at Bell Bay just north of Launceston. Bell Bay is the oldest aluminium smelter in the Southern Hemisphere and is still operating after 60 years in spite of several threats of closure over its lifetime.
The tour started in Launceston and proceeded west to Cradle Mountain for 3 days, followed by the west coast for 2 days then onto Hobart for 1 day followed by 4 days on the (50km) Three Capes Track on East Coast which was the highlight of the trip. The tour finished up with a quick visit to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park before returning to Launceston via the North East Coast which (believe it or not) boasts the Number 11 Links Golf Course in the World… Barnbougle Public Golf Course..!
Below is a selection of photos showing the highlights of the trip. Also I have included the food and gear list for Three Capes Track as the first attachment (MS Word File).
Food and gear list for Three Capes Track
Dove Lake with Cradle Mountain in background
Eastern spotted Quoll
Dove Lake from top of Cradle Mountain (looking north roughly)
Echidna with snout buried looking for ants..!
Hells Gates at entry to Macquarie Harbour…so named by convicts about to experience the worst place of their lives…Sarah Island.
The infamous Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour – one of the most brutal prison islands in the British probation system of the 1800s. Five hundred convicts and military lived on this island at its peak..!
One of the luxury huts on Three Capes Track
View of Munro Bight from second hut
On the track (or rather boardwalk) to Cape Pillar…!
The blade at Cape Pillar with Tasman Island in the background. This is a popular climbing destination.
Munro Bight on last sector – Cape Pillar is at left hand end of the Bight
End of Track at Fortescue Bay
Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park
Heading into the unknown in Wineglass Bay..!