The weather was raining and cold, we had a nice warm house to relax in for a few days and while the temptation to just stay at Sisters beach was there, Janelle convinced Zane to see if we could book a night somewhere at Cradle Mountain. We were able to get a last minute room at Peppers Cradle mountain lodge. We left early and drove the 2 hours, hoping for an early check in. We were in luck (again!) and even got a room upgrade (winning!)
After lunch we went on the 'pencil pines waterfall walk'. An easy walk, along the boardwalk. The forest is thick with shrubs and moss covers virtually everything. It's like green carpet. The waterfall is right beside us, running fast from the rain. The sun is shining through the rain clouds & it's absolutely beautiful. I've actually never seen anything like it before. We also did the 'enchanted walk'. Similar to before, but wider and more to see. Lots of wombat burrows to peer into & pademelons hopping around. The walk was very magical. You dared not to walk from the path and damage even a stick. We enjoyed a lovely buffet dinner at the cradle mountain hotel and Janelle headed off on a night drive spotlight tour. She was stoked to see lots of wombats, brush tail possums, wallabies and pademelons. No Tassie devils unfortunately. However the tour guide has seen them a number of times before.
It was a cold night and we were thankful for the gas heater (which looked like a fire). Stella was a bit upset from it and none of us slept well. Zane and Stella went for a morning walk and were surprised to see our car windscreen and side mirrors were frozen! Apparently it got below zero...So glad we weren't in the camper trailer! Off we went to the visitor centre to buy our pass into the cradle mountain national park. The shuttle bus took us to Dove Lake where we were blessed with picturesque views of cradle mountain and the surrounding mountains and cliffs. The day was beautiful and sunny. We did the walk around dove lake which took around 2 hours. We saw the rocky cliff face of cradle mountain, and the rainforest through which the track was cut. Sassafras, King Billy pine and huon pine tree were all there. The track was mostly boardwalk with some sections of stairs, rock and puddles. There were lots of other hikers around on a day like this. Zane and Stella stopped and put their feet in the lake. Which was freezing!
After lunch we went on the 'pencil pines waterfall walk'. An easy walk, along the boardwalk. The forest is thick with shrubs and moss covers virtually everything. It's like green carpet. The waterfall is right beside us, running fast from the rain. The sun is shining through the rain clouds & it's absolutely beautiful. I've actually never seen anything like it before. We also did the 'enchanted walk'. Similar to before, but wider and more to see. Lots of wombat burrows to peer into & pademelons hopping around. The walk was very magical. You dared not to walk from the path and damage even a stick. We enjoyed a lovely buffet dinner at the cradle mountain hotel and Janelle headed off on a night drive spotlight tour. She was stoked to see lots of wombats, brush tail possums, wallabies and pademelons. No Tassie devils unfortunately. However the tour guide has seen them a number of times before.
It was a cold night and we were thankful for the gas heater (which looked like a fire). Stella was a bit upset from it and none of us slept well. Zane and Stella went for a morning walk and were surprised to see our car windscreen and side mirrors were frozen! Apparently it got below zero...So glad we weren't in the camper trailer! Off we went to the visitor centre to buy our pass into the cradle mountain national park. The shuttle bus took us to Dove Lake where we were blessed with picturesque views of cradle mountain and the surrounding mountains and cliffs. The day was beautiful and sunny. We did the walk around dove lake which took around 2 hours. We saw the rocky cliff face of cradle mountain, and the rainforest through which the track was cut. Sassafras, King Billy pine and huon pine tree were all there. The track was mostly boardwalk with some sections of stairs, rock and puddles. There were lots of other hikers around on a day like this. Zane and Stella stopped and put their feet in the lake. Which was freezing!