Search for the Tiger

Come morning I, as well as my tent, was frozen. A cold night, meant I slept very little. I tried to burrow down in my sleeping bag, but as the only one in the tent, and without all my personal gear, I suffered from cold feet for a majority of the night.

I did not realize just how cold it was outside however, until I crawled out of my tent and saw the frost and ice on the tent. A fellow camper had a glowing fire going that caught my eyes. I made my mind up then and there, that no matter what, I was going to make friends with him and warm up by his fire - even if it meant we would not be departing from the campsite at 7am like we planned. Simply put - I was just that cold and wasn't doing anything until I warmed up.

By the Lake

After it had warmed up a bit - the ice began to melt 

Sunrise. Sunrise...

By the river

Dew this morning was more like ice...

At the campsite that morning we did indeed get to warm up by the fire, and how lovely was it. Slowly I regained feeling in my toes and fingers and was feeling much happier and ready to conquer Craddle Mt.

When we got to the visitor's center we picked up a map of the area, seized up our route and headed off. To our delight, the trek took us across a portion of the Overland Track, the famous track that many thru-hikers camp along, which traverses Tasmania. 

The 3 amigos overlooking Dove Lake L-R Mesha, Gwenne, Manuela

view of Craddle Mt.

Mesha with Dove Lake in the background

Craddle Mt. again...

view from half way up the summit of Craddle Mt.

With the sun out and temperatures rising - it was definitely the makings of a fantastic day! It was often hard to put the camera down and to just take it all in...Along with the views, I enjoyed talking to other hikers along the way. Many people we met were from Melbourne, visiting Tazzy on holiday for a long weekend, but one couple strangely enough where from Coeur d'alene, Idaho, which is very close to where I attended uni, in Spokane, WA. This was a reminder of just how small the world sometimes is.

The openness of the tracks in Craddle Mt. National Park thrilled me. I loved being able to look over the valley, down at Dove Lake, and across the land. 

When we got to Kitchen Hut, an emergency shelter at the base of the summit of Craddle Mt. we found many other people resting up for the steep and semi-technical climb. We ate a snack and prepared. I was not sure how far I would hike, as my ankle had started to swell and my hip had been bothering throughout the day. I followed behind my mates up as far as perhaps half the summit when I decided to give in. I didn't want to further agravate my ankle, especially with us having a 3hr hike back to the car already. So I parked it on a nice flat rock and cheered them on. 

Mesha at her nap sight, halfway up the Summit of Craddle Mt. 

I can admit that upon that flat rock, that I soaked up the sun and great views of Craddle Mt. and Dove Lake, and took a nap. It was the best nap I have EVER had. 

I greeted hikers as they both came up and down from the summit. Most of them where worn out, out of breath, and happy to stop for a breather to talk to me.

I anxiously waited my mates to return from the top. As time dragged on, i considered fleeing to the car, to escape the park before dusk...I wondered if they were okay - and then then finally returned. We took an alternative track back to the car. We kept a fast pace at first - thinking if not, that we'd be caught in the dark. - But luckily we were faster than the predicted pace and made it back to within the car park long before the sunset. 

What greeted us along this last stretch of the hike was quite a surprise - Wombats! They were right along the track and oblivious to us. Cute and fluffy - I was tempted to give it a hug. I obviously didn't and took heaps of photos of it instead, as it munched on the grass. 

Craddle Mt. National Park

Wombat! We saw a handful of them! So cute.

That night at the campsite we met up with our friend from the previous morning, Jason. He was a solo traveler from Victoria that was enjoying Tazzy like us. He had a fire going which enticed us to join him for the night. Along with good conversation, we sat around the fire delighting in the splendor the the great outdoors and the full moon.

In the morning we packed up and went our separate ways. We decided to move on towards Hobart and to take time to see some more scenic sites along our route - like the Highland Lakes, Mt. Field, and the autumn colors present along the countryside. 

The Highland Lakes

Horseshoe Falls, Mt. Field National Park

Last campsite. I was delighted to wake up to sun!

Autumn Colors...

And then we headed back to Hobart, to hike around Mt. Wellington, before Manuela & I returned to the airport - to fly back to Melbourne. 

overlooking Hobart from Mt. Wellington

This guy was not far from the car park. - an Ekidna

After Mt. Wellington, we went part way down the Mt. to hike. We went to some water falls and enjoyed a picnic lunch before returning to the heart of the city.

We did a little shopping before heading to the waterfront for a nice last dinner in Tazzy. We went to Mures, for seafood. The fish, beer battered onion rings, and wine was superb. A great end to an amazing holiday, for sure. 

Back at the car we said our goodbyes. Gwenne was staying another week in Tazzy, while Manuela and I were flying back - to return to work.

The next 24 hours was quite long. There wasn't as much traffic as we predicted, and we finished dinner earlier than expected...and thus we returned the car and checked into the Hobart airport 3 hours before our flight - it was 7:30pm, Tuesday, April 19th. I wasn't back, in Eildon at my house until nearly 7:30pm, Wednesday. (I slept at the airport due to our flight getting in so late, and then had to wait around Melbourne until 4pm to catch the one and only 3 hour bus service to Eildon.

All in all, no regrets. I had a fab time in Tazzy and would enjoy going back in a heartbeat. I was lucky to have such good travel companions, the ability to borrow gear from work, and to have welcoming flatmates to come home too.

The only thing I regret is not seeing a Tasmanian Tiger. I was determined to see one...and attempted track them with little success. I guess I should be happy I saw wallabies and wombats up close and a Tazzy Devil run across the road.

But that does mean, the search for the Tiger continues...

Tazzy via Tent

For those of you longing for a blog update - here you go. (To be honest, this post was in response only to my sister's request for a new update.)

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Since moving to Eildon I have had very few adventures to report. I have loved every minute of my time here - working at OEG, living and hanging out with my flatmates and friends, and enjoying the relaxed nature of Australian country life.

Along with my flatmate I have visited local neighboring towns, and explored more of the surroundings of Eildon.

And for a while I was working heaps! It was usual for me to work 6 days on, 1 off, with one of the days being a long shift (Fridays, usually are 8-10hr days). I finally had a routine and was loving it. I had never been happier here in Oz. I was finally "living" here and becoming less of a tourist, or so I like to think.

However, with my time in Oz becoming shorter with each new day, I decided that one last major "tourist trip" was in order. - So I requested a week off, bought a ticket to Tasmania (or Tazzy as the Aussies and I say) and packed my bags.

Tazzy, a part of Oz, is the little island located off the southern tip of the mainland and is known for its fresh fish, fruit orchards, cold climate wines, and scenic beauty. After visiting and traveling up the east coast and across to the wild west, I can see why.

Upon arriving in Tazzy, we (I was happy to have two girls accompany me on my trip: one I met in Airlie Beach on my Whitsundays Sailing Trip, Manuela from Germany, the other whom I met in a hostel in Melbourne, Gwenne, from the Netherlands) were greeted with rain. We didn't let this damper our spirits however. After renting a car - we loaded our gear into it and zoomed off for the city...

I took this for my flatmate, before moving to Oz, she was a firefighter for 16 years!

Welcome to Hobart!
We went to the Information Center and asked about things to do with the poor weather. One suggestion, to visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory sparked my interest...

At Cadbury, immediately upon walking through the doors, we were given chocolate! It was fantastic. We paid a small amount to partake in a tour of the factory where we tasted raw chocolate and learned about the history of the company, and of course were given FREE samples again. My strong will power kept me from eating any...I'm not sure how I did this.

Cadbury Factory. (Cow reminds me of the one at the Tillamook Cheese Factory)

After Cadbury we visited the MONA, the Museum of Old & New Art. Basically put - it was a museum that showcased modern art alongside with classical art. Interesting to say the least. I think the best part of it - was the view of the city, from the museum...what can I say - at least it was free admission.

View of mist covered Hobart

After our adventures we went into the city for a nice meal out in North Hobart and then headed to Sorell to camp for the night - or so we thought. The campsite was non-existant. We eventually found a site to park the car overnight - but it was for Self-Contained vehicles only - NO TENTS. So - it was a night in the car...I slept in the driver's seat. It wasn't ideal, but, then again, unexpected things usually are what adventures are made from...right???

Morning couldn't come sooner than it did...unfortunately with morning, the sun did not come. So we ventured north, up the east coast, to Port Arthur, viewing some great sites along the way.

Our first real camp spot was just outside Freycinet National Park. While it didn't offer a toilet, it did offer fantastic views.

I borrowed a tent from work. Throughout the rain, it held up great.

View from the campsite of  the Hazards, Freycinet National Park

After a quick brekki we rushed off to the visitor's center at Freycinet National Park to get our Parks Pass and to do some hiking. We ended up doing the Circuit, which took us to Wineglass Bay Lookout, to the beach at Wineglass Bay, to Hazards Beach, and back. In total it was quite a few more kms than I anticipated in hiking - but was worth the magnificent views and peace that the wilderness brought. 

Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

That night we decided to have a picnic dinner at Honeymoon Bay. I can imagine with warmer weather and a richer sunset that the place could be quite romantic. In our case it was cold, and so bundled up, we quickly ate and headed back to our campsite.

Honeymoon Bay, Tasmania

My friends were tempted to climb Mt. Amos, in Freycinet National Park, but I read the warnings and heeded the advice of the rangers and kept us from attempting the hazardous climb. (The mountain is usually very slippery and dangerous to climb, with the terrain having no traction, which was described as "glass-like".  After the recent rain, the rangers told me that the rock was extra wet, and that then with the sun, the rock slowly would release absorbed water to the surface, making it yet again, challenging to tread upon.) I was happy to skip it. 

In place of hiking Mt. Amos we decided to do a short hike to Friendly Beaches and then make our way across Tasmania to the wild west and to Craddle Mt. National Park. 

Friendly Beaches & blue skies!

The Happy Trekker

Finally - Jumper-Free! The sun felt SO GOOD!

Along our way - we occasionally pulled over to soak up the great views and scenery that Tazzy offers. With vineyards, orchards, and kms of open country, it was hard not to smile as we drove west.

Breathtaking!!! view across the valley

Random stop at Leake Lake for a stretch and snack break.

Liffey Falls: L-R Maunela, Gwenne, & Mesha

Liffey Falls

Took a while to get here, but was worth it for sure!

Just outside Moina, we caught this stunning view of Mt. Roland. 

That night we camped at a great spot by the river. I was SO happy to crawl into my tent - despite being wrapped up in multiple warm layers of clothing.

With the idea of summiting Craddle Mt. in the morning, a 6-8hr hike, we decided to get up early enough to be leaving the campsite by 7am...

I knew morning would come quickly - so I did my best to get a good night's sleep. Little did I realize, just how cold it would get that night.