Freycinet National Park and Wine Glass Bay

Drove to Freycinet National Park about 3hrs Nth of Hobart.  The typical Aussie scrubby landscape gives way to colossal coastal boulder formations that seem to emerge from the sea (the photos don't do it justice).  On the sunny day we were there the red boulders were awe inspiring set against the hot blue sky.  We had a lovely lunch at Tombolo Freycinet Cafe in Coles Bay groovy music, nice food and quick.

Views towards Mount Amos and Mayson 

Jumping in to Muirs Beach at Coles Bay

A hot day to climb up and over to Wine Glass Bay

Rock Heads!

The reddish boulders that make Freycinet NP spectacular

Wine Glass Bay

Having a cool off at Wine Glass Bay

Launceston and Low Head Penguins

Low Head is an hours journey North of Launceston.  A small township on the top of Tasmania  with a few Light Houses and a sleepy harbour.  It was recommended as the place to see Fairy Penguins up close and not too touristy.  We just loved it, a small group of us waited for sun set then were guided down to the waters edge to wait for the penguins to emerge in batches from the sea.  After they stumble out onto shore they preen their feathers, then waddle up to their nests in the thickets where hungry babies awaited. The penguins are really noisy and make a weird crying squawking sound.  The visitors got to create a foot corridor for the penguins to walk up - Hollander's legs became the entry arch and Oren's the exit.

The Bee and Honey shop in Chudleigh

The Lady Launceston cruise up the Cataract Gorge

The Cataract Gorge

The light house at Low Head

Forming a penguin corridor

The thorny bushes that protect the nests

Hollander got to provide the penguin gate

Cradle Mountain in the mountain mist

Cradle Mountain National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Its very distinctive with sub alpine vegetation, glacial lakes and spectacular peaks. We just loved the walks in the area particularly on the day we were covered in mountain mist.  The kids were determined to climb Cradle Mnt peak but we weren't well prepared for it - we walked 4hrs but would have needed another 3 hrs to make the peak and back - so its on the agenda for next time.

King Solomon's Cave at Mole Creek

'Teeth' formation on the shawl.

Pencil Pine walk near the Interpretation Centre Cradle Mnt Nat. Park

Lots of Button Grass in the NP

'Fairy book' streams and moss in the Enchanted walk next to Peppers.

A wallaby - Tasmanian's call them Paddy-melons.

Beginning of the Overland Track 

Heading to Crater Lake

Crater Lake boat house

Walking up to Marion's look out in the mist

Love the view!

Cloud break on top of Marion's lookout

Dove Lake boat house

Cradle Mountain Peppers restaurant my idea of dinner while glam-ping 

Beautiful Cradle Mnt

Walking Lake Rodway Track over Hansons Peak - Oren in the distance.

Laying another stone on the cairn

Heading for Mordor! 

An echidna 

Climbing the chain assisted Hanson's peak

Walking to the Lake Rodway emergency shelter at the beginning of the Face Track to Cradle Mnt

In the emergency shelter

Descending the cliff - Oren goes off ahead