Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Tasmania Jan 2021: post Covid lock down get away

We planned our Covid friendly holiday for Jan 2021 in Tasmania just as the travel boarders reopened in Australia.  Alex had to work away from our base two weeks prior to avoid quarantine issues after a hot spot broke out but it was worth it as we had a wonderful holiday combining two different treks in the outdoors: a glamping one with Tasmanian Walking Company to 'The 3 Capes' on the Tasman Peninsula and a brief self directed camping one to The Walls of Jerusalem National Park - really hard but rewarding.  Had some nice historical accommodation stays at The Hadley's Orient in Hobart and Quamby Estate in Hagley before and after our hikes too.  We're now all wanting to go back and do the Overland Trek Cradle Mountain sometime in the future. Tasmania is a unique and spectacular place - a perfect destination to go to after a global pandemic lockdown!

Hadley's Orient Hotel 1834 Hobart






Salamanca markets in Hobarts wharf area.


Sustainable ecofriendly low fat meat popular in Tassie.

'Killed by a blow from a whale' a grave stone near Salamanca Place.

Atop of Mt Wellington - the coldest part of Hobart!




Spotting a wallaby on Mt Wellington.

Chillin on the lawns of the MONA




'Peacock and Jones' restaurant at the wharfs in Hobart




Denman's Cove opposite Port Arthur - the start of our 3 Capes walk.

To protect the natural environment from contaminants
we had to spray and brush our boots entering the National Parks. 






Crescent Lodge - very nice! the company's very stylish pods were air lifted
 into place and are minimal imprint. 

Card games with the other walkers in group.

Tasman Peninsula which has the highest vertical sea cliffs in Australia.





It was freezing in summer - the 'Roaring Forties' gale force winds
pass up from the Antarctic.

Scribbly Gum news! AKA Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie




Cape Pillar Lodge - toasty inside away from the freezing winds.



The Blade

Shear drops - approach with caution!

Architectural students designed features along the walk - Wicked Winds seat.

Tasman Island light house - three families once lived here to manage it.




The Trident




My beanie blew off here with the gale force winds!




The sea cliffs are made of dolerite columns.



Our lodge is the white speck on the top of the front peak.









Cape Hauy - The Candle Stick and Totem Pole which rock climbers
challenge themselves with.


Fortescue Bay the most beautiful aqua water to swim in particularly after
a very hard last day of walking.

Quamby Estate in Hagley

Service bells








At the start of the walk which was a steep ascent - a really tough start to the hike.



Hollander's gnocchi on camp stove.



Walking past Solomon's Jewels - mountain tarns.


Oren loving the serenity!


Approaching Wild Dog Creek campsite




Raised platforms for ecofriendly camping.





The possum that was sniffing and scratching around our tent at night,
broke into my pack which was under the tent fly and stole our Vita Wheat biscuits.
I snatched them back out of its paws when it was dazed by the torch light while it was
sitting under the tree nibbling on our limited food.


Small two man tents, not even thermals/polar fleece/puffer jacket/Gortex jacket
and beanie layers could keep me warm that night. There was snow a few weeks earlier
in the middle of summer.

Cradle Mountain National Park on the horizon. 

King David's Peak

On the path heading towards Solomon's Throne but not enough time to climb it.

Lake Salome

High alpine flowers and moss.





Black Tiger snake swimming away.

Saw lots of Echidna's feeding on ants. 


Cataract Gorge chairlift in Launceston