Debbie, who I met at Gowrie Park, was kind enough to give me a ride to Moina, the top of the big hill heading towards Cradle Mountain. That cut out a 500m hill climb (actually I am not sure exactly how much, but it was a massive hill).
So starting from Moina it was around a 300m steady climb up to Tasmania's most famous mountain and National Park, Cradle Mountain.
I had forgotten to switch on the cycle computer today so it was 10.8 miles and I didn't go fast.
It was fascinating as the landscape changed in front of my eyes. At the bottom of the hill near Moina it had been all rain forest, ferns. Now it was becoming alpine scrub, and many of the trees were dead.
The Camp Site - Discovery Holiday Parks, Cradle Mountain
Official Web Site
After arriving at the Park, I had a choice of putting up the tent or using this "Alpine hut" for the same price, $20. Of course I'd go for the hut. Temperatures at night were going to be very cold up here. That's a serious consideration if you are cycle touring. A sleeping bag that does for the rest of Tasmania won't do here, even in the middle of Summer.
Inside it was basically a large shed with minimal insulation on the roof only. There are 3 beds and just enough room to squeeze the bike in.
The Discovery Park has a shop with essentials in. I was getting ready for western Tasmania with a good supply of "Space food", stuff you can empty into a pan and heat.
It really was getting cold in the evening. There is a superb camp kitchen complete with real fireplaces. I took on the job of chief stoker and kept the fire going all night.
That night the temperature dropped to 6C, and I felt it. However Mole Creek had also dropped to that temperature so I wasn't too concerned.
Standard breakfast the next morning. Porridge, honey from the farm at Chudleigh, and dates, with a cuppa.
The facilities are very good here, although showers you have to pay for, and are time-limited.
The Hike to Cradle Mountain
There are many great walks in this National Park. The one most people do is to go around Dove Lake and up to Cradle Mountain. I took an age to get going and didn't think I had enough time, but started out.
Dove Lake is very serene. Cradle Mountain can be seen as the peak in the right background.
Heading up now, a steady climb at first, easy going
There are various lakes to overlook along the way.
The one above is called Wombat lake for obvious reasons!
Now at Marion's lookout. A great view over Dove Lake. I was told that on average the weather is clear only 1 day out of 5, so I was lucky.
I did indeed run out of time. The last part wasn't far but I would miss the last shuttle back to the visitor centre if I continued.
This is called the Kitchen Hut.
Heading back down now, I saw many trees, Australis Candalis, which I have several of in my back garden. I didn't know they were native to Australia.
The path down was precarious at times.
Back at Dove lake, can I get to the last shuttle? Walking as fast as I can.
Phew I made it back with minutes to spare. What a lovely walk, and a lovely day out. I'm very glad I took time to hike occasionally, it breaks up the monotony of cycling very well.
The Town
Cradle Mountain has a visitor centre and some other small attractions. People go there mostly for the walks, lakes and mountains. There is a shuttle bus that goes to Dove lake, or you can walk there but it's a very long way.
The Characters
In the camp kitchen, where so many conversations take place, I met a very interesting ranger who worked in central Australia for a decade with the Aboriginals. He told me many of their ways. I was interested how they dealt with deadly snake bites.
Their method is to shut down the body. Stay absolutely still for 24 hours. This way, he told me, their body can naturally remove the poison from the lymph glands. He says it would work for us too. It was a concern for me as mobile signal often did not work and I do not carry anti venom.
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