Time for a trek up Cradle Mountain

I'll begin by saying this is not the best hostel I've ever stayed at.  A bit on the dirty side, I could feel every spring in my bed, once again there was a snorer and for some reason people think it's fine to turn on the lights in the room at all hours...not typical hostel etiquette.  Either way I was up at 6:30am ready to head off to Cradle Mountain...about a 2 hour drive away.

But not before I picked up my unexpected guest at another hostel in town.  It's interesting how some people have no problem pushing their agenda on you without really asking.  Although my newest travel companion was very nice...she was a park ranger from Scotland, now living in New Zealand...she had no problem expecting me to pick her up at her hostel, stop to buy supplies, take some time to visit a local community, dump her garbage, and drive her 200 km all for free...not to mention making me two hours late to my destination. Just shows everyone is different, with different degrees of limitations...and it did add to the whole adventure.  

As I mentioned we did stop along the way at a little town called Sheffield...the town of murals.  It was a quaint little town known for it's many murals depicting the local history...all done by local and mainland Australian artists.

       

From here we travelled another hour through beautiful countryside, across a mountain along a very winding road...I'm getting much better at driving with these types of turns! We arrived at Cradle Mounain around 11am and I was finally on my way by 11:30 am.  Apparently it rains her 270+ days a year, so it was great luck that today was a spectacular sunny day with a nice breeze...20 degrees on the mountain, 27 degrees in town.

      

I decided to do a few treks that would take about 3 hours in total...most of it seemed uphill, but at least I wasn't doing the 6 day trek my travel companion was doing!  The trails consisted of some well constructed boardwalks and stairs, to boulder steps and well maintained rock paths.  It was absolutely beautiful out in the open...love the sounds of the birds and the incredible views.  

                                 

After the first hour of trekking I came to the end of my first trail...now it was time to decide if I wanted to go up the very steep hike to Marion's Lookout.  After having my packed lunch while looking at this...

        

I decided I didn't come all this way to not go to the top.  So off I went up the mountain in the hot sun.  Lots of rock steps to climb and a 100 foot section that was so steep you had to pull yourself up with a chain railing.  Just when I thought I was at the top, I looked around and noticed everyone else was still going up...so off I went for another 10 minutes to the top.

        

My journey was worth every step...beautiful lakes and mountains close up and in the distance...crystal clear views, with a welcomed wind at the lookout...about 5000 feet high.

       

       

Once I had a bit of a rest and took in some of the scenery, it was time to head down...not nearly as gruelling as going up.  From here I decided to take a trek towards Dove Cove.  Not as demanding as the first half of my day and filled with hiking in the forest, in the open and along some lovely bodies of water...would love to have jumped in I was getting so hot!

                                    

                                 

At about 2:30pm...exactly 3 hours from the beginning of my journey...I was back at the Dove Cove car park waiting for my shuttle back to my car...tired, sweaty and in need of some more water.  I was back on the road by 3:30pm...I love having a car...heading back to Sheffield to check out a unique marble shop I saw earlier.  

I arrived in time to check out some of the handmade items...even got to see the owner in action and chat with her about how she makes glass marbles....very cool!

        

I also saw the most unique marble maze that continually had marbles falling from the top to the bottom...very mesmerizing to watch.

                                   

And of course being the type of person who loves to purchase unique items from my travels, I purchased my very own little marble before I left.  

While in town I took a few more photos of some of the murals...they even have a mural festival each year.  Here is a little glimpse of some of the pieces...

                                   

                                   

Finally I decided I needed some supper and came across the following sign...who couldn't resist scallop pie...delicious and just what I needed.

                                

The next hour I spent admiring the Tassie countryside and snapping some shots as I drove back to Launceston...lots of hay bails, sheep, cows and even lavender fields.

       

Arrived back at my hostel...got a well needed shower and spent the rest of the evening watching James Bond.  Back to Hobart tomorrow to return my car and head to Mona.  Looks like it will be a rainy day, so sounds perfect to be visiting a museum...and may even get a bit of time in at the chocolate factory.

Until tomorrow...