Two nights stay in the dorm was over and our stuff were all packed back in our backpacks again. Last day of the trip came, a signal that our trip is almost over in few hours. Three days was not enough to see the whole island of Tasmania but I am already thankful I had a chance to see some part of it. I wished my holiday will be longer, but I was not in Australia for touring but for work so I cannot really extend my holiday plan. I am lucky enough for having a chance to see the island even for just few days. Though it was the last day tour of the group, I was looking forward on that day like it was first day. Main reason of my excitement was because of Cradle Mountain, as mountain always amaze me whether I see it from a distance or up-close. I was delighted when I learned that the group will do a bit of trekking and bush walking in one of the famous national park in the island and in Australia.
Cradle Mountain
From Tullah (the place we stayed the two nights in Tasmania), we drove towards Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and we stayed in the road for at least an hour. On our way, I watched the surroundings attentively in my window and before we reached the parking area, there was a part of the road that we passed where I saw a seemingly endless wilderness. I felt I can’t get enough of what I am seeing at that time and I felt an overwhelming contentment in my heart for just being there at that moment. I cannot comprehend that I am actually seeing nature, vast space and remoteness of the place. My wandering thoughts stopped after the van parked near Dove Lake. We got off the vehicle from the parking and as we wait for the group to reassemble, we stopped near Dove Lake, a lake with amazing beautiful background of Cradle Mountain. After enjoying the lake up close, we started the trek and bush walk.
Dove Lake with Cradle Mountain
With Dove Lake Boatshed
We trekked Marions Lookout which is a great spot to see Cradle Mountain closer from the top. It is the same spot to see Dove Lake and Crater Lake which offers scenic views from the lookout and have 360 degree view of national park’s wilderness. The group had a great time not only for taking photos in the lookout but having fun in posing and jumping with beautiful scenery that surrounds everyone.
Dove Lake
Cradle Mountain
Crater Lake
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park
When we had enough in enjoying the scenery of the national parks wilderness from the lookout, we trekked down and continued bush walking. What great about the walk was we had a chance to see the beauty and remoteness of the place. The group followed the walking tracks in placed in the park and along the walks we spotted a wombat. Our walks continue as we reached the considered historical accommodation in Cradle Mountain which is Waldheim Chalet.
Waldheim Chalet
Waldheim Chalet is a restored or replica of the rustic homes of couple whom discovered the Cradle Mountain – Gustav and Kate Weindorfer. The said accommodation is the nearest one in the national park.
Sheffield – Town of Murals
After hiking in Cradle Mountain, we drove to Sheffield – a town of Murals where we took our lunch. After lunch, we walked around a bit and we found that its title of being Town of Murals is proven to be true and it stand on its title which made Sheffield an interesting place to visit.
Below are some of the murals that I was able to capture during the visit.
- Stillness and Warmth
First mural painted for town’s mural project which completed last 1986. The painting portrays Gustav Weindorfer who made effort to make Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair a National Park.
- Masonic Lodge Symbols
This mural (left) by John Lendis features some of the symbols found in a Freemason’s Lodge painted last 1992.
- The Hardest Years
Mural that depicts the typical rural life through a farmer and painted last year 2000 by Paul Wood and Mary Clancy.
- No Boundaries (Left) and Still Free (Right)
“No Boundaries” by Alicia Swiderski which inspired by children’s play.
“Still Free” by Keith & Loretta Sommer and Winner of the Peoples’ Choice Award at Mural Fest 2013
- Food Bowl
Demonstration mural at Mural Fest 2012 by Julian Bale & Others.
- “Hide and Seek”, “Poetic Stanza”, “Bonnie and Clyde”, & “Searching the Heart”
From Mural Fest 2013 (left to right):
“Hide and Seek” which painted by Loren Wiffin with the concept of the imagination wild and free.
“Poetic Stanza” created by Shannon Crees with thematic concerns of exotic surrealism and the boundless potential for beauty in utopian landscapes.
“Bonnie and Clyde” by John Eathorne and Leanne Tamas with the idea of Tasmanian convict woman breaks free, her cat awaits, both just a whisker away from the wild, both about to do a certain amount of unescourted roaming, while in their eyes, magic resides.
“Searching the Heart” by Heather Sprott with concept of Nature itself is “freedom unrestrained”
- Forth Falls
The mural depicts the second and most spectacular of a series of seven falls which once cascaded down Forth Falls Creek and flowed into the Forth River. Painted by John Lendis in year 1990.
- Tigers and Devils
Painted by John Lendis last year 2000.
- Christian Heritage
The historical roots of each Christian denomination in Kentish along with approximately 140 people are depicted in this mural. Created by Cheyne Purdue last 1988.
Here are other of snapshots around Sheffield.
Deloraine / Red Hills – 41 Degrees Salmon
Our last stop before we ended the last day tour was a salmon farm called 41 Degrees Salmon where we had a chance to taste some of its salmon. After tasting experience, the group had some fun with the farm’s dog named George.
Then, we headed to Launceston, where I stayed for the night before flying back to Melbourne the next morning, while some of the group ended their trip back to Hobart. Before I wrapped up my day, I had dinner in one of the diners in the city and had a bit of night walk just around my accommodation, it was a quiet night indeed in Launceston.
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