Trekking In Tasmania
I read everything - newspapers, fashion magazines (though you wouldn't know it looking at my travel photos), National Geographic, Outside Magazine (to name just some) and one day ran across a sentence stating...."Cradle Mountain, Tasmania is one of the finest treks in the World." Tasmania? All I knew about Tasmania was the Tasmanian Devil in Loony Tunes cartoons. Hmmm...where is Tasmania???
Tasmania is an island located about 125 miles below Australia (part of the Australian state) and separated by Bass Strait. Almost a third of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites. The early settlers were primarily convicts and the first penal settlement was established by the British in 1803 at Hobart. Other penal colonies were built at Port Arthur in the Southeast and Macquarie Harbour on the West coast.
There really is a Tasmanian Devil found only in Tasmania. It is a scavenger, the size of a small dog, and has a mean temper. There would be little to no chance of actually seeing one.
The Overland Track (considered "moderate") is Tasmania's premier long-distance (65km) bushwalk through varied terrain - rainforest, glacial lakes, and alpine ecosystems. It starts at Ronny Creek in the Cradle Valley and finishes at Lake St. Clair. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Not simple to get the necessary information B.I. (Before Internet) but my Travel Agent was a great source. While planning, my thinking process usually tracks along this line..."well, we have to fly to Australia in order to get to Tasmania...as long as we're going so far, let's spend time in New Guinea...." (But that's another unimaginably exciting and surreal experience that I'll write about later on.)
The Overland Track and Tasmania sounded interesting to me and ex-Marine (husband, Steve) especially after I discovered there was a guiding service. On to the intricate planning...
Spectacular "Fun Ship" Cruise Specials
