We travelled to Hobart’s Cadbury Chocolate Factory today in Claremont, Hobart.  Usually it costs $17.50 for a family to get in for a look, but today we were in luck…or were we.  Management has decided to try a new tour of the factory out and so were offering free admission.

Unfortunately I have to say right from the front that the whole Cadbury Factory tour is a load of rubbish.  Yes there is some chocolate tasting, yes you get to learn some history of the factory and Cadbury (probably the best part), yes you get to buy discount chocolate (but only seconds) and no you don’t actually get to tour the factory due to health regulations…apparently.  So if you were paying $17.50 you would feel ripped off…in fact a staff member we got talking to stated that management had received a whole swag of complaints.

So what happens to a trip to Cadbury.  You are welcomed through the door and get to pick a mini bar of chocolate (this is when they would also take your hard earned cash off of you).  Through the door you go and into a room with a few pictures, old photos and chocolate memorabillia.  There is a small chocolate making demonstration and a 3 piece bar of diary milk chocolate for the lucky onlookers.  Here you are then herded into a room where you watch a 6 minute video on Mr Cadbury and the factory.  I found the video informative but nothing special.  Following the video is a 5 minute Q & A session and then off you go to the staff canteen and shop area.  It was here I thought the real tour or adventure would begin…but oh what a disappointment, your journey sadly and abruptly ends.  Alas you can taste a very, very small amount of diary, dark and milk chocolate and then buy some food from the staff canteen, a hot chocolate for $4 or go to the chocolate shop.  Ouch, I was expecting windows where I could watch chocolate being made or something else…anything else…please…c’mon Cadbury, what a shame!

At the chocolate shop you get to buy a whole range of chocolate at the same price that you would pay in a supermarket (when on special) and factory seconds or almost out of date chocolate for really good prices.  The chocolate shop is however a little disappointing and could be made a whole lot more exciting.

What should they do?  At least allow you to taste all of the different varieties of chocolate they sell, make some kind of tour and perhaps invent some way of seeing at least some of the working factory.  A chocolate factory conjours up excitement, delicious choclate, mystery and adventure…yes maybe I watched Charlie & The Chocolate Factory too many times as a kid, but gees this place is boring.  Hey, a good judge is the kids and when kids walk away from a chocolate factory bored and plain annoyed that their parents took them there it speaks volumes…shame on you Cadbury, kids should have an experience.  Even McDonalds provides kids with a better experience and all they sell is junk food.

Don’t feel obliged, give it a miss and save $17.50

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Well we all made it up Cradle Mountain this time around.  Joey Jess (7) on her second run and Orangatang Amy (5) on her first attempt.  We followed the track from Dove Lake to the interection of the Overland Track and Dove Lake Track (about 300m from the carpark).  We turned left towards Dove Lake and followed the lake for 500m before turning right onto the Marion’s Lookout track (a steep track ascending the mountain almost directly up).  From the beautiful vista of Marions Lookout we joined up with the Overland Track and onto Kitcheners Hut and the intersection of the Overland Track, Face Track and Cradle Mtn summit track.  Onwards and upwards to the summit from there, including some great video blogs of the rock scramble showing some of the more difficult and steeper parts. 

After leaving the carpark about 11:45am we reached the summit of Cradle Mtn at 4:00pm.  The view was amazing with clear skies in every direction.  Unfortnately the metal disc at the summit showing all the other mountain peaks in the park was missing.  Was it stolen?  That would be my bet because it hardly needs maintenance!  It looked as though it had been souveniered similar to the Cape York sign at the northern tip of Australia.  What is happening to this great country of ours when these simple icons cannot be left alone to be enjoyed by all.

Anyhow, descending Cradle mountain we headed back to Marions Lookout and this time decided to follow the Overland Track back to Dove Lake car park.  This track is just as steep (if not steeper) leading down/or up from Marions (depending on which way you are going) so don’t be fooled that it may be the easier if the two tracks to Marion’s.  In fact my assessment is that it was the harder of the two tracks. 

The Overland Track is at least a couple of klms longer but does have the advantage of passing past a couple of beautiful inland lakes including the very quaint Wombat Pool.  We arrived at Wombat pool about 7:00pm and with the setting sun and Cradle Mtn and Marions Lookout in the back drop it was a very dreamy place indeed.

Back at the carpark about 7:40pm made for a long day.  The kids would have benefited taking the steep and shorter track back down from Marion’s Lookout, but hey, thats what happens walking in this great land of ours.

Cradle Mountain is an exciting climb and well worth the effort.  It is one of the places I relate to as a “place of breath taking beauty,” so get to Tassie and give it a go.  Apparently on a clear day the best views are early in the morning…so there is a parting hint.

Video blogs to follow.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

The weather has cleared and it is time to get the fitness level up to tackle Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak.  I have found a track into Mt Ossa away from the Overland Track which is a 36 klm round trip.  Far better than the trip up the Overland Track which is approx a 8o klm round trip.  I am planning to do the Mt Ossa trip in one day…so I need to be fit.

With all that said we are climbing Marions Peak and Cradle Mountain tommorrow.  Firstly because Lovely Lynda and Orangatang Amy didn’t make the climb the first time around due to sickness and secondly it will be a good fitness test for Bushman Bud and his Mt Ossa challenge.

The weather should be nice and clear up top with a sunny day forecast.  We will take off early and expect to make the climb within 7 hours.  Cradle Mtn is about 75 klms from camp, roughly about an hours drive from Mole Creek, so it will be a long day.

I must say though I am looking forward to getting up close and personal with Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain again…this part of Tasmania is spectacular.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

This campsite is so relaxing, kicking back in a chair, looking over the amazing forest vista, listening to the ever constant murmur of the Mersey River flowing over the nearby rocks watching the fish jumping and the platypus playing…it doesn’t get much better than this…other than if you get too hot the swimming hole is only metres away…magic!!!

Today we also headed to Liena and then along Gads Hill Road which is a very scenic forestry drive.  From there we found another beaut free camping spot on the banks of the Mersey River before heading up Lake Mackenzie Road to Devils Gullet, Lake Mackenzie and Fisher River Lookout.  All these locations have their separate write-ups so I won’t recount them here.  Only to say we had a great afternoon with some nice driving and very scenic countryside.  Have a read, check out the photos and videos or better still get here and see it for yourself.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzJS65mbxmc

This is a great drive through very scenic forestry and then up high to the scenic lookouts of Devils Gullet and Fisher River Lookout.  Throw in a side trip to Mackenzie Lake and the canals of its hydro scheme and you have a great day trip.  You could also combine a tour at either King Solomons Cave or Marakooper Cave.

The best route for this drive is to start at the Mole Creek Caravan Park at the intersection of Union Bridge Road and Liena Road.  Follow Liena Road through to Liena.  Once at Liena follow Echo Valley Road for a short while before branching right onto Gads Hill Road.  Gads Hill Road is a very scenic drive.  At the T intersection turn right into Olivers Road and this will take to a T intersection with Mersey Forest Road.  Turn right for a small distance before turning right at the sign post to Devils Gullet.  You should now be on Lake Mackenzie Road and 14 klms from the turn off to Devils Gullet Lookout (which is signposted).

Devils Gullet is a lookout over 230m sheer cliffs that have been shaped by ice and rain over millions of years.  In the distance is the vista of Cradle Mtn – Lake St Clair National Park and it many mountain peaks.  There is a board at the lookout pointing out the many peaks on display – namely Cradle Mountain off to the far right.

The lookout is a 530m walk from the car park on well maintained pathways.  It is level other than a 100m stretch which is a little steep in parts.

Leaving Devils Gullet car park turn right to visit Lake Mackenzie.  It takes a further 10 to 15 minutes to arrive at the dam wall.  Fishing, swimming and boating is on offer here as a moonscape lookout over the lake.  Following the road is the canal and aqueduct of the hydro scheme, which is worth a look itself.

The road finishes at the dam so turn around and head back.  About 5 klm past the turn off to Devils Gullet is the Fisher River Lookout.

The Fisher River Lookout is a beautiful vista over the Cradle Mtn – Lake St Clair National Park and highlights many of the towering peaks of the park.  Off in the distance is the famous Cradle Mtn and Mt Ossa (Tasmania’s highest peak).  There is a board which names all the various peaks you can see.  It is a great vista and well worth a look.

The lookout is best approached coming back down the road from Devils Gullet to make for easier parking and access.

The lookout is approximately 9klm up Lake Mackenzie Road turning off Mersey Forest Road.

Returning to the end of Lake Mackenzie Road turn right into Mersey Forest Road and follow the road back to Liena Road.  This completes the scenic loop.  Turn right into Liena Road which takes you back to Mole Creek.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia