7/11 ferry ride, from kingfisher bay turned left uphill following tracks to lake mckenzie, turned left and headed to lake WA by.  Walked to lookout above lake WA by and then down to lake foe a swim with the many huge catfish, played with kids on water for about 1 hour before steep walk back to carpark- 3.4 klm round trip, 500m to lookout from carpark. Now following track to beach and from beach to Eurong to book into hotel. 

After lunch and check in we headed out to lake mckenzie for a look. Another beautiful drive through all types of forests and rain forests before arriving at lake mckenzie for a swim in it’s cystsl clear beautiful fresh water. We lazed, swam and played in the water until about 5pm before heading back to Eurong via central station. Lake mckenzie was an awesome place with beautiful white sandy beaches and cool clear water…a must visit.  Back at Eurong we drove down the beach a fee klms enjoying the sunset until heading back to the hotel room.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Leaving Cairns at 11am we planned to head towards Cowley Beach, hoping that the wind would drop and we could enjoy some boating around the Barnard Group of Islands.  On the way we dropped in at Josephine Falls for a looksy and also for a slide down the rocks.  By the time we got to the Falls the weather was bright and sunny and we enjoyed the refreshing swim in the cool mountain waters.  In all we spent a couple of hours at Josephine Falls sliding to the rocks into the pool below.   Bushman Bud and the kids had a ball sliding down in multiple combinations with the waterproof camera in hand.  We had an awesome time enjoying the adventure of a beautiful place.  Josephine Creek is fed from the towering Mt BArtle Frere, QLD’s highest peak at 1,622m and by the time the cascading waters reach the bottom they are icy cool and as fresh as water can taste…beautiful!

I mention Bartle Frere because it was here just over a year ago that Joey Jess and Bushman Bud climbed the peak, twice.  Once up the Western Route, which starts at Josephine Falls and once from the Eastern side.  Therefore Joey Jess was pretty excited about her return visit and walked some of teh path reminicing about her past achievements…good on you Joey Jess, a spectacular achievement at just seven years of age.

From Josephine Falls we travelled to Innisfail for lunch at the skate park where the kids had fun on their scooters.  I ate the last of my Red Claw BBQed in garlic and butter.  Leaving Innisfail we eventually arrived at a rather windy Cowley Beach, the caravan park deserted.  The interesting thing was that the lovely beach had been decimated by drift wood, obviously the carnage of the rampaging cyclone Yarsi this time last year…what a shame that this previously unspoilt beach and gateway to the Barnard Islands was damaged in such a way.  With the wind up and the beach a mess we reviewed the maps and headed towards Bingil Bay and Mission Beach.  I am glad we did because the drive into this place is spectacular and when you get there teh drive along the beach is very special.  We missed this coastline last year and alsmost again this year so it was good to have a visit, if not a fleeting visit, to investigate a place for a holiday in the future.  We ended up staying in the Council Park right on the beach front overlooking Dunk Island.  The scenery in this place just magnificent.  Unfortunately the wind was still blowing, meaning the boat stayed on the car roof, but on its day, the boating would be sensational around these parts.

In the evening I made a Halloween pumpkin for the kids and they enjoyed an hour of more “Trick & Treating.”  They did amazingly well given the tourist season is well and truly at an end in these parts.

We will continue down the coast today and see where we get to.  We are heading to JD’s farm for the 5 November in Bundaberg and then onto Fraser Island with “Bessy” on the 7,8 &9th November.  We then head to Brisbane for teh 11 November for our course “Design Your Destiny” with Christopher Howard, a person who has been responsible for massive changes in my life and one of the reasons I am fortunate to share these experiences with you.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

With very threatening rain across the gulf we had to make the sad decision to avoid the gravel roads along the Savanah Way and bottom of the Gulf.  This decison has since proved very wise with some areas through the Gulf receiving significant rainfall…getting stuck out in the middle of nowhere is not fun!

So, we left the very hot Elliot last night and travelled through to a rest area just North of Tennant Creek.  Rising in the morning we fueled up at Three Ways and crossed the NT/QLD border early afternoon.  We have had significant problems with water in the fuel ever since leaving Darwin and have had to continually clean the fuel filter.

It is probably best to note that we had planned to fish King Ash Bay around Borroloola and Bing Bong…simply we just ran out of time, needing to be back in Brisbane by 12 November for some personal development courses.

Moving on we hit Mount Isa late afternoon and fueled up and ate dinner in town.  We left Mt Isa on dusk heading for Cloncurry and then onto Kurumba where we were hoping to get some fishing in.

We finally got to 100klm South of Normanton and stayed in a rest area overnight.  Waking the net morning we passed through Normanton and then onto Kurumba where we spent less than 2 hours.  It was very windy and was to remain that way for the next few days, combined with rain also on the way we decided that it was not the place to bunk down for a few days…boredom would have set in big time.  So, saying goodbye to the windy and hot Kurumba we headed off towards Lake Tinaroo, one of our favourite haunts.  Luckily we still had the best part of the afternoon still to travel so off we went heading firstly for Normanton and then turning left onto the Gulf Developmental Road we fueled up in Croydon and headed to Georgetown arriving there at dusk for dinner.  We were sick of the car and wanted to get as close to Lake Tinaroo as possible so the following day was only a short one in the car.  We finally pulled over into a rest area just West of Ravenshoe (nice rest area) and crashed for the night.  Next day we headed into Atherton, through Tolga and into Lake Tinaroo…finally we had arrived, 3,500 klms later.  You beauty, time to relax, swim, scurf, fish and catch Red Claw…awesome!!

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

I thought I would list all the mountain peaks that we climb during our trip around Australia and rate them based on difficulty of the climb.

List of mountain peaks climbed in date order (most recent first), including height and state.

16/09/2010 Mt Bartle Frere, QLD (1,622m)Highest peak in Queensland***(also 5/10/2010 with Joey Jess)

26/3/2010 – Mt Ossa, TAS  (1,617m) Highest Peak in Tasmania *****

8/2/2010 – Cradle Mountain, TAS (1,545m) ** (also 16/3/2010)

5/2/2010 – Black Bluff, TAS (1,338m) ***

16/02/2010 – Mt Bogong, VIC (1,986m) Highest Peak in Victoria *****

14/01/2010 – Mt Koscuiszko, NSW (2,228m) Highest Peak in Australia *

29/12/2009 – Mt Warning, NSW (1,156) ***

Bluff Knoll, WA (1,095m)**

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

Dove Lake & Cradle Mtn

G’day all, this was one sensational adventure. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJMmfSBbw-Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adZAqCL7d4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52yvzWKpcmo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poAO1_JE6_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHqN39DD-04

We arrived at the Cradle Mtn-Lake St Clair National Park about 10:30am and it took half an hour to work out, firstly where we could drive in the park (for anyone who doesn’t know, you can’t just drive up to the car park, there are boom gates in the way to monitor traffic.  If the traffic is too heavy in the park, you need to get bus tickets to take you where you are going??  The trick is to drive up to the boom gates, if they open, great you are in! If not take a bus!) and secondly you would think you could find an information board which says “Cradle Mtn – that way!”  I suppose that’s why they encourage you to buy a map for $8.50 plus your National Pass – that is tourism for you, hey.

What you need to figure out is that there are several ways to get to Cradle Mtn summit.  Overland Track to Marions Lookout to Summit Track or Dove Lake Track to Face Track to Summit Track or Dove Lake Track to Marions Track to Overland Track to Summit Track.  That is just to get there!

We took the latter track and set off around Dove Lake which is just beautiful.  About 500m doen this track we turned on to Marions Lookout Track and started the steep ascent to about 1,000m.  This track is so steep that you need chains to assist you. 

At the top of Marions Lookout the vista is spectacular and you really have to just sit there for a while (how long that is, I don’t know – you make your mind up – it is just one of those delightful spots you just contemplate life for a while (or for those who know me – just Buddha).

Leaving Marions Lookout we headed up the Overland Track for another 2 klm before coming to the emergency weather hut – Kitcheners Hut.  The walk to Kitcheners Hut meanders up and down over gentle undulations with a great view over the National Park (NP) and you find yourself arriving at the summit track fairly quickly.

Up, up and then very, very steeply up the summit track you go.  There is nothing gentle about this track.  You start on a goat track, which quickly turns to small boulders which just as quickly turns into giant boulders and a real rock climb to the summit.  Once you hit the big boulders you really need your wits about you…place a foot or hand in the wrong place and the fall could be disasterous.  There are a couple of places up the climb and worse still on the way down that are very tricky to negotiate and really require care.  If you don’t like heights and the nervous pumping of the heart don’t do this one, you will be a bucket of nerves!!  You go straight up rock face of Cradle Mtn, down a small valley and then directly up again to the summit.  When on the climb…and it is a climb…you realise just how steep the climb is.  Breath taking in parts, sometimes because of the scenery and other times because you are scared stiff – especially with your 7 year old daughter in tow.  Just got to say how remarkable Joey Jess was to firstly give the climb a go and secondly to reach the summit – she’s a machine…that’s my girl!!

Climbing up Cradle Mtn you really get to appreciate the beauty of this monalith.  It has raw jagged edges and really looks as though someone got a giant bucket of great big boulders and dropped them out.  It is an awesome sight and one I will treasure for years to come.  A place of breath taking beauty is one way of describing it!

On the climb you get to appreciate the beauty of the NP as a whole from up above.  It is one of the prettiest and awe inspiring places I have visited and I am certainly looking forward to getting back there and doing more walks.  Everything about the park is amazing, a must see and do for any trip to Tassie. 

Making the summit was a challenge made all the more worth while by the awe inspiring vista.  There was some cloud around half of the surrounding countryside but the other half was blazing in clear blue skies.  At the summit there is also a bronze disc which marks the many other mountain peaks in the NP.  On the disc was Mt Ossa (Tasmania’s highest peak), some 30 klm off in the distance.  I look forward to meeting that mountain peak someday soon.

The descent is every bit as tricky as going up.  Real, and I mean real care needs to be taken here, it is very steep!!!!!!

Back at the bottom we turned right along the Face Track which follows Cradle Mtn in its hinterland.  You are still way up high and the vista is still very amazing.  This track is a little up and down, steep in places and really rough.  Watch out for falling rocks off Cradle Mtn here and soak up the great monalith and views doen to Dove Lake.  Once at the end of Cradle Mtn you can continue around the far side of Dove Lake up and over some lower mtn peaks or head straight down (literally) following the Face Track to Dove Lake.  We went down, again using chains due to the steepness and roughness of the track.  On the way down to Dove Lake we passed another lake (countless many of them) which was a pretty back drop with Cradle Mtn looming in the near distance.  You also pass a mtn creek flowing down from this lake to Dove Lake below.  Finally hitting Dove Lake we were happy to be walking on flat ground once more and some nice board walks.  I don’t remember too much of the walk around Dove Lake other than I kept thinking that I must come back and do the walk around the Lake again to appreciate it beauty.  Joey Jess and I were just too tired.

Half an hour later we were back at the car park.  Joey Jess had been telling me that she wanted to swim in the lake all day long.  Ok Jess off you go!  Somehow she managed to trick me into having a swim whilst only dangling her feet in the water – good on ya Jess, I guess you got me, huh.  The water was FREEZING, I kid you not, however I must say, extremely refreshing after a long days walk.  Enjoy the whole experience and brave the cold for a swim, it is refreshing and inspiring when you look back across the lake at Cradle Mtn and revisit your days achievement.

Awesome day, awesome climb, get into it.  We will visit the NP again and bring you more of the things to do and places to see.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivDR5tfTsuo

Black Bluff is 1,336m and is accessed via Taylors Flat on the Lagoona Road (approx 8-9 klms) West of Leven Canyon.  Taylors Flat is sign posted and once you get there you can see signs for the Black Bluff walk.

Half Way Up - I Hope!

Leaving Taylors Flat you walk along the Leven River for about 1.5 klms before heading towards the peak.  The first part of the walk is flat and then a a slight gradient starts as you leave the river.  This continues 1/3 of the way to the peak before you hit a mountain stream.  When wet, water cascades down here so you are walking in water and clambering over slippery rocks.  We had rain the previous 2 days which made the next 1/3 of the climb difficult and time consuming.  Almost immediately after coming out of the mountain stream you come to a plateau and after a few hundred metres you come across the amazing and spectacular view of Paddy’s Lake. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdhJaKJ4YpQ (Bushman Bud)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLUZHYm0sE0 (Girl Power at Paddy’s Lake)

Paddy's Lake - Later In Day

Paddy’s Lake is just over 1,000m above sea level and when you combine the lake and the mountainous Black Bluff in the near distance is makes for fantastic vista.  The track continues around Paddy’s Lake and before it continues upward there is a small clearing and a rock with a great view of the lake.  This is a great spot for lunch or at least a breather.  There is also a bigger clearing further around the lake just off the main track where there is a campsite beside the lake.  This has to be one of the prettiest campsites going around so if you are doing an overnighter enjoy it to yourself.

The last 1/3 of the climb, whilst not as difficult as the mountain stream is rugged and steep.  By this time (once Paddy’s Lake is reached) you are above the tree line so the view is spectacular.  Several hundred metres past Paddy’s lake is the intersection of the Penguin Cradle Mountain Track and the Black Buff Track.  

The last part of the climb circles behind the Bluff with the final 15 to 20m to the peak being a rock scramble.  You are of course met with unbelievable 360 degree views of the surrounding ranges.  At the peak you can gaze over the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park and ranges picking out the famous Cradle Mountain and along side it Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt Ossa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJwXwDdnJ74 (Bushman Bud)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0-BmhIf8eE (Girl Power Hits Top)

The climb took us 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit, stopping for regular breaks.  The mountain creek section with the kids was slow going and tiresome.  Saying that we all got to the top, Bushman Bud, Joey Jess(7), Orangatang Amy (5) and Lovely Lynda (age a secret!)  The kids getting to the top under their own steam – what more would you expect after doing Mt Bogong only a few weeks earlier.  The kids really are machines!  Awesome effort girls!

Going down was an easy stroll other than the mountain creek section which took some time to negotiate.  This part of the track is made worse because it is quite overgrown in areas.  The creek had dried up a little on the way down so the rocks scramble was not so slippery.  One problem with the track being overgrown is you can’t see where you are placing your feet.

Getting to the rain forest on the lower part of the track is a welcome relief knowing you are not far from the finish.  You then can hear the Leven River ambling by letting you know you have about 1.5 klms of easy walking.

It was a tough climb in sections but the rewards of Paddy’s Lake and the view from above make the experience all the more worth the effort.

The sign from the car park suggests a six hour return, this is wishful thinking for the average person.  We took 3 hours coming down making it 7 1/2 hours in total.  I would leave yourself at least 7 to 8 hours to be on the safe side.

Well I’ve been to the top and back and thoroughly enjoyed it, get out and give it a go, its part of enjoying the great outdoors.  When you are travelling around it is an awesome backyard to have at your doorstep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9IISnJb2tY

 

 

 

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Every cloud has a silver lining! It now gives us the opportunity to get our feet wet…so to speak…and find some Tasmania 4WDing.  I am checking my new maps for some areas and after lunch we will take a drive…

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia