Cradle and all.

Blue sky, sunshine! Headed to Strahan so I  wouldn't backtrack over yesterday's road. Today there's plenty of traffic - every second vehicle is an RV or caravan. 

Strahan is the most prosperous town I have seen on the West Coast. The Gordon River Cruise and Wilderness Railway are big attractions. It is a pretty town.

Travelling towards Cradle Mountain National Park the weather changed again - cold and grey. The old mining towns of Zeehan and Roseberry didn't tempt me to stop although views of the rugged mountains did.

Cradle Mountain has changed enormously since I first saw it in 1974. Tourism is alive and more then well and everything is geared towards nourishing the day visitor.

     The brand new, not quite completed VIC.

The only access to the Park now during the day is via bus - operating at 15 minute intervals - which takes you to Dove Lake, stopping at Ronny Creek. There are many walking tracks available from 10 minutes to overnight and the beginning of the Overland Track (very regulated), still the jewel in Tassie's bushwalking crown. The car park under development will likely provide more than 1000 parks.

Rangers are not as friendly and helpful as our Nam/Tid people - it is all business! Despite a lot of signage a number of people are wearing thongs and inadequately dressed - it is 7 degrees!

 I caught the shuttle to Dove Lake and walked around a little.

This is Hansen's Peak - I walked up there in 1975 - it was hard then. Can't imagine doing it now!

The iconic view of the boathouse and Cradle Mountain - brooding against the grey sky.

                         Buttongrass

How could you not be enchanted by The Enchanted Forest walk?

There are people everywhere! I am torn between pleasure that people are using the Park and regret. Still the mountains and landscape are as compelling as ever.