West Tasmania...

After a busy time down on the Tasman Peninsula we headed back towards Hobart and then onto the wild west.


Frank dropped the kids and I off at the famous Hobart Salamanca Markets and graciously headed off to Woolies to stock up on fuel and supplies...what a good fella!!


Time was limited, all (3) kids got lost. The youngest was in tears...


Despite this, we loved the market. Full of great looking produce, arty crafty types, yummy food, flowers etc etc.

We then spent the night at Lake St. Clair which is at the southern end of the 'Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park'.

This huge lake is the deepest lake in Australia and was carved out by ice during 'glaciations' over the last (2) million years.

This is also were the Derwent River originates...

The kids had fun constructing with driftwood....

Charlie spent a bit of time releasing some 'I have been locked in a car all day' type of energy...

Frank, James and Ella also did a lengthy bush walk looking for platypus'. No luck unfortunately. 

As we headed towards Cradle Mountain we stopped at several places along the way and did some beautiful short walks.

We were able to visit a small length of The Franklin River . This ‘wild’ river is synonymous with Australia’s largest conservation battle.

Frank and I have vague memories in the early 80’s of conservationists (greenies) constantly in the news chaining themselves to trees and doing other brave, crazy things. Their aim was to save the Franklin River from a proposed hydro-electric power scheme which would have flooded the river.

Thank goodness these brave folks won the battle....

 Because it is truly spectacular.....

A beautiful 'Wild' river...

Untouched forests...

Lots of gorgeous small mosses and tree ferns....

amazing lichens......

and a gorgeous waterfall at the end of this short walk.....

Mother Nature at her best yet again......