Tasmania’s West

Departing the South Cape, we began our drive towards the most well known of Tasmania’s parks, St Clair, and Cradle Mountain. Despite the close proximity (they are the same park) these two locations are over 200km apart by road (taking over 2.5 hours).  The only other path between them is the Overland track. 

Upon vising St Clair, we noticed an opening in the Overland Track booking about a week ahead.  After some discussion, we decided to book in for the hike.  With the remaining time left in the day we went for a kayak in the beautiful lake St Clair. It was too late in the day to see any Platypus (they are best seen at dawn/dusk). 


Given that we would be  hiking the overland track, and thus seeing the park later on, we started driving northwest.  After some reading, we decided to drive the western explorer road. This road links Stanley and Strahan.  It is mostly dirt, and runs through towering rainforest and plains and crosses the Huon river. 

On the way we explored the  Henty Dunes which tower over 30 meters tall.





This little guy hitched a ride on the ferry “Fatman” across the river.



While driving this road we tool the opportunity to drive as far west as possible. 
The monument here says:

“THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

I cast my pebble onto the shore of Eternity.

To be washed by the Ocean of time.

It has shape, form, and substance.

It is me.

One day I will be no more.

But my pebble will remain here.

On the shore of eternity.

Mute witness from the aeons.

That today I came and stood

At the edge of the world.

- Brian Inder –“

After finishing the explorer road, we visited Stanley (the nugget) and Railton.

One of the resident pademelons.










We also visited Sheffield. This town is unique, as it has a mural festival every year.  A mural is chosen from the contestants, and its added to the growing collection in the town.