Tasmanian Wilderness

The vast majority of people turn up at Dove Lake, do the loop around it and go home satisfied. My hand is up, that's exactly what I did first time. However, that represents about 10-15% of what's on offer and the shots of the iconic boatshed lead people to thinking it's unique. However, if you to the Crater Lake walk, you'll not only come across other lakes (Lilla, Crater and Wombat Pool) and tarns, but also another boatshed on Crater Lake, as shown here. It's a great walk, takes about 3 hours and is scenic all the way.

Then the top of Little Horn peeps up on the horizon, maybe I’m getting close I think. Within another 20 metres the whole purpose of the excursion becomes apparent. The vista before me is simply breathtaking. Twisted Lakes is but a mirror, everything I’d hoped and planned for has come to fruition.
When you come upon something as good as this, it’s overwhelming. The sheer majesty of the panorama engulfs you, its power makes you feel so humble in its presence, there’s a distinct aura of “something else”, but it’s indefinable. It’s all my grey matter can do to remind me that I’m here to actually take photos. You just don’t want to stop looking for fear that it will all go away and you’ll be denied any more pleasure; but it stays as I set up the tripod. It’s not often I put myself in the picture, but here I feel it’s a must. Then I can look at it and remember just where I sat and how good it was.
There are many angles to be had here. Faint trails indicate where other photographers have been, little flattened sections indicative of footfalls. It takes me around 15 minutes to get what I came for and then I sit down and enjoy breakfast, although “enjoy” seems like a totally inadequate verb in this case, there is a higher plane involved here, one you get to experience so few times in life.
The cloud has started to form more seriously now, as predicted, and it adds a little to the experience. Changing lens and shifting position constantly I can but hope I’ve got it covered and, even as I’m moving around, the first gentle ripples of the day’s breezes disturb the surface. Had I been here any later I would have missed it. You like to think it’s good fortune but reflect on that fact that you’ve planned it for a week, constantly following the weather patterns, in the hope that you’ll get it right and leaving early enough to avoid all the problems that occur later.
#Nature

Crater Lake was the first of my expeditions away from Dove Lake. It's just as pretty but the walk is tougher and longer. You can hike there and back (roughly around 3 hours) or you can do a loop and get picked up by the service bus. That takes around the same time but you get to see more and varied scenery.

This is the shot most people take of Dove Lake. I just happened to get up a lot earlier than most to attain the best lighting. The walk around takes around 2 hours but is easy and you're on boardwalk or even ground most of the way.
I'll post some other places that I think you should consider if you go there because Cradle Mountain N.P. is a whole lot more than just Dove Lake.

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Activities

Popular places to visit

Gordon Dam

You can find out about the history of Southwest with a stop at Gordon Dam. You can enjoy the restaurants while in the area.

Australia featuring general coastal views and waves

Southwest National Park

Explore the great outdoors at Southwest National Park, a lovely green space in Southwest. Wander the rainforest and waterfront while you're in the area.

Macquarie Heads featuring a beach, a lighthouse and a river or creek

Southwest Conservation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Southwest Conservation Area, a lovely green space in Southwest. Wander the rainforest and waterfront while you're in the area.

Mount Field National Park

A glorious mix of fern forests, alpine heathlands, pristine waterways and cascading waterfalls, all accessible via pretty pathways, await in this park not far from Hobart.

Teds Beach

Explore the great outdoors at Teds Beach, a lovely green space in Southwest. While you're in the area, stroll along the beaches.

Lake Pedder Lookout

Learn about the local history of Southwest when you spend time at Lake Pedder Lookout. You can enjoy the restaurants while in the area.

Top Tasmanian Wilderness Hotel Deals

Gold Rush Inn

65 Batchelor Street Queenstown TAS

Strahan Village

The Esplanade Strahan TAS

BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat

8-10 Innes St Strahan TAS

Huon Bush Retreats

300 Browns Road, Ranelagh Ranelagh TAS

Franklin Manor

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Mövenpick Hotel Hobart

28 ELIZABETH STREET Hobart TAS

ibis Styles Hobart

173 Macquarie Street Hobart TAS

Doubletree By Hilton Hobart

179 Macquarie St Hobart TAS

Allurity Hotel

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