Cradle Mountain - Rosebery

Awoke after a very cold night at 7am outside temp was showing 3.6o Got a fairly early start up to the mountain carpark. It was hard as it was just so cold. The first leg of the journey involved walking over fabulous mounds of grassy plains riddled with tiny streams running through them. They were so narrow, you could barely see them. All this was accessed via a raised walking platform which made destroying the environment difficult to do. Then some steps were climbed to enter a lovely waterfall.

This place was full of moss laden trees, hanging air ferns and was just full of life in the very cold morning air. Once more climbing was done we arrived at the Boat House and lake at the first level of the climb. Then there was more uphill climbing and even some sections involving chains to climb with and eventually reaching the viewing point that overlooked Dove Lake and the lake we’d just walked past.

Climbing up a rocky climb we were now walking along alpine grasses and rising to the next level of course. Some 2.5 hours in we reached the Camp Kitchen stop. Its an emergency camp site at the foot of Cradle Mountain.

We then started the upwards climb over the rocks to the point where we finally turned off at a 45o angle to the mountain. While the angle was less steep, the rocks started to get larger and larger, and then about 1 hour into this part they were boulders that were requiring anything from wedging through cracks to sliding up on your belly to get over them.

Sharon pulled out about 30 minutes into the walk as she was still recovering from her knee operations from a bike accident. After having both Steve and Wayne assist me on how to get over two tricky spots I decided we’d be here finishing off the last 100m of the climb over the next few days. I managed to climb ¾ of the way up the mountain. Steve said I was just 50m in total height short of the summit, but I think he was just being nice. I told the boys to head on up on their own and leave me to return back down the mountain.

At 1545m high it was a lovely day to enjoy the view. We were told that there are about 200 days a year that you can’t do the climb. If its raining you aren’t allowed to undertake the rock climb section. We couldn’t believe how lucky we were in the weather.

We also met a guy returning from the Overlander Trek. This is the walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Claire. A journey that takes anywhere from 4-10 days according to the registration book. This looks like the trip to do. The different environments that you walk through are just spectacular. You really understand how this place has gained its World Heritage Status.

After 8 hours of walking, climbing, rock climbing and lots of sliding on bums and hands, we finally returned to the base. We did see an enormous wombat feverishly munching on all the grass mounds on the return journey, as well as a baby echidna, sand snake, loads of skinks and a few birds. What an experience.

We slinked into the Resort’s bar for a quick drink and then decided to get a warmer nights’ sleep at the bottom of the hill, so stopped at the next town in the direction of Strahan we were heading to; Rosebery.

And here are just some of the flowers we saw on the walk...