Cradle Mountain - Crater Falls

Crater Falls was the scenic destination for todays outing. This Fall is situated in Cradle Mountain. I was lucky enough to explore this destination with my eldest daughter. 

The start of the walk is a drop off on the bus to Ronny Carpark. This also is the start of the Overland Track. (Photo was taken at the end of our walk hence the drenched look after walking in the rain). 

The start of this walk was flat and on a board walk which went over a lot of flowing water coming from the hillsides. We were lucky enough to wander past some Wombats who were chilling near the boardwalk munching on grass. We walked past four different Wombats. 

The scenery although overcast and misty with a hint of rain, was gorgeous. The flat plains filled with flora and fauna was the perfect environment for the start of this walk. 

After crossing a bridge, we started the ascend which was a gradual incline up a hill. As we approached the waterfall the roar of Crater Creek was inviting us closer. The scenery changed as we began to walk under a green capped landscape full of trees and rocks. The track had a lot of water on it which was slowly soaking in to our boots. 

We finally made it to Crater Falls to find a huge amount of water falling over the top cascading to the ground. 

We spent some time taking some photos of Crater Falls and as we kept climbing the hill the waterfall kept appearing showing its full capacity. It is quite a long waterfall. We continued uphill as we wanted to find the boat shed on the corner of Crater Lake. This was the hilly part which put my fitness to the test especially in the freezing cold air.  We finally came to the peak of the hill and then walked for a short amount of time to the boat shed.

This boat shed was under water and tucked away in the corner of Crater Lake. We ventured a little further to get some photos of the misty, hidden Crater Lake at the base of a mountain. In the very distance at the top of the mountain was another waterfall. 

We could have kept walking this track down to Dove Lake and if the weather was slightly better we would have but we decided to turn on our heels and head back the way we came because it was more covered and protected from the wind and rain. 

We were absolutely drenched by the time we got back to Ronny Creek carpark and jumped on the bus. I think if you have a decent pair of boots and a good raincoat then you can survive the Tassie wilderness. The amount of people that had jeans, sandshoes or even Converse would get a pretty quick shock at how the weather can turn and affect your comfort ability. I also suggest you don’t take an umbrella in the Tassie wind. We had brought a change of clothes so got changed as soon as we got back to our car. 

I had a great day out in the wet and cold Tasmanian wilderness adventuring with my daughter.