Cradle Mountain, Walls of Jerusalem, Hobart

[dreamingof8a]

Hi,

I realized that two weeks are not nearly enough for what I want to do in Tasmania (ha who would have thought!) so I need some advice on the following:


- After Freycinet, drive to Cradle mt (full day, stopping on the way, enjoying), stay somewhere at the park entrance (any suggestions? Would be grat if free/not main campsite but need to be able to start hiking the next morning)
- two day circuit in Cradle Mountain area, back in the evening, drive to the Walls oJ (how long is that drive going to be?)
- two days in the walls (stay at Dixon's hut)
- Drive to Hobart maybe stopping at Mt Field NP (any other suggestions? I have a full day for the drive)
- Next day fly back to Melbourne

Any suggestions? I know it's a tight schedule but it's the only way to get two overnighters in I guess. I could drop the full day drive to Hobart in faovur of somethign else but I like to have some sort of buffer the day before I fly out.


Thanks!

[frenchy_84]

the drive from cradle to the walls should take about 2hrs i would think. I havent camped at the entrance to the park before, but Lake Lea, a 15min drive away in the vale of Belvoir has flat spots next to the lake where you can put a tent and its a nice quiet secluded place.

[taswegian]

One BIG reminder. Fuel/ petrol is not available at Walls area and too expensive at Cradle. But is available there if stuck.
One heck of a walk from Walls car park.
2 hours a slow but conservative estimate between 2 places.

Have you thought of Walls then Cradle.
Couple reasons.
Walls weather often better than Cradle. Often a marked difference despite closeness.
It may mean 4 days really exploring Walls, Lakes Ball, Meston, Junction, etc, and climb Mt Rogoona.
If you go Walls first gives opportunity to assess weather.

I realise you theoretically are closer to your departure destination than Cradle but may not be a deciding factor.

DON'T forget that petrol bit!

[dreamingof8a]

Thanks for the advice. In Launceston now, then off to the Walls and Cradle Mt.

[dreamingof8a]

Had two great days at the Walls of Jerusalem: Arrived late afternoon at the car park, quickly packed and started to walk. Since I wasn't sur eabout the track/walking times, I decided to stay at Trappers hut.
Got up late the next morning (around 10am), walked past the Jewels to Wild dog creek where the lowest (=nicest) camping area was already fully occupied, so I continued to Dixon's hut, stopping to clmb the Throne and the Temple. Weather was okay, no rain, but overcast and grey. Made camp along the trail up to Mt Jerusalem. Climbed Mt Jerusalem in the evening but no sunset unfortunately. However the walk up the mountain is beautiful with all it's little lakes.
The next day was sunny and I walked down to lake Ball. Not too much trouble however I recommend to keep to the right (north) as soon as you hit the button grass plains after stepping out of the forest. i walked straight towards the lake, expecting to hit a defined trail (Junction Lake track) but ended up walking on button grass all along the lake before it actually turned into a path.
Almost enjoyed this part of the walk mor ethan the previous day, probably due to the better weather.
Also explored the north shore of lake Adelaide and it's beautiful camp sites. The last part back towards the WoJ track dragged on but was still enjoyable. I even walked all the way to the Jewels again to see them in better weather but was a little disappointed. It was however just after noon so the sun was too high up for nice refelctions I think.

Beautiful marshland near lake Ball

IMG_6433.jpg (300.07 KiB) Viewed 1903 times

[dreamingof8a]

BTW, what time of the year would I have to visit the Walls of Jerusalem to find the wildflowers blooming? As opposed to tasman peninsular, there were rather few flowers here.