On To Tasmania!

Sorry for the delayed post. We have been in the wilds of western Tasmania - no internet and no cellphone for 3 days.  We last connected in Melbourne, and now it is .....

------------

.......time to head for Tasmania!

We are going to start in the north (Launceston), rent a car, and visit three national parks as we work our way south to Hobart.

There isn't much in Launceston. Its highlight is "the gorge".  This is at the headwaters of the river that is Launceston's connection to the ocean.  An interesting fact: Melbourne was settled after (and )from Launceston.  The first settler's (convicts and free emigrants) went to Sydney and Hobart, and only after they were established did they headed north from Launceston to found Melbourne in SW Australia. 

The heat wave was in full swing and a swim was definitely in order. I tried to shame Kath into a dip by going first, but she remained strong (and hot!!)

We picked up our rental and headed for the our first Tasmanian park - Cradle Mountain. The weather was crystal clear ... but so hot!! We hiked to a viewpoint, got dehydrated, but got some great views of the mountains.

The net day we visited a center dedicated to protection of the endangered Tasmania Devil. 

And later  found a Wombat in the wild. A big furry guinea pig, about 15 to 20 pounds. 

Before we left Cradle Mountain, Kathy and I did get in a swim in Dove lake (you can see her sizing it up from Marion's Lookout.)