Upon leaving Strahan, we drove to Ulverstone where the Lighthouse Hotel was to be our base for the last 3 days. Bright and early the next day we were headed for a day trip to Cradle Mountain. A short time after starting we came across many oncoming Targa Rally cars zooming quickly around the corners and bends. My heart skipped a beat! Had we driven down a closed rally road? It’s turns out they were just heading to their next starting point but you wouldn’t have guessed that from the speeds I was seeing. Three people lost their lives from 2 separate accidents during this years rally.

From the car park we could see Cradle Mountain. We opted to walk the Dove Lake circuit for prime views of the mountain. It was an interesting walk around the lake with the terrain changing from easy walking to rough. At one stage it felt like we were walking through a magical mystery forest with the higher branches forming an archway for us to follow. Ruthie and I had a chuckle when we saw one tourist set out in their pristine all white outfit including white runners. They weren’t going to stay white for long!

Our legs and bodies were weary from the walk. The beer tasting at the Buttons Brewing Bar & Restaurant along with the music choice certainly brought us back to life. Set right on the River Leven and Bass Straight in Ulverstone, it proved to be the perfect place to unwind.

Our second last day in Tassie and we drove the 42 kilometres to Leven Canyon. We started the 1.2km circuit walk to the Leven Canyon lookout. The powerful river has cut through steep forested country to form the canyon. The 2 lookouts were easy walking and the expansive and spectacular views were worth the effort. On the way back we took the steep stairs along a ferny track to the bottom of the canyon. After yesterdays effort of walking around Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain, there was a lot of moaning and groaning going on!

So it became time to leave Devonport to catch the ferry home. Our 2 weeks in Tasmania had been great. From the seaside towns of the north, the picturesque east coast, cultured and harboured Hobart and wilderness of the west, we enjoyed them immensely.

All we could hope for was smooth sailing on the ferry bound for home.