Where we went: Mt Field East, Mt Field National Park When we went: Spring, 2022 Proposed time to complete walk: 4-5 hours Actual time spent on walk: 5 hours Track rating: Grade 4 (out of 5) – note that this rating seems to be primarily based on navigation needs in this specific instance. Parks passes… Continue reading Mt Field East, Mt Field National Park.
There isn't much to specifically describe the track by other than 'steep rock scramble', it is marked with some permanent light reflective yellow arrows, and some faded spray painted arrows. Occasionally the arrows suggest that some sections have separate paths for people travelling up, and for people travelling down. It is, otherwise, a fairly lawless place, at least as far as navigation is concerned. There are 3 distinctly difficult sections that will have you questioning every decision you made that brought you to the moment you find yourself in now. These feelings will pass (at least until you have to attempt those same sections in reverse).
Where we went: Myrtle Gully Falls When we went: Late Autumn 2022 Estimated time to complete walk: 1 hour (factoring in tiny little toddler legs) Time spent on walk: a little over an hour (they just have such tiny legs!) The Falls, pumping thanks to all the rain. We haven't posted in a long while… Continue reading Myrtle Gully Falls (Just Sapphire and the smalls)
Tip: when starting out in your fanciful fruit flavour combinations look to the country of origin of the fruit in question and use that for inspiration. Fun greengage fact -- they originated in Iran. Ingredients 1kg greengages 4 Tbsp orange blossom extract (the better the quality the better the outcome, but I find orange blossom… Continue reading Greengage and Orange Blossom Fruit Leather
Summer means stone fruits and stone fruits have no chill. If you've found yourself in a fruit glut situation then do not panic. Make fruit leather and carry on. A friend gave me both green and purple gages, but the recipe works with any rich flavoured stone fruit Ingredients 1kg plums (or greengages) 2-3 Tbsp… Continue reading Spiced Plum Fruit Leather
Where we went: Cradle Mountain Summit, returned via Horse Track When we went: Spring 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 5-8 hours Time spent on walk: 7 hours Grade of walk: 4 Cradle Mountain National Park is one of the most famous and spectacular national parks in Tasmania. There are a range of hikes to… Continue reading Cradle Mountain (summit)
Where we went: Fluted Cape (nuenonne/Bruny Island) When we went: Spring 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 2.5 hours Time spent on walk: 3 (plus a 1 hour lunch break) Grade of hike: 3 Sommelier and I often struggle to reconcile our love for food with our love of hiking. While such activities are not… Continue reading Fluted Cape (Bruny Island)
Where we went: South Cape Bay (Cockle Creek). Originally the land of the lylue-quonny tribe. When we went: Early spring, 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 4-5 hours Time spent on walk: 5.5 hours (long lunch break) Grade of walk: Grade 3 Sapphire near the cliffs. South Cape Bay, in the far South of Southwest… Continue reading South Cape Bay (Southwest National Park)
The path hugs the pink quartzite cliff-face for the entire ascent. We were walking in the wetter season and found that there was an almost constant freshwater drip over the cliff and onto our heads. As we were very hot this was a welcome relief, although it did add a certain slip-factor to some of the stones underfoot and we both found ourselves grateful for our hiking poles.
The falls are a broad sheet standing in a small opening in the forest which forms a brilliant beam of light. It makes a soft sound, rather than a thundering, but the collection of broken trees scattered at the base suggest that she can, occasionally, put on a spectacular show.
Sapphire and Sommelier 