Blue skies...

Today Cradle Mountain was outlined against a blue, blue sky - stunning! It's dry but really cold and windy when I start the walk around Dove Lake. Had to rescue my hat twice!

The shuttle drops you at a temporary stop - a new VIC is being erected to better service Dove Lake.- it's huge.

Dove Lake walk is really popular: 6k on a mixture of boardwalk, stone steps, gravel and sleeper rises. It is designated as moderate and the track does require a bit of effort. Suggested time frame is 2-3 hours. I completed it in 2.5 hours walking slowly but steadily with plenty of photo stops and morning tea. Hansen's Peak and then Cradle Mountain looms large on the left, Marion's Lookout on the right. Waterfalls rush down the cliffs feeding the streams running into the lake and turning the tangled trees named the "Ballroom" into an enchanted forest.

The walk finishes at the iconic and much photographed boathouse.

It was a lovely walk especially when the wind eventually died down.

My afternoon was a special double treat! With 3 others I had a wonderful Joey Encounter at Cradle Mountain Devils. First we met Bailey an Eastern Quoll: he was very shy and kept snuggling down in his woollen pouch. Bailey fell off his mother's back and was rescued. Mum had 5 other joey's so didn't worry about Bailey!

Next Barnsy, an adorable Tasmanian Devil joey. He had the softest fur and kept trying to climb up to his carer's shoulder.

Just look at those  whiskers! If the whiskers can go into a space so can the rest of the Devil.

Afterwards I watched the feeding of the adult quoll and Devils.  Despite being the apex predators here in Tasmania, Quolls and Devils are very endangered.  Disease (85% of Devils wiped out since 1996 by facial cancer)), diminished habitat, human interference (huge road kill numbers) have contributed.

Imagine the most passionate conservationist you can think of - then multiply by 50 and you have Sarah our guide for the feeding experience. She has hand raised many of the animals here and her knowledge is phenomenal. 

Whilst noisy at times,especially when jostling for food mostly the animals were very quiet. The habitat provided looked as authentic as it could possibly be and Sarah took time to ensure the feeding met the needs and at times challenged the animals, spreading the scent of the food before even putting the meat in a tree for the quolls. The quolls are very intelligent and enjoy the challenge. The Devils are not interested in challenge- they just got straight to it!

Cradle Mountain Devils plays a  huge part in the conservation program for Quolls and Devils even contributing to mainland reintroduction of endangered species. Some of the quolls have gone to Mulligan's Flat.

It was a wonderful experience, worth every cent. All proceeds support the conservation programs, vital since government contributions are somewhat limited. 

I had a great time here at Cradle Mountain - it is an incredibly beautiful place, diverse, challenging and very, very special. 

As Gustave Weindorfer said - 

"This must be a national park for the people for all time. It is magnificent and people must know and enjoy it".