Live from Australia - May 23-24, 2011

MONDAY 23 MAY 2011
After breakfast at my leisure, I prepared for a 3 ½ hour hike around Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Staff provide a range of guided activities ranging from 20 minutes to 9 hours on a daily basis which vary depending on the weather and the season. Staff is also available to do guided tours, but charges apply to some activities and National park entry fees may also apply.

However, for guests of Cradle Mountain Lodge, it is not necessary to venture into the National Park to experience the best of Tasmania’s wilderness, as we have a host of great walks with spectacular scenery that leave directly from the Lodge grounds. These walks are suitable for a wide range of fitness levels and weather conditions.

When out walking, it is recommended that you do not wander off the tracks and that you wear sensible, comfortable shoes or sneakers. You should also take warm clothes and/or wet weather gear, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses with you, as the weather is unpredictable in this alpine region.

Later that evening, I took part in the Devils@Cradle, Night feeding tour. Since Devils are primarily a nocturnal species it was a rare up close opportunity to see the Tasmanian devils in a group feeding situation. It was something to behold and I would highly recommend it. I can’t explain it as you have to experience it for yourself. The Lodge offers 4 different styles of accommodation, from the contemporary Pencil Pine Cabins to the luxurious King Billy Suites. I was assigned cabin 24, a Pencil Pine Cabin accommodation. Some of the others found it a big rustic and felt they should have been assigned suite category accommodations, but I found it quite nice. The room was large with a gas burning fireplace and I had a my own private balcony that overlooked a small lake and the main lodge.

TUESDAY 24 MAY 2011
After breakfast: we departed Cradle Mountain Lodge for a 2 hour drive to the Ashgrove Cheese Farm to learn about the craft of traditional handmade cheese production and observe the cheese making through the viewing windows. The numerous varieties in the Ashgrove Cheese range are all available to sample. From the mellow Rubicon Red to the aged Premium Vintage Cheddar and the exotic Wild Wasabi, there is a taste for every palate. The shop features over 40 different hand-made Tasmanian cheeses. Other Tasmanian cheese brands include Swiss style cheeses from Heidi Farm, white and blue moulds and smear ripened cheeses from Tasmanian Heritage and Wicked Cheese, goat cheeses from West Haven Dairy. Browse through the exclusively Tasmanian produced gourmet foods including truffles, chocolate and fudge, honey, jams, mustards, pickles, olives.

We had Lunch at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm where the menu caters to all raspberry cravings as well as offering an extensive menu utilizing the very best fresh local produce to create wholesome country style food. Make sure you leave room for dessert or their delicious homemade raspberry products such as chocolate dipped raspberries, or rich creamy raspberry ice cream. You can also buy raspberry jam, sauce, syrup, wine and lust dust to take home!

At 2.30pm it was time to board our plane for our flight to Melbourne. I hope I can nap on the plane because there will only be time to change clothes before our hosted dinner with Victoria tourism.