Day 8 (22 Dec 2017) : Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain
We had originally planned to spend the morning exploring Sheffield town which is well known for its murals, then visit Tasmazia to explore its mazes before driving up Cradle Mountain that afternoon. However, the weatherman was forecasting light showers this morning and early afternoon today and whole day of rain tomorrow. So we decided to switch our itinerary around and drive up to Cradle Mountain today. If the weatherman was to be believed, we will at least have a relatively clearer afternoon today compared to full day of rain tomorrow, and a visit to Cradle Mountain definitely is better with less rain.
The drive from Sheffield Motor Inn to Cradle Mountain Visitor Center was about 1 hour. We headed to the visitor center first to get our National Park Pass. There were various types of tickets available. The service staff at the Visitor Center was very helpful and advised us that for 8 adults and 2 children, the cheapest option was for us to get a National Park Car Pass for A$60. That covers up to 8 pax. Then we can buy 2 one day child ticket at S$8.50 each for the 2 children. These passes will cover the shuttle to Dove Lake. So we got that and headed to Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge where we will be spending the night.
But as it was still early, we were not able to check in, as expected. They advised that since we had our own cars, we should leave our luggages in our cars as we will be able to drive directly to our cabins later on.
I had originally made reservations for dinner at Highland Restaurant for 10 of us at 7pm. But as we were expecting the rain to clear only in the late afternoon, we expected that we will be late coming back from Dove Lake. Unfortunately, the restaurant was full and if we wanted to push our reservation back, they could only accommodate us at 8.30pm. We decided to just take it and have a late dinner that night.
Enchanted Nature Walk
All logistics settled, we put on light raincoats and windbreakers and headed out to do the Enchanted Nature Walk which starts just outside Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. This was an easy 20min walk along proper foot path. We had a brief break from the drizzle that had been going on for the whole morning. That left rain drops an the plants and spiderwebs, creating interesting photographic opportunity.
Pencil Pine Falls Walk
After we completed the Enchanted Nature Walk, we took a second trail nearby, the Pencil Pine Falls Walk. A fully constructed board walk guides you to the waterfall.
It was a pretty waterfall, but was not big. We continued along the path which took us to Kynvet Falls just a further 10 mins up the track. Here we got a different waterfall view – a view from the top.
These two waterfalls were nice but did not have the wow factor. DSis said that it was because we had seen the majestic waterfalls in Iceland, so all others pale in comparison. Maybe she is right.
Shopping @ Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge Shop
We doubled back and exit the Pencil Pines Falls Walk near the Lodge Shop. We couldn’t resist a little shopping so went into the shop.
I bought DD a T-shirt. When making payment, I was told that not only do they charge service fee for use of credit card for the room payment, they charge it for all payments including at restaurants and at the shop. The service fee was 1.1% for MasterCard, 1.25% for visa and 3% for Amex. The only credit card that you can use and not have to pay a service charge is China Union Pay! I can really kick myself for not bringing my Union Pay Card. I should have learned from my Sept Tokyo Trip that the Chinese dollar is really powerful and the Union Pay Card has its privileges!
Lunch @ Tavern Bar & Bistro, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
It was lunch time by now and we went back to the Lodge to get some food. We went to Tavern Bar & Bistro, the casual restaurant at Peppers. Here, we placed our orders and paid at the counter, then the food was served to us at our table.
DS1 and I both decided to have the Schnitzel (A$29). DS2 and DH both had the Fish & Chips (A$29). DD decides to have the beef pasta (A$25). I like my Schnitzel, DS2 was happy with his fish and chips, by DD said the beef pasta was ok only. Soft drinks were at A$4 each. Mother and children all decided to have the Sarsaparilla. DH went for Ginger beer (A$5.50). Yes not real beer but ginger beer. So rare for him.
After lunch, we sat at the lounge area to wait for our rooms to be ready. Official check in was at 2pm. But when we checked with them around 1.45pm, our rooms were ready. The lounge area was very cozy and comfortable and had free WiFi. It was the only place in the whole resort that you could have WiFi. Mobile data around the resort and in our rooms was only available on the Telstra network. So again, only DS1 had mobile data. The rest of us were on Optus network and so had no data connection.
Spa Family Cabin, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
We booked our accommodation at Peppers 9 mths in advance in March 2017 as we wanted the family cabins and there weren’t many of those. I thought it should be early enough but was I wrong! When I called, they had only 2 Spa Family Cabins left! I would have preferred the Pencil Pine Family Cabins which were cheaper and seemed more cosy based on the photos, but those were fully booked. We paid A$779 for one traditional spa cabin for 4 adults and 1 child. This came with breakfast. Yes, it was very expensive. But then you have little other choice in Cradle Mountain.
We drove right up to our cabin. After you enter the cabin at the foyer, this was a separate small “kitchenette” area where you can find the fridge, sink, cups, saucers, kettle and coffee and tea sachets.
You enter a second door before coming to the main lounge. The main lounge area had a queen bed and an additional rollaway bed. There was a wood fire place in the lounge which was cool for us Singaporeans coming from a tropical climate. There were 2 lounge chairs by the fire place and a dining table. There was also a balcony which looked into the forested area. The 2 other single beds were in a separate bedroom. Overall deco was pretty plain. May even be described as drab.
Since this was a spa cabin, as expected, there was a jacuzzi bath in the bathroom. Bathroom was in fact very big.
For A$779, it was a real rip off if you base it on cabin quality. In my opinion, the cabin was really in desperate need for a refurb. So I suppose one was paying for location as it was located right inside the National Park. When you are a monopoly you dictate the price.
Devil’s @ Cradle
We settled our stuff in the cabin and headed out to Devil’s @ Cradle which was just located a few mins drive from the Lodge. Devil’s @ Cradle is a sanctuary for Tasmanian Devils and carries out a captive breeding program for Tasmania Devils and Quolls. One can wonder through the sanctuary at leisure or join one of the tours. Their keepers tour takes place 3 times a day at 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm. Each tour takes about 45mins. We went for the 3pm tour. Entrance fee was $18 for adults and $10 for children (5-15). There are family tickets available. There is no extra charge for taking part in the Keepers tour.
We arrived about 15mins before 3pm, so we wondered around the sanctuary on our own while waiting for the tour to start. The Devils here were must more active and healthy looking than the ones who saw at Bonorong. Those at Bonorong were mostly sleeping or hiding. Here we see the devils running around, scavenging and interacting. We saw 2 Devils “quarreling”, but the keeper said that they were just interacting. And boy, was their interaction loud! Now I understand Disney had some element of accuracy in their portrayal of the interaction style of the Tasmanian Devil! Hahaha!
The Keepers tour starts with a brief video about the Devils followed by a walk around the sanctuary with the keeper who provided a wealth of information on the Devils as well as the quolls which they had onsite. The sanctuary was not big and the 45mins tour was pretty detailed.
I am so glad that we decide to visit Devils @ Cradle. We definitely had a must better experience here with the Devils compared to Bonorong. It helps that there were much much less visitors here. Also coming here means that DS1 who had not arrived when we visited Bonorong gets to see the Devils too. Bonorong was good for those who want to interact with kangaroos and see the koalas too. If it is just to see Tasmanian Devils, you are better off coming here.
Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain
We left Devils @ Cradle and drove back to the Visitors Center. By now the sky was clearing. The visitor center staff had advised that we were better off taking the shuttle bus to Dove Lake from the visitor center instead of from The Lodge as the bus may not have enough seats left for all 10 of us by the time it gets to the Lodge.
Cradle mountain itself is a jagged, dolerite peak. Its name, supposedly, is derived from the mountain’s resemblance to a miner’s cradle. This most dramatic vista of Cradle Mountain can be seen at Dove Lake. In fact, one can already see this view from the carpark of the Dove Lake.
There were several walks that one can take along the shore of the Lake. But as we came to Dove Lake in the late afternoon (we arrived close to 5pm) and the last shuttle bus leaving Dove Lake was at 7.30pm, we only walked to the boat house, a famous site for taking the iconic photos of Cradle Mountain and did not take the longer walks.
Dove Lake was beautiful and we were lucky to catch a break in the clouds for a short while. The wild weather of the Tasmanian highlands often shrouds the mountain in cloud and the day we went it was raining earlier in the day, so we were so glad that the weatherman’s prediction that day was fairly accurate.
All of us left Dove Lake around 6.30pm, except DBIL who stayed on to take more photos.
Dinner @ Highland Restaurant, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
By the time we went to the Highland Restaurant at 8.30pm for our dinner, the restaurant was no longer very busy. The advantage of eating late was that food was served relatively fast as everyone wants to go home! There was no long wait for our food.
We were served a complimentary appetizer of tuna tartare. DH and I decided to have the trout (A$38). It was fresh and good. DS1 and DS2 has the ribeye steak (A$46). My boys love steak and will always go for it, especially DS1. They were satisfied with their steak. DD had the lamb (A$45). Since coming on this trip, DD had fallen in love with lamb. We also order some greens (A$9).
Overall meal was quite good but it was very expensive. They had a captive market here, so it was expected.
Next up: Day 9 – Cradle Mountain to Sheffield to Launceston