Showers look to still be about but let that not stop us from having another day of discovery. We had originally been going to leave today however have decided to stay for another week. We really do like it here in New Norfolk and I guess the fact that I have been having trouble with my right arm for the last few days is another good reason to stay and try and rest it as much as possible. I have been relieved of all cooking and washing up responsibilities by my lovely man and it really is hard to take…..really. Never mind, maybe this time I will learn not to reach behind in the car to get something from the back seat. This is the third time I have hurt the right shoulder doing just that. As I say, maybe this time I will learn. Pain killers and ice are starting to have an effect however so improvement is coming.
We checked out the map and decided we would head out down the Huon Trail today so thermos etc all packed and ready. Head out and decide to take another short cut to bypass the city!!!! Will we never learn……remember the up and down mountain thing…..well this road took us to what would become a ‘4wd only with all recovery equipment’ track (so the sign said) so needless to say we then did an about turn and came back to the highway and decided to take the road we should have driven yesterday (and not miss the turn) and this took us the other side of the mountain we went up and down so the scenery was different. No dirt road this time so just shows we can read maps after all. Stopped for a cuppa after we met back with the highway and pulled into a park beside the river we had admired each time we had passed going to or from the city. Would you believe it there in the carpark is the couple, Peter and Dianne, we met up with at Fossey River and again in Strahan so needless to say over 2hrs later we finally left. Seems a trip down the Huon Trail is a bit out of the question now however whilst with Peter and Dianne we noticed that for the first time we could see the top of Mt Wellington, so let’s change the plan slightly and head up there.
Found our way to the turnoff and then wow what a climb.
Hobart from the top Mt Wellington is 1270 metres high and the road was completed in 1937. The road winds around the mountain as you climb and you have views as you go of all directions. Can you imagine those vehicles of the late 1930’s making the trip. Following the rain of the last few days there are waterfalls running down the banks beside the road everywhere. Just magical. The road is fairly narrow however so there is not much chance to stop and take photos so just have to wait till we get to the top. The clouds continued to blow in and over and then the sun would shine again but the wind….oh my gosh…..the wind was like ice. I reckon the temperature up there was just above freezing….or my face thought so anyway. Daryl, our son, will understand when we say ‘thank goodness for our 1R coats’.
There is a viewing boardwalk with an interpretive centre up there (shelter from the wind) and then there are the rock formations on top called ‘The Pinnacles’ and the telecommunications tower that has a special fibreglass coating to ensure that it is not affected by lumps of ice that form and fall.
The info states that the temperature at the top can be 10 degrees cooler than down in the city and I can well believe it. The plants growing up there are all ‘high country’ (above 1100m) plants and there are no trees. Down below this level the mountain is covered in thick bush and the building of the road was certainly a feat in itself. The info stated that it had not been a popular decision at the time to build the road and citizens had believed it would spoil the mountain. Fortunately the work went ahead and has enabled peoples from all around the world to enjoy the incredible views available (when weather allows).
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