Exploring Parma Creek

A lovely sunny Saturday and a chance to explore a great little spot near our new home, Parma Creek Nature Reserve. Oh yea, we moved! Work opportunities and life have taken us out of the mountains and back to the coast. The NSW south coast is a beautiful spot, amazing empty beaches and only a short drive to the mountains, the best of both worlds.

Anyway, yea, a sunny Saturday checking out Parma Creek. My parents had an old guide book for the area and this one of the walks recommended. We went a bit off track joining up two separate walks from the book.

We left the Princes Highway and straight into gravel road, much more my style. We parked up just near a crossing of Parma Creek and set off.

First spot was a nice lookout, a little early for break but the view was nice so what the hell.

Parma Creek from Parma Fire Rd

 Too early for a break? nah

After our break from the exhausting 200m that we had walked we continued on across the creek along the fire trail. There were some nice flowers about.

Drumsticks isopogon anemonifolius 

A type of Leptospermum (tea tree)?

Pink Fingers Orchid Caladenia carnea

A type of Hibbertia (Guinea Flower)?

Waratah

A type of prickly pea, I got over trying to identify this one!

We left Parma Fire Rd and followed a nice track through the bush. There were lots of side tracks and we kind of just followed our way.

Nice track

An then we ended up at an awesome waterfall.

Very nice waterfall, photo is a bit crap 

Being full of adventure we bush bashed down and found a fantastic cave, nice and cool out of the sun.

Now it got interesting, instead of heading back we (maybe I) thought it would be a good idea to follow this tributary downstream until we came to Parma Creek which we could then follow back upstream to the lovely lookout that we started at. The going was very interesting...

Finding our way through the little tributary back to Parma Creek

Amazing trees though

After some time, actually quite a bit of time, we ended up at Parma Creek and what looked like a great swimming hole. We left the swimming for another day and followed Parma Creek upstream.

Potential swimming hole Parma Creek

 I started to take us higher to avoid the waterfall at the start of the walk. It was pretty good going compared to the creek bash earlier with some nice views of the valley.

Parma Creek from the eastern ridge

And that was about it. No snakes or other bities so all good. Great day out exploring a new area.

Around Cradle Mountain Tasmania - Part 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley

A few weeks ago, Holly and I made the journey down to Tasmania, a great gift she arranged for my birthday. Our trip intentions were twofold; do a hike in the Cradle Mountain National Park and also enjoy all that the island had to offer from more comfortable accommodation.

We had originally planned to do the entire Overland Track, but unfortunately time and off-season logistics were against us. Instead, I planned a three day loop starting and finishing at the Cradle Mountain visitors centre negating the transportation issues we were facing. Ill split this trip report into 3 parts as I went a bit crazy taking photos.

We arrived late in the afternoon the day before our hike. We had originally planed to camp this night, but, as was to be a common occurrence while in Tasmania, it was pissing down (“raining heavily” for non-Australian readers) so we stayed in a cabin at the Cradle Mountain Discovery Holiday Park. The cabin turned out to be a good option as it allowed us to get our food and packs sorted. The kitchen facilities, hot shower and electric blanket were also much appreciated.

Food for three days. Liberal amounts of chocolate

We were up early and got to the visitor centre as it opened. Unfortunately by the time we had registered, did our final pack and had a coffee there was quite a queue for the courtesy bus that takes you into the National Park. After waiting for about half an hour, we got on the bus for the short journey to Ronny Creek where the Overland Track starts.

Big smiles as we start at Ronny Creek in the sunshine

And we are off

Starting out on our walk I was immediately struck by a sense of how foreign the landscape looked. I had thought to find some resemblance to the Snowy Mountains, Australia’s highest, where we live. However, it was as though everywhere I have travelled had been mixed and merged into one combined vista. Mountains reminiscent of Canada, old growth forests, temperate rainforests, glacial cirques, it was all going on.

Button grass, temperate rainforest, alpine its all going on

Another aspect of Tasmania that I was still struggling to comprehend was the amount of wildlife, in particular the larger mammals. While I am quite used to seeing kangaroos, wallabies and wombats, I am not used to seeing wombats sleeping in broad daylight in the sun right next to a walking track! We lingered long enough to see it move and confirm it wasn't dead.

There it was, a wombat just lying there asleep in the sun

We continued on and upwards along the path. Suddenly we were in a rainforest. It was that quick, one minute we were walking along enjoying the button grass and views of the mountains then we were in a rainforest. Tasmania is a crazy place.

Into a different world

Crater Falls

We had in fact walked through a small section of temperate rainforest that hugs Crater Falls. We were soon back in the Alpine as we approached Crater Lake. Most people who pass Crater Lake get some photos of the historic boat shed that sits at its northern extent. I was no different, although I cocked up all of my attempts at it.

My crappy out of focus Crater Lake boat shed photo

The track continued to climb following the eastern side of the lake. We now entered a gnarled beech and eucalypt forest. It kind of made me feel like I was in my own banzai dream.

Me in the banzai forest

We followed the ridge line enjoying the spectacular views of Crater Lake on our right and Dove Lake on our left. A short rock scramble brought us to Marion’s Lookout where the views got even better and we got our first look at Cradle Mountain. We had lunch and then spent some time enjoying the view and taking photos.

Holly posing, I'm not sure why

Rock scramble to Marion’s Lookout

I went a bit crazy taking photos

Crater Lake pano

Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain pano

Happy hikers enjoying the view and the sun

After lunch we continued south passing below Cradle Mountain. The sun we had been enjoying was slowly being choked out by ominous looking dark clouds. Cradle Mountain is unlike any mountain I have ever encountered, hundreds of dolerite pillars give it an almost Mordor like appearance.

Spectacular Cradle Mountain

It was about this time that we encountered some large snow drifts. The snow was soft and slushy which made the going a little difficult. Every now and again one of us would lose a leg down through the snow pack.

Holly battles the snow pack

I love snow

Battling through the snow drifts we came across Kitchen Hut. A nice looking two story stone and shingle hut. The shovel on the second level gives some idea of how high the snow level can get at times.

Some hairy mountain man was poking around the hut

Kitchen Hut, its pretty cool, love that shovel at the second level

We spent the next few hours wandering around the base of Cradle Mountain, navigating the snow drifts and taking in the views of Barn Bluff as we made our way to Waterfall Valley Hut our camp for the evening.

Getting a look at Barn Bluff

Barn Bluff is also pretty spectacular

Waterfall off the south side of Cradle Mountain

The leaves of Nothofagus gunnii Australia’s only winter deciduous tree

Welcome to Tassie, this is pretty typical of the track once you leave the day walking areas

Mt Pelion et al. just before we dropped down off the plateau to Waterfall Valley

Arriving at camp with sore feet we were greeted by the local welcoming committee.

Another Wombat right next to the trail at the Waterfall Valley Hut

Wallaby hanging out next to the trail

We set up camp at the old Waterfall Valley Hut, another beautiful old hut with an incredible view of Barn Bluff.

Our view of Barn Bluff, not a bad spot to pitch a tent

A nice spot in front of the old Waterfall Valley Hut

Waterfall behind the hut

More waterfall action, it’s a beautiful spot

As I was taking photos a scream came out of the hut. Holly had acquired a leech. Sometimes I feel for Holly. I met her over in England living a very pleasant life away from blood sucking parasites, rain, snow and tents. She is a champ though and it wasn't long before Mr leech had been removed and squashed on the floor.

It started to rain while we ate our re-hydrated dinner and drank a cup of tea in the hut. We hit the tent and fell to sleep pretty quickly. At about midnight, it got ridiculously windy and our little tent was shaking like a wet dog. An ominous sign for the rest of our hike.

The sun sets over over Barn Bluff, kind of reminds me of the Matterhorn