Tuesday Feb 16, 2010 – Day Trip South of Hobart.

We got an early start to the day. Mount Wellington was our first stop. It is 1270m high, the highest peak in the area. We passed through a cloud layer as we went up, so that it was no surprise when we could not see Hobart below. The mountain top is unique all on its own. In 1967 there was a terrible wild fire around Hobart. The mountain was left bare of vegetation as was much of the area. The vegetation on the mountain is slow in coming back. So in amongst the large rocks are small alpine plants. The rock outcroppings were great. We were surprised to meet two couples that had been on our bus yesterday.

We stopped in Geeveston to get tickets for the Tahune Air Walk. It was 29 km to the air walk. We found a picnic place to stop for lunch. It was a beautiful spot beside a creek. There was a 15 month old boy there who was not sure of us at first so he stuck close to his dad and kept a close eye on us. After we settled down to lunch and were no threat to him he started moving around. The mosquitoes were about but seemed to leave us alone, surprise surprise.

The Tahune Air Walk was lots of fun. They had a free shuttle service for those with mobility issues to take them to the start of the walk. We missed climbing a lot of stairs. The walk averages 20 m above the ground. It takes you on a journey amongst the tops of the pristine, wet eucalypt forest. The walk culminates with a stunning cantilever suspended 48m above the ground. There are breathtaking views of the Picton and Huon Rivers and surrounding forest. It was a wonderful walk. Since the trees are still taller than the walkway you don't feel out in the open while on the walk. You feel quite enclosed. Charles went out on the cantilever but I did not. We walked back on the floor of the forest. It was quite a different view from there. It was fun to see the walkway high above us. When we go back to the Visitor Centre low and behold there was the two couple we met earlier.

We had just enough time to drive the 79 km down to the Hastings Cave and Thermal Pool site. The last tour of the caves was 4pm. Upon arrival we found out there were about 500 stairs in the cave tour. I did not think I could do that many stairs. Charles decided to do the caves while I took advantage of the Thermal Springs. The thermal pool was about 28°C which was not to warm but it was nice to swim. When I got in there were 2 other ladies but soon I was alone. After ½ hour I got out and dressed. I went on the springs loop walk by the pool. It was a good walk but a little creepy as I was all by myself. The forest was full on scurrying noises and fluttering birds. At the end of the walk there is a bridge over the creek. I saw a platypus swimming in the creek. It was very fast so would not have gotten a picture even if I had the camera.

The cave tour was unique as it was one of the few dolomite caves around. It was very deep leading to the many stairs. It had the usual stalagmite and stalactites. It takes a very long time for them to grow. There were cave spiders that have to go outside every 12 days to eat. One was pregnant and ate the leg off another spider when she could not get out to eat. There was another species of spider that makes a horizontal web. The female of this species is very hard on the males. If he does anything she doesn't like she stings him then devours him. Other insects that never go out have been found in the cave.

Charles enjoyed the tour very much. Like everything soon the cave tour was over and we were on our way back to Hobart.