This year’s Photography Adventure with my son Mitch took us to Tasmania.
3 weeks camping, starting with just the 'concept of a plan' to photograph the Tasmanian Waratah (Telopea truncata) and the Pandani (Richea pandanifolia). No pre-bookings - apparently that’s what we do now! Quite the challenge for a died in the wool 'Spreadsheeter' like me. 😁 Anyway, here’s my photo diary of our adventure …
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It is said "A JOURNEY OF A 1000 MILES STARTS WITH A SINGLE STEP" … This one started with a 9 hour drive south to board the Spirit of Tasmania for the crossing of Bass Strait with Betty the Blue Kia, and Tom the Cruiser!
A great sunrise coming into Devenport. Once disembarking, it was off to Hobart Airport to pick up Mitch who had flown in ("Must be Nice"). A quick stop for groceries and a bite to eat at the lovely town of Richmond, some planning, and we were off to Mt Field Nat. Park for our first stop.
The camp ground is at the base of the mountain and adjacent to the Tyena River. We were here 3 nights - which included a side trip to Lake Pedder, and another to Kunanyi / Mount Wellington for an early morning hike up the Sawmill Track. At Lake Dobson the Pandani were stunning, the Waratah not so much - small buds, no blooms yet.
Up early for a Sunrise shoot - the light was great, many of the Tasmanian Scoparia (Richea scoparia) were in full bloom. Mitch saw a Platypus in the lake! We were back in 2 weeks to check on the Waratah and there was more in bloom. A great walk around Lake Dobson in light rain revealed even more Waratah, Pandani and wildflowers! And secret huts!
Next morning we headed to Mathinna Showground for 2 nights, to explore the north eastern forests. Unfortunately the 2024 Mathinna Country BIG Country Jam was on, showground was already packed full. A quick roadside meeting, and we decided to head further north to Weldborough Hotel - free camping in an adjacent paddock. The pub had been booked out for a wedding, which was in full swing when we arrived. Local celeb singer serenaded us for most of the night 😀. We explored the Blue Tier Forest Reserve - very impressive. 2 nights turned into just 1 … we headed west to Cradle Mountain next morning.
Cradle Mtn Base Camp
We ended up staying 5 nights at Cradle Mountain this visit. The new camping facilities were great.
Multiple early morning sessions at The Vale of Belvoir, trips to Tullah and Waratah (looking for … Waratahs!) as well as exploring within Cradle Man. A special 10minute experience watching a wallaby munching on some pink blossoms.
We returned for the last 2 nights of our trip for some more wonderful Photography opportunities, and a well earned Schnitty and Cider at the Lodge!
The best Mitch, the best!
From Cradle Mtn we headed south towards Lake St Clair, via Queenstown. But nor before a 5am start at the Vale - great session. A couple of amazing compositions set off by some great early glow! Mitch recommended a detour via Zeehan for a couple Carols Homemade Sausage Rolls!
Well worth it!
Ominous!
Tom & Betty
We arrived late in the afternoon at our camp site, and were not sure how many days we’d stay - there was a massive storm/rain front sweeping down from the north which we were keen to avoid if possible. We ended up setting up camp in an old gravel yard, and headed off to explore around the lake.
A few waratahs in bloom, as well as other wildflowers.
After a couple of hours wandering around Lake St. Clair, we ‘stumbled’ across the lodge. It was still open so we availed ourselves of some hot pumkin soup, handmade fries and crusty bread. Just what we needed to keep us going.
We drove west for a while to find a gum tree forest that Mitch had found during his previous visit … it was just beautiful! The late even light was flooding in nicely.
And there were Waratahs in full bloom.
And a classic bush sunset in the making.
Surely it doesn’t get much better! 😍
With the storm fast approaching, it was just a one night stay and we headed east to Bicheno for a couple of nights in a motel. But not before Coffee & Date Scones in Bothwell - loved the 80’s music playing in the background at the cafe!
That night was a deluge - rain bucketed down! We were up at 4am to head down to Freycinet National Park for a sunrise shoot, however 10mins south, in thick fog, we turned back due to quickly rising flood waters! Back to bed, and then time to explore around Bicheno. That afternoon the waters had receded and we head south to check out Freycinet.
Next morning, up again at 4 and a clear run south for sunrise! Stunning coastline!
After Bicheno, we returned to Mt Field for 2 nights (Coffee & Scones again at Bothwell, and the 80’s music was till playing!), then our final 2 nights back at Cradle Mtn. On our way to Cradle Mtn, a great drive up through the Midlands, we pulled over to explore an amazing cliff face and surrounds. We found Waratahs! It was 2 hrs to camp at Cradle Mtn. So next morning we up at 3am, 2 hrs drive back to the cliff face to try and capture the morning light on the cliff and the Waratahs. A bonus shoot followed downstream at Liffey Falls. And well deserved brunch at Frank & Lottie’s, Deloraine!
3 weeks of chasing the weather, the light, and at times our tails, to shoot Waratahs, Pandani, wildflowers amongst others.
A couple of mountains, a sneaky east coast sunrise, floods, stunning forests, crisscrossing Tassie a couple of times, covering around 5,000klms with Betty and Tom!
Many wonderful drives through the midlands and highlands with great music, podcasts and discussions.
Many 4am, 5am and a 3am start. Several sessions ending an hour after sunset before making our way back the comfort of Tom. Some great coffee, scones and Portuguese tarts (thanks Frank and Lotti!)
Another great adventure shared with Mitch!
Thanks buddy!
Until the next one …
Can you believe it! Mitch’s FIRST EVER Portuguese Tart!!!!