Lost World Circuit - 8th January 2013

With bushfires still burning on the Tasman Peninsula and elsewhere, something of a weather change was on the way. While overall it wasn't much, and didn't douse the fires, I think it was very welcome in minimising their further spread.

I was going to walk to Thark Ridge, but the wind was very strong at the top of the mountain, so I opted for a more comfortable circuit from The Chalet to Lost World, which includes a couple of segments of track I haven't been on before. Isaac had said he and a friend were going to down from the top (the normal access route), and I thought I might be able to meet up with them.

Hunters Track descends steeply below The Chalet, and comes to an intersection with the Old Hobartians Track. This essentially continues descending in the same direction, whereas hunters Track at that point zigzags back towards Junction Cabin. The Old Hobartians Track continues on downwards, stimulating weird thoughts like "what goes down must plod back up". Just after the track crosses the upper reaches of Newtown Rivulet, a marked track heads off to the left. The sign warns that the track is rough. This is the track which climbs steeply into Lost World. The climb is on boulders in patchy forest. The track is well marked with red and yellow paint marks, although Isaac tells me these can be hard to locate in deep snow. He and Michael had an "epic" climbing from here through Lost World in snow previously. The climb does go on for a while, and can be slow given the need for a little scrambling, but it suddenly emerges on the fallen columns below the cliffs of Lost World. The spot is marked with large cairn.

Lost World is worth a bit of exploring, and I previously provided some information here. Care is required amongst the boulders. To continue, the "track" basically heads right, straight across the "flatter" part of the area and finds a path around the cliffs on the right. The track to mount Arthur and the road at Big Bend then climbs steeply up alongside Lost World. The track emerges on the road, and a short walk down the road returns you to the starting point. All up, it's quite an enjoyable circuit, with some small challenges as you scramble up the boulders.

The day I was there recently it commenced to pour with rain as I arrived at Lost World. No sign of Isaac, so I called out. Sure enough, he rang me a minute later. They had retreated as the rain came down, making the rocks slippery. With only two seats in a ute, they didn't even wait to give me a ride down the road. Given the rain, I didn't pause to get the camera out, so I'll just provide this panorama acquired a few years ago, until I can get back there and get some up to date photos.

Lost World panorama, taken in Jan 2008.

Wellington Falls from The Springs - 7th January 2013

I hadn't done this walk for a good few years. Probably the last time I did it, I carried Isaac on my back. (Editor: That would make it ~17-18 years ago!) I recall falling over somewhere at the top of the Potato Fields and Isaac's continuation along the 'track' without me was only retarded by Mr Macpac's clever restraints. I submit that Isaac is now too big for anyone to carry along anything, let alone the Wellington Falls track. There's a Hilux Ute that will back me up!

Smoke from the fires obscures the views from the Milles Track on the way to Wellington Falls - 7th January 2013

Anyway, I wanted to redo this walk, for inclusion in the upcoming set of iconic Wellington Walks. This walk around the south side of the mountain is pretty impressive, and ventures into the rougher and more remote parts of the Wellington Range. A note for the unwary - on cool or chilly days, the south side of the mountain can be very cold. This walk is rougher than many others on the mountain, and much of it crosses rocky tracks or boulder fields. However, it has good views, and the terrain feels more remote. That's because there are fewer people here, and fewer people walk here regularly. You do need to be self-sufficient. There is a low-level escape route if the weather cracks up on you too - although, your car may be left at The Springs.

If you want to make this a circuit walk, you can, but it is likely to become quite lengthy. Notes at the end will explain how to achieve a circuit.

Walk Description

The walk starts at The Springs. Drive to the upper carpark, along the one-way road that departs the main Pinnacle Road to the left at The Springs. There is plenty of parking here. Depart up the steps through the trees from the middle of the carpark.

The Potato Fields stretch away up the hill, as seen from near Disappearing Tarn - 7th January 2013

The track climbs through the trees to a 4WD track. Turn left, and follow the Milles Track. This will shortly pass the Icehouse Track on the right. The track becomes more rocky, but is hard to lose, and undulates a little around the flanks of the mountain, providing good views to southeast and south in a few places. It descends to pass the left-hand turnoff to Snake Plains, then descends further to Disappearing Tarn, at the bottom of the boulder field known as The Potato Fields. I understand that there may occasionally be water in Disappearing Tarn, but I have never seen it. I have looked many times! The track then climbs across boulders on the Potato Fields, and into light forest where the track can be a little damp at times (Tasmanian/English understatement should be evident there.) On my recent visit it was in fact quite dry, but I think this is unusual. Then follows a descent through the forest to the well-made track that arrives at the top of the falls. There are good views of the top of the falls, which are no doubt impressive in times of high flow.

The view of the top of Wellington Falls from the established lookout.

HOWEVER, let me tempt you into descending into the chasm. Below the large log that lies across the bottom of the viewing area, you can descend to the bottom of the falls. Beware: if you do so, you are absolutely relying on your own common sense and capability. There is an obvious track around the right hand end of the large fallen log. Below this, you will find at least two obvious ways to descend. It doesn't much matter which you take, as you will be end up squeezed between cliffs below and cliffs above. Be very careful, especially if you have anyone in your party who can't discern that the way ahead is too steep for their limited skills (eg. children, fools). There comes a point close to the bottom where you have to slide down a gravelly slope, under a fallen log and then scramble left over the same log to progress. You will emerge a short way below the bottom of the falls. Depending on water flow, you should be able to clamber upwards towards the base of the falls. You may be able to head downstream too, and the river may allow you to take a dip. In times of high flow, use your own judgment about what is viable.

The falls from below

Taken from directly below the falls, showing the cliffs. You won't be able to
safely get to this point in times of high flow.

The rocks here are obviously heavily weathered by high water flows. Have a good look at the cliffs and the channels the falls use - this was probably carved when there were vast amounts of ice and snow on the plateau above, but I haven't been here when flows are highest, and should do so to see what it looks like.

The alternative approach - and making a circuit

Wellington Falls is probably more usually approached along the Pipeline Track from Neika. Many people would use pushbikes to ride along the winding and relatively flat Pipeline Track, then leave their bikes at the end of the walking track that heads up and across the hill to arrive at the top of the falls from the opposite direction. The walking track is well made, and the use of bikes cuts the time required significantly. This alternative track can be used to make a circuit, so that you could for example start at Ferntree, climb to The Springs, walk to Wellington Falls and then return along the Pipeline Track. I did it once quite some years ago, and it makes for a lengthy walk. A circuit can also be achieved using the Snake Plains Track.

Vertical panorama looking down the gorge below Wellington Falls.

Mount Gnomon and Mount Dial - 30th/31st December 2012

Two trips to the Dial Range allowed me to find these walks. The first day Isaac and I only had a couple of hours available to get there and back from Camp Clayton. We climbed Mount Gnomon, and on the way found the track to Mount Dial. I went back myself the next day and did Mount Dial and the little circuit onto Mount Gnomon from the Mount Dial Track.

The Dial Range from Turners Beach, Mount Gnomon at the southern end of the cliffline (left) and Mount Dial to the right of the cliffs.

It seems the best place to climb both these peaks from is the Mount Gnomon carpark. All the details are laid out in Jan Hardy and Bert Elson's Family Walks in Northwest Tasmania. From Penguin you head south, across the highway, or if approaching from Ulverstone, you turn left off the highway, and use some streets to get onto Ironcliffe Road and keep heading south, past the Ferndene State Reserve, until you get to the Gnomon carpark, which is signed. Careful, there are some nasty potholes. A bloke we met on Mount Gnomon said that the road gets worse (much) after the Gnomon carpark, and may not be passable to normal vehicles.

Ulverstone seen from Mount Gnomon.

The track heads up the hill quite steeply in places, but it only take 15 or 20 minutes to climb Mount Gnomon.  You can find the highest point along the track among trees, but keep going until you emerge on the cliff face. This is the southern end of the cliffline you can see from Turners Beach. You can also see Mount Duncan to the south, and extensive views of the farmland to the east. Well worthwhile actually.

Mount Duncan, seen to the south from Mount Gnomon.

Mount Dial can also be climbed. The track from here to Mount Dial branches off before the last climb onto Mount Gnomon, and meanders down and then up along the ridge between the two. There is a good vantage point towards the northern end of the cliffline very close to the track. When I came out to look at the view here, I startled a peregrine falcon which took off carrying its dinner, and spent the next five minutes complaining loudly at me from some new perch further along the cliffs. I think it took me about 25 minutes to travel along the ridge and find the top of Mount Dial.

The farmland of northwest Tasmania, seen looking east from Mount Gnomon.

The track climbs onto Mount Dial, and you come up onto the ridge and find a track junction turning back sharply towards the south (right). This track clambers along the ridge, and you are left to guess which pile of rocks is the highest. I climbed around or over three until I was fairly sure the ridge further south was lower than where I had climbed to. The views from here are not as easy to obtain as on mount Gnomon, and I'm not sure of the value of this peak on its own. in fact, I think if time is available a complete traverse of the Dial Range is probably in order, so I might see if I can find time in the future.

The view from the top of Mount Dial (or near the top!)

Leven Canyon Floor - 28th December 2012

I took the opportunity to do a couple of short walks near Ulverstone recently. I'd previously been to the Leven Canyon lookout, but not down to the canyon floor, so I thought it was worth a look.

I didn't actually take the guidebook (Chapman) with me, so I wasn't too sure what tracks went where. The track starts about a kilometre beyond the turnoff for the lookout, where there is a small amount of parking, but also a cleared area across the road which might be OK. The track heads downhill, moderately and steeply, and shortly emerges close to the bottom of the gorge at a steel bridge. Beyond this the track climbs and falls with steep drops in places, and tree roots that would be slippery in the wet. It's not too hard, but you would need to watch children closely and assist them in places. The water was quite low when I was there, but I imagine when the flow is high that a slip into the river would be rapidly fatal.

There is a spot in the narrowest part of the gorge where you can clamber steeply down the rocks in the bottom of the gorge, and the cliffs rise steep and close on the far side. With the river in flood, I should think the water level rises rapidly.

Following a steep descent, including on a steel ladder, you emerge on the river bank where the canyon makes a tighter-than-90 degree right-hand turn, below a huge bluff which forms the inside corner. With the water low I was able to sit on a rock in the river and make this panoramic image. It's 16 shots (8x2) and shows more than a 180 degree view. To the right the river flows steeply towards the camera through the narrowest part of the gorge. The bridge you cross is back this way. The river flows around the bluff to the right of centre and down the gorge to its left. The tourist lookout is on the highpoint seen down the gorge in the background. I suspect this spot where I sat is not accessible when the water is high, but there is a viewpoint just above it which would give a good view of the river flowing into here and away down the gorge.

16-shot panorama, Leven Canyon

To the left of the shot is another valley which runs down to this point, and when I was there it looked like a river ought to flow down it. Indeed, Chapman (Penguin Crdale Trail section in his Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair book) notes that the river did once flow down this valley, before it was diverted to its current course by a huge landslide. Looking at the satellite photos of the area, it does indeed appear that the hillside above the bridge has slipped in the presumably quite distant past.

Tasmanian Geographic

For people interested in Tasmanian things geographic, this quite new website is worth a look. Not least because they've published our Driving Guide for Mount Wellington. There are plenty of other interesting articles there.

Overland Track Flora

Before it rained I tried to photograph as many of the plants in flower as I could. The early summer is a great time for wildflowers along the Overland Track.

Bauera rubioides, Wiry Bauera.

Boronia citriodora, Lemon-scented Boronia, or Lemon Thyme

Epacris serpyllifolia, Alpine heath

Melaleuca squamea, Swamp honeymyrtle.

Oxylobium ellipticum, Golden shaggypea

Richea scoparia, Scoparia

Richea scoparia, Scoparia

Nothofagus gunnii, Deciduous Beech or Fagus.

Orites revolutus, Revolute Orites

Orites revolutus, Revolute Orites

Epacris sp. (E. serpyllifolia?)

Gleichenia alpina, Alpine Coral-Fern

Telopea truncata, Tasmanian Waratah

Hibbertia procumbens, Spreading guineaflower

Overland Track in the Rain

Having done two Overland Track walks with rain most of the time, and others with rain at times, I have gathered some knowledge of the things you can do to make your trip more enjoyable if it rains, and I have observed many people who would have enjoyed their walk more if they had planned a little better. Most people will get some rain, and some people will get rain every day. If the weather is really poor, heavy rain, wind and perhaps sleet, without it actually snowing, it will be more difficult to enjoy it, and you may in fact get most enjoyment and satisfaction just from managing to do the walk. Most people though will need to be prepared for somewhat wet weather that stops them climbing some or all of the mountains they wanted to get up, and requires some care to maximise enjoyment and minimise discomfort.

Attitude and Expectations

Expect it to rain. The landscape wouldn’t look the same if it didn’t rain. Of course, we all hope for a fine sunny walk, but even in summer you will probably get some rain. In spring or autumn, it’s very likely and at worst it could rain for most or all of your trip. What will you do if that is the case? You might have travelled from the other side of the world to do this walk, and even if you live in Tasmania it will cost a fair bit to pay for your pass and organise transport. You’ve probably given up a week or so of time to get there, do the walk and get home again.

Firstly I suggest that you expect rain, and in fact if it didn’t rain, it wouldn’t be entirely representative of the place. It rains a lot here.

Secondly, make sure you are going to be comfortable in wet and cold weather, and be prepared to make the most of it. Don’t set yourself up to get cold and wet, then have to hibernate sadly in a hut rather than doing the things that can be done safely in the rain.

Forest near Du Cane Hut between
drizzles, with a hint of morning sun.

Thirdly, you will find it easier if you just enjoy BEING THERE. It really is a beautiful place, and the wildness is even more obvious in poor weather. This is a place you could die of exposure, get lost, or fall off something high, and it is deserving of respect. If it rains a lot on your walk, you will need to get over it and enjoy the fact that you are not stuck in the office, or a traffic jam, or your house. You are out there getting fit and gathering new experiences.

Finally here, remember that when it’s too wet for climbing mountains, the waterfalls are at their best. Wet weather can also improve the appearance of some of the forests.

Raingear

Of all your gear, this will be the most important if it’s wet. The tent comes second, and is almost as important. Make sure your coat keeps the wind and rain out. You will still get damp, as some water will come in round the edges, and you will sweat up the hills. Breathable coats are much better, but you will still usually get damp in them. If your raincoat is inadequate, you are going to keep arriving at overnight stops being cold and uncomfortable, you will absolutely be hurrying between huts and will miss sights and opportunities along the way, and you will tend to hide in the hut rather than doing anything else once you get there.

My firm view is that the longer raincoat styles are best – those trendy ones that come down just past your waist may look good in Salamanca, but they’re not good at keeping horizontal sleet out of your drawers. The heavy three-layer ones are best too – the thin ones tend to die under pack straps and from being abraded by the Tasmanian bush. And do I need to say it? If you shop at Anaconda or Kathmandu without careful discernment as to brands and suitability (or when there isn’t a sale), you deserve to get wet.

You may also find items like over-trousers and waterproof mitts are useful for extended wet walks. I like having the mitts, as gloves get wet very quickly, and wet gloves get old very quickly. You may just have something like waterproof ski gloves, but I like some thin ones I can use the camera with.

Tent

Tents with two water-resistant layers are best. (Plug here) I have Macpacs, and find that their outers are very waterproof, and their inners will stop much of the condensation, so that drips will run down the inner rather than coming through. Some mesh inners clearly are not very good once water starts to condense on the inside of the tent outer, and if anyone touches the tent walls, mesh inners are very water absorbent. Many cheaper tents are just not good in the rain, and I’m not sure why people bother with them. An additional benefit of the Macpacs is their multi-pitch ability – you pitch the fly and the inner together, or the fly and then the inner. You can take the inner out and pack it beneath the still standing outer, thus minimising the rain that gets on it. I presume there are other brands that also provide this capacity. Think about this carefully, tents get wet when being pitched and packed up.

Your tent will be vital if huts are full, which is more likely when it’s raining, because many other people on the track either have no tent or a tent which is crappy in the wet. In addition, when the huts are busy, the ability to slope off to your tent for a nap during the afternoon rainstorm is very welcome.

Of course, you are supposed to carry a tent that you can use if you are unable to reach the next standard campsite. I've met many people who wanted to do this – either they wanted to continue further, but not the whole way to the next hut, or they found a day hard going and wanted to stop early. Both of these reasons tend to lead to people camping at Frog Flats, and there are various other obvious places for camping, even if they’re not all marked on the maps. If you don’t even carry a tent, this won’t be an option. An emergency could see you relying on others for your survival.

Waterproofing other gear

You must make sure your sleeping bag and spare clothes stay dry. In Tasmania it is a rule that you should not rely on backpacks alone for this. Your sleeping bag should be in its own waterproof bag. I just use a waterproof compression sack for mine. Then I also have a pack inner which basically keeps everything dry, guaranteed. This can double as either a ¾ bivvy, a small groundsheet for sitting on and a separate sack for carting gear around. I note that some people use pack covers. These seem popular, so they must work OK, although I’m suspecting that my pack would admit water through what must be a multitude of seams and joints relating to the harness.

Your dry clothes

As a rule, you need a set of clothes that are guaranteed to stay dry. This will be at least thermals - top and bottom - and possibly jumper and socks. You need to avoid using these clothes just because yesterday your walking clothes got damp. If you haven’t been able to dry everything, too bad, put it on and get walking. Your body heat will dry it, or at least warm up the water. As long as you can keep the wind out, it’s a bit like wearing a wetsuit. Your dry clothes never get wet – if you have to go to the loo in pouring rain, you may need to change them. Make it a rule.

Warming Up

Barn Bluff just before the thunderstorm

Once you have got wet and cold, as soon as you arrive at a hut or campsite, you will start to cool off. You may rapidly find yourself too chilly. You need to put dry clothing on, you may need to get in your sleeping bag, put your hat on etc. You should make yourself a warm drink – I reckon Milo is best, but weak milky tea is good. You should eat some food. Busy huts will quickly warm up, but if there are just one or two of you, sometimes your tent will actually be warmer. In huts with coal stoves you can light the stove. I gather the gas stoves are tied to the temperature, and won’t even light until the temperature falls below 10°. However, if it’s 12°, you’re damp and chilly, and you have a coal stove handy, you may decide that’s a rule that ought to be broken.

Entertainment

If it rains and you have to sit inside a tent or hut, you will benefit from having something to do other than just consuming the next three days’ food and beverage supply. Books and card games are popular. I now take my Kindle, which is a fairly basic one. Lighter than one paperback, it can contain squillions of books and the battery lasts for a couple of weeks with wireless turned off. You can even put walk guides in it as pdfs, saving carting around photocopies. (However see Coal Fires below) It will need to be carried in a waterproof bag of some sort though. People were carrying mp3 players and other electronic devices, but batteries become a problem with these. (Just a note on phones – there is reception for voice, text and sometimes data on certain high points along the track, but don’t count on it. You are likely to get reception from the tops of mountains, and also from certain other points, most notably high on Pine Forest Moor. In emergency, find a ranger or Cradle Huts Guide.)

The Huts

When it’s raining, socialising in the huts can be the best form of entertainment. You will meet a strange mix of people, from media stars to penniless (and virtually foodless) backpackers, from senior politicians to hairy weirdos from somewhere in deepest Tasmania. You can find out all sorts of things about the track, other walks in Tasmania and well beyond, other places, other people’s jobs and so on. Even when it's not raining, you will probably find yourself travelling along the track with the same group of people each day and night, so it can be worth getting to know them a little. There are often things you can do for each other. One person has a pair of scissors, another has string, one has a needle and thread, another has the pliers needed to use the needle to sew up a pack or a boot. Need something, just ask.

Coal Fires

You will benefit from being able to light a fire. Apparently most of the coal stoves have now been removed. This will no doubt mean some huts are colder. If you find a hut with coal, good luck. They’re great once you’ve got them going. There are instructions in the huts, but they can be finicky. You really do need to get a good little blaze going in some wood kindling. Make sure there’s enough and always collect a load for the next group who come along and need to light a fire. Make sure you have some dry paper or a fire lighter. Paper is fine. I used my bus booking confirmation from the Launceston to Cradle leg, but track notes for the earlier part of the walk will also work fine. I did find that printer/copier paper wasn’t completely dry when I came to use it. I think carefully dried and protected newspaper or even clothes-dryer lint might have been better. Make sure you empty the ash drawer – if this clogs up the fire starts to work less well, and you won’t be able to properly control it to a low heat. Make sure you have and use small pieces of coal at first, they really do catch quicker. Make sure you keep it going once you’ve started it – otherwise you’re back to square one. Finally, don’t use them when it’s not necessary.

Just getting out and about

D'Alton Falls, improved
by rain!

 When it’s raining and you’re stuck in the hut, I suggest that you get out and about anyway. Sometimes your hut mates will be such that you are really keen to do this. There are various places near most huts that are worth a look. You can just wander along the track and check out the vegetation, even in the rain. Obviously a raincoat is going to be useful for this. Basically, I find it enjoyable to stroll about near the huts when it’s not raining too hard, seeing which plants I can identify. A camera is useful too – even when it’s raining there are things you can photograph.

Overland Track - Some Issues

Transport

The same issues I identified last time continue to exist. In discussion with people from various places along the track, it became obvious that most people found transport less than easy at both the start and end of the walk. One family had paid for a chauffeured drive at both ends due to their tight timeframe. Others had, like me, made multiple coordinated bookings to get themselves to the start. Everyone had found it complex, and were bemused at the every-other-day arrangements for some services. Overall, I think it could do with some attention, as the arrangements for Tasmania’s premier bushwalk are currently less than ideal. I suspect it derives somewhat from the economics imposed by the controlled numbers using the track, more on that below.

Mud

As was the case 18 months ago, but now somewhat worse, there are some significant mud wallows between Frog Flats and Pelion Hut, and then on the approach to Kia Ora. The descent to Frog Flats appears to be the same as I recall it for the last decade. You can go around them, as many have, or plough through them. In truth, they’re not like the mud pools on the South Coast Track and elsewhere in really badly damaged areas, but they’re getting there. People from elsewhere were surprised that such obvious track damage wasn’t repaired, especially when they’re paying quite a lot to use it. Given the expenditure on the Cape Hauy Track, a walk which was in pretty good shape anyway, I don’t think it’s too much to ask that the worst spots on the Overland Track get fixed.

Web Bookings

Two different walking groups noted that the web form where they paid for their walk didn’t confirm their booking. One had booked again, and then shortly after realised they had booked twice, so they induced a friend to do it with them. Another family of four didn’t get confirmation, so they booked again. They hadn’t realised their credit card had been hit up twice until they arrived to walk the track, whereupon the ranger had told them they would need to get their money back for the other booking. I have to assume that their spare booking kept four actual walkers from completing the track at the same time. This booking system could probably do with some attention.

Group Campsites

I saw no groups using the campsites. I’ve heard the companies providing this service are struggling to find punters, and let’s face it, why would you pay them squillions to “guide” you along this track, when you have to carry all your own gear and if you wanted to pay a lot, you could do it with Cradle Huts. In the meantime, the rangers try to stop people using the group campsites, which are clearly the best sites, when there is no group in evidence, no group booked, and nobody has seen a group anywhere along the track.

Under-equipped walkers

There was the usual bevy of walkers with barely enough equipment, even for the relatively benign conditions during my recent walk. Some (not all!) German backpackers were the most obvious – no stoves, insufficient food, dubious warm clothing, no tents. Other walkers found their raingear and tents did not deal well with actual rain, even what was quite light rain for this area. There was some surprise that hail and sleet were encountered during “summer”. In fact, given the weather, there would have been significant numbers of very uncomfortable walkers if the track was actually busy – quite a number of the people staying in huts had inadequate or NO tents and would have ended the walk very damp.

Numbers of walkers

There seemed to be far fewer than 60 walkers starting the track around the time I was there. Cradle Huts groups were less than 12, there were no other groups in evidence, and there didn’t seem to be anywhere near the allowed number of independent walkers. This might not always be easy to assess, but over a few days on the track, you get a sense of whether there are anywhere near 60 walkers starting per day. There weren’t. In any event, I would suspect that even 60 walkers starting per day are not sufficient to enable transport operators to set up proper services that get people where they need to be when they need to be there. This may account for the state of the transport services. I also wonder how many people were unable to book a place on the walk because someone else had to double-book to get a confirmation email from the website.

Flora at Hartz Peak

This is the right time of year for wildflower displays.

Anisotome procumbens, Mountain Celery.

Orites revolutus, Revolute Orites.

Donatia novae-zelandiae, Snow Cushionplant.

Donatia novae-zelandiae, Snow Cushionplant.

Unidentified

Epacris serpyllifolia, Alpine Heath.

Ozothamnus ledifolius, Mountain Everlastingbush.

Bauera rubioides, Wiry Bauera.

Drosera arcturi, Alpine Sundew, on cushion plant, Donatia novae-zelandiae.

Drosera arcturi, Alpine Sundew, on cushion plant, Donatia novae-zelandiae.

Bellendena montana, Mountain Rocket, flowers not fully opened.

Bellendena montana, Mountain Rocket

Bellendena montana, Mountain Rocket

Unidentifed

Unidentifed

Telopea truncata, Tasmanian Waratah. This extremely profuse display is right beside the track close to the carpark.

Telopea truncata, Tasmanian Waratah.

Telopea truncata, Tasmanian Waratah.

Telopea truncata, Tasmanian Waratah.

Richea scoparia, Scoparia

Eucalyptus coccifera, Snow Peppermint or Snowgum.

Miligania densiflora, Silky Milligania. This pant has been flowering very profusely this year. Apparently it flowers profusely every now and then.

Unidentified.