Lodge Review – Discovery Holiday Parks – Cradle Mountain

Holiday Parks in Australia do a great job of offering something for everyone at a reasonable price and the one at Cradle Mountain is no exception. They have camping, caravan spaces and fully contained cabins and excellent communal facilities for cooking and laundry.  The setting is in the bush and you are likely to encounter wild animals walking to and from the cooking hut!  While they have a small shop if you forget to bring something I recommend buying your groceries in Hobart for better choice and prices.

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Shared cooking facilities are also excellent!IMG_7897 - Copy IMG_7899a - CopyCabins have a variety of bedding available and can accommodate couples or families.

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Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) is a large cockatoo native to the south-east of Australia measuring 55–65 cm (22–26 in) in length. It has a short crest on the top of its head. Its plumage is mostly brownish black and it has prominent yellow cheek patches and a yellow tail band. The body feathers are edged with yellow giving a scalloped appearance.

These photos were taken near the Cheese Shop on Bruny Island.

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Here’s a couple pics taken near Stanthorpe, Queensland.

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The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is found in forested regions from south and central eastern Queensland to southeastern South Australia and on Tasmania.  I have seen them near the afore-mentioned Cheese Shop on Bruny Island, near Hobart, near Girraween in South-East Queensland and on the road to Lamington National Park.  They can also be seen in the outer suburbs of Brisbane near Mt Glorius.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOOS

Wikipedia

World Parrot Trust

Birdlife

Birds in Backyards

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

VIDEO

Nice close-ups of a YTBC eating.

Cradle Mt – Lake St Clair National Park

I was initially attracted to Cradle Mt – Lake St Clair National Park because of the bird list, but later I came to realize that mammals are the primary attraction here.  Tasmanian Devils are the star attraction at Devils@Cradle.  It’s an easy drive from Hobart or anywhere else in Tasmania for that matter.

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You will need to stop here and buy entry tickets.  If you are visiting other parks in Tasmania it’s best to get a multi-park pass.  If you buy your pass here, it will include bus transportation to the lake and hiking trails.  Driving in with your own car is limited to IIRC the first 50 cars as they want to minimize traffic and damage to the environment.

Bus route

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The most popular thing to do at Cradle Mountain is hiking on the trails around the lake.  There are trails that range form one hour to several days.  You must register your hiking plans at the office for your safety.IMG_7851 - Copy IMG_7849 - Copy IMG_7850 - Copy IMG_7848 - Copy IMG_7852 - Copy IMG_7855 - Copy IMG_7856 - Copy IMG_7907 - Copy IMG_7908 - Copy IMG_7912 - Copy IMG_7913 - Copy IMG_7916 - Copy IMG_7918 - Copy IMG_7919 - Copy IMG_7928 - Copy

This is one of the bus stops and a great place to get more information about Cradle Mountain.IMG_7930 - Copy

Just 5 minutes from the Ranger Station is the beautiful Enchanted Walk.  The scenery is stunning, you may be lucky enough to see animals such as wallabies, pademelons, echidnas, platypus, wombats or even Tasmanian Devils!  There are hides where you can either shelter from rain or sit and observe animals.  There weren’t many birds on this trail.IMG_7931 - Copy IMG_7932 - Copy IMG_7933 - Copy IMG_7935 - Copy IMG_7938 - Copy IMG_7939 - Copy IMG_7941 - Copy IMG_7942 - Copy IMG_7943 - Copy IMG_7944 - Copy IMG_7950 - Copy IMG_7951 - Copy IMG_7952 - Copy IMG_7954 - Copy IMG_7955 - Copy IMG_7956 - Copy

ACCOMMODATION

A wide variety of accommodation is available from the luxurious Peppers (pictured below) to camping at the Discovery Holiday Park.  We were in the middle and took a cabin at the DHP (see separate review).IMG_7957 - CopyHere’s a screenshot of what’s available during low season (not school holidays).

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Please be considerate of your fellow hikers and nature lovers and carry your trash out with you.  Look at all the junk some selfish pigs have left behind on the trails!  Please help Tasmania stay natural and beautiful!

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Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

The Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), also known as the superb blue-wren or colloquially as the blue wren, is a passerine bird of the family Maluridae, common and familiar across southeastern Australia.  They were recently voted as Australia’s favourite bird.  Two subspecies groups are recognized: the larger and darker Tasmanian form cyaneus and the smaller and paler mainland form cyanochlamys.

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IMG_7594a IMG_7644a IMG_7642aSuperb Fairy-wrens have a large range in eastern Australia and Tasmania.  I’ve personally seen them in the Captain Cook Caravan Park in Bruny Island, Strahan, around Hobart and near Girraween National Park in Queensland.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SUPERB FAIRY-WRENS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Birds in Backyards

Beauty of Birds

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

VIDEO

Beautiful close up footage from Chris Rishworth on YouTube.

Lodge Review: Strahan Wilderness Lodge

When researching accommodation options in Strahan, all I had to see was this sentence on the Strahan Wilderness Lodge website and I knew I had the right choice!

In the Lodge, you may join old or new friends in the lounge and enjoy breakfast overlooking the gardens and the fishing fleet anchored in Mill Bay; take a stroll to Smugglers Cove or the Harbour View terrace en route maybe catching a glimpse of some of Tasmania’s rarest birds which frequent the grounds.

I emailed them to make sure they were referring to Eastern Ground Parrots and was assured they were indeed!

The location was good, in the bush but near enough the town to drive in for meals.

 

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AAlthough Trip Advisor reviews are mixed, I think the people who weren’t happy here kind of missed the point of staying in a wilderness lodge.  The focus is on Tassie charm and the natural environment.  I loved it!

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Rooms are very reasonably priced, include breakfast and have access to a shared bathroom.IMG_7797

In the end, it’s all about the birds!IMG_7814a IMG_7843a

Birding In Strahan, Tasmania

Strahan, Tasmania is going to be on most serious birder’s itineraries as it is one of the few places in Australia to see Eastern Ground Parrots reliably.  It’s actually a cute seaside town with lots of local charm.

We did a car swap in Hobart after leaving Bruny Island since I got a better rate with Thrifty Car Hire via RACQ.

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It’s a beautiful drive through the mountains from Hobart to Strahan.IMG_7793 IMG_7794 IMG_7801

 

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which I reviewed here.

Traditional pub accomodation, also good meals can be found here.IMG_7802

Misty sunriseIMG_7804 IMG_7807 IMG_7812

Flushing a Ground ParrotIMG_7813 IMG_7813a IMG_7814a IMG_7815 IMG_7817 IMG_7820

A short walk away from the Wilderness Lodge, we saw Emu-wrens and Superb Fairy-wrens.IMG_7827 IMG_7833 IMG_7842 IMG_7843a

Bruny Island Penguin Rookery

In my other post, I mentioned that you will drive past a Penguin Rookery which is well signed.

P is for Penguin

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Penguins start coming ashore after dark.  Your lodge will tell you when to go as it varies at different times of the year.IMG_7653

They have excellent information about the Little Penguins as you enter the Rookery.  Entry is free and they have strict rules against flash photography.  I did the best I could while someone used a red lamp to highlight a penguin.  There was no moon and it was really dark.  We brought blankets from Captain Cook’s as it was pretty cold even in Autumn!IMG_7656 IMG_7657 IMG_7658

Sorry, this was the best I could do with no light!IMG_7654aSince I couldn’t get a good shot, this one from Wikipedia will have to do.

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Tasmanian Native-hen (Tribonyx mortierii)

The Tasmanian nativehen (Tribonyx mortierii) is a flightless rail and one of twelve species of birds endemic to the Australian island of Tasmania.  Other common names include narkie, native-hen, waterhen and turbo chook.

IMG_7681 IMG_7614The Tasmanian Native-hen is entirely confined to Tasmania.  They are easily seen wandering around the stream behind the Captain Cook Caravan Park on Bruny Island.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BIRD

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

VIDEO

Birding Bruny Island

Bruny Island is on the bucket list of many birders for its rich and varied birdlife.  Inala has a good list of birds and mammals found here.  They can also provide accommodation and guided birding tours.

Being budget travelers, we birded independently as we drove south from the ferry dock.  Here are some of the best birds we saw (that I got pics of).

We saw our first Tasmanian endemic bird – Green Rosellas a few km before the Cheese shop.

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A small flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos were in the trees surrounding the Cheese Shop.IMG_7496a IMG_7527a IMG_7539a IMG_7549a

Assorted sparrows, LBJs and Fairy-wrens were at the Penguin Cafe hoping to snatch up leftover food.IMG_7569a IMG_7575a IMG_7579 IMG_7590 IMG_7591

The bright blue Superb Fairy-wrens are male, the brown ones are female.IMG_7594a IMG_7596a IMG_7599a IMG_7600a IMG_7644a IMG_7642a

We saw a Scarlet Robin in the Captain Cook Caravan Park grounds.IMG_7624a IMG_7617a

Moving down to the beach opposite Captain Cook’s we saw some black swans.IMG_7639 IMG_7637

Tasmanian Native Hens were in the grounds at Captain Cook’s.IMG_7614 IMG_7681 IMG_7659

These Green Rosellas were foraging at the entrance to Captain Cook’s.IMG_7666a IMG_7667a IMG_7683 IMG_7685 IMG_7687

We had almost given up hope for the Swift Parrots when a lady said she saw some near her cabin which was one of the cabins nearest the beach.  Sure enough, there was a Swift Parrot living up to his name by flying swiftly from one tree to another.  I did my best to get a good shot but he wasn’t going to make it easy!IMG_7703 IMG_7710a IMG_7716a IMG_7736 IMG_7739a IMG_7745a IMG_7746a IMG_7766a IMG_7770a

Lodge Review: Captain Cook Caravan Park

Captain Cook Caravan Park has something for everyone whether you just need space for a tent or caravan or want to relax in a fully equipped cabin.  Prices are pretty good so we went for the cabins and really enjoyed them!  Of course the biggest draw was the fact that Captain Cook’s is known for having Swift Parrots hanging around the grounds!

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There’s a good variety of cabins, some have 1 or 2 bedrooms, some have full kitchens and some have views of the beach.IMG_7610 IMG_7601 IMG_7609 IMG_7584

Kitchen and dining areaIMG_7585

Master bedroomIMG_7586

Extra bedroom with bunk bedsIMG_7587

BathroomIMG_7588Green Rosella near our cabin

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Swift Parrot flying swiftly through the grounds.

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