March 25, 2016. Adventures at Cradle Mountain

CAMPGROUND:  Discovery Park at Cradle Mountain.  Commercial campground inside national park.  Fantastic communal kitchen with 2 roaring fireplaces.  Ok bathrooms.  4 stars.  $33/night

LOCATION:  Cradle Mountain National Park in north central Tasmania, Australia

WEATHER:  Rain, rain, rain. High around 70 on coast, 50 at the mountain.

We hiked along the beach at Crawfish Creek, then packed up and left.  We followed the coast, stopping in one coastal town to watch people fishing and waterskiing.  Then we drove inland and upward.  We encountered rain and wind halfway up.  

We went to the information center to get ourselves organized.  George bought a rain jacket as it was raining pretty hard.  I layered up (5 layers), not caring what I looked like.

We took one of the park's hikes, then tucked into the pub at the lodge.  The fire was really toasty.

Our campsite is right next to the communal kitchen.  It was packed with campers, having a glass of wine and drying out their clothes and shoes in front of the fireplaces.  There are lots of international visitors.  We talked with a fellow from Behrain and a Yankee couple who live in Sydney.  

We fixed dinner and hung out in the kitchen/lounge area talking with people.  

DINNER:  Steak, potatoes, onions and mushrooms.  Slices of tomato with a spicy mayonnaise.  

Even though it was cold (about 40 during the night), we stayed warm and dry in the camper.