OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA In the north-east of Tasmania, the magnificent mountain of Ben Lomond, with its imposing and precipitous cliffs, rises above rural pastures and forestry land. Visible over much of the northern midlands, this alpine plateau is home to a wide variety of alpine plant communities and animals and in seasons of good snowfall is the main focus of downhill skiing in the state. Its highest point, the summit of Legges Tor (1572 m) is the second highest peak in Tasmania.

The park is situated about 50 km or 1 hour south-east of Launceston. From Launceston take road C401 through White Hills then east toward Upper Blessington. 3.5 km before you reach Upper Blessington turn right into Ben Lomond Road (C432). It is 8 km from the Ben Lomond Road turn-off to the park boundary and 18 km to the alpine village. The road is unsealed and the final climb up Jacobs Ladder to the plateau is steep. For safety’s sake, there is a 30 km speed limit. Vehicles travelling uphill should give way to those descending.

Visitors can enjoy views of the dramatic landscape of dolerite rock columns and scree slopes. The vegetation of Ben Lomond is different to other parts of Tasmania and in summer the alpine wildflowers put on a colourful display. We were both a little nervous as we ascended but glad we had an AWD vehicle for added traction. The descent is a little scarier but the road is good.

Jacobs Ladder, in the bible, is the name for a connection between the earth and heaven that Jacob dreams about during his flight from his brother Esau, as described in Genesis 28:10-19.  I love verse 17 - "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it." And he was afraid, and said, "This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven".