OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA We left Richmond early morning to visit Peter Rabbit Garden at Riversdale Estate on our way to Hobart. Mount Field National Park  is  64 km northwest of Hobart via New Norfolk.

Mount Field National Park was created in 1916 as one of Tasmania’s first national parks in order to protect Russell Falls and the surrounding forests. The landscape ranges from eucalyptus temperate rainforest to alpine moorland, rising to 1,434 metres at the summit of Mount Field West.  It is interesting to note that in 1899 Russell Falls were selected as one of eight images to be used on a set of pictorial postage stamps, aimed at promoting the then colony's growing tourist industry.

Our purpose for visiting Mt Field NP was to view and photograph Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. At the rear of the information centre we proceeded up the trail to the edge of the rainforest where a larger sign lists the hiking times to Russell Falls (25-minute return), Horseshoe Falls (45-minute return), Tall Tree Walk (75-minute return), and Lady Baron Falls (2 hour 30-minute circuit). We did the full circuit and enjoyed changes in forest types as we visited all three waterfalls.  The walk passes through towering swamp gums and species typical of wet forests and cool temperate rainforests such as dogwood, musk and myrtle. We ascended and descended a little over 100 metres along the way as we enjoyed the cool rainforest and dry forest. Each rainforest had its own character and well worth a visit.

On the way back we battled our way through Hobart peak hour traffic as we drove to the summit of Mt Wellington. The mountain is the summit of the Wellington Range on whose foothills is built much of the city of Hobart. The mountain rises to 1,271 metres (4,170 ft) above sea level and is frequently covered by snow, sometimes even in summer, and the lower slopes are thickly forested, but crisscrossed by many walking tracks and a few fire trails. The narrow road to the summit is sealed and about 22 kilometres from Hobart central business district. An enclosed lookout near the summit provides spectacular views of the city below and to the east, the Derwent estuary and also glimpses of the world heritage area nearly 100 kilometres west. From Hobart, the most distinctive feature of Mount Wellington is the cliff of dolerite columns known as the Organ Pipes.

When we visited it was 15 degrees at 5.30pm but with the bitingly cold wind it felt much colder! Surprisingly there were many tourists at this time of day. I was fortunate to be there at the right time of day to capture a team photo of a local Aussie Rules team on the summit with Hobart in the background!