We arrive at Lake St Clair on a hot afternoon, after setting up camp for a couple of nights we decide to test the usually icy waters for a dip. It was just beautiful – views as well as temperature.

Our first night here was the hottest night we’ve had in Tassie. Keeping our eyes peeled for wombats…. but we didn’t see any.

Next day we take an afternoon walk to Platypus Bay, this tall browntop stringybark had fallen – possibly during the last day or so. It fell straight across the main (overland) walking track, it was 5-6 ft Ø and had a section cut out today for hikers to pass thru….. the weather had changed dramatically – its getting cold with sleet developing as we walked, what a change from the heat yesterday! The temperature dropped even more overnight – we had our coldest night since leaving home….just one day after one of our hottest!

We didn’t find any platypus at the bay, however just as we arrived back near the campground we stumbled across…..

Back in Arthur River Ranger Fi told us that an Echidna has 1757 quills ( a piece of info the kids have eagerly hung onto) – this one was just a younger one, but still great to get up close to.

Our visit to ‘the WALL’ nearby was one we will remember as one of our most amazing sights. Sculptor, Greg Duncan is hand carving 100 meters of Huon Pine panels, each 1m wide and 3m high and 4 inches thick. They depict the history of Tasmania and its flora and fauna, and is still a work in progress.

The detail in the images on the panels is amazing, they are carved in bas relief, the style of images on coins. It was incredible, and the purpose built gallery was like nothing we have seen anywhere in Tassie. Its a project that he has self funded, and is still 2 years off completion. Then he is hoping to start an exciting metal project – we loved his eagles around the car park, so it is bound to be great too.

The bar within the gallery was made from a section of old timber Hydro deviation pipe. We were told we could see them nearby, so when we leave Lake St Clair we hunted it down.

Still works – just leaks a bit……