The giants of Mount Field

The swamp gum, Eucalyptus regnans, is the tallest flowering plant on Earth and on the tall Tree circuit walk in Mount Field National Park, we got to meander through an impressive forest of these giants.  

I did this walk with Ally before in 2008, and once again, I was filled with wonder when standing at the foot of the trees and looking up.  

It amazes me to think that the largest of these trees were growing when Abel Tasman first sighted Tasmania in 1642!  It saddens me to think that some of these trees in Tasmania are at risk from the threat of proposed logging.

The Swamp Gums of Mt Field are so high that we had the opportunity to use a clinometer to calculate the height of the trees.

While doing the walk, we gave some impromptu assistance helping a couple find a geocache. Lauren's experience came to the fore and she found in minutes what they'd been struggling for ages to find. 

This is my favourite photo of the day. Liz always sets up the best tree photos!

Here's an inscription written on a board in the forest that resonated with me ...

Using all your senses 

Take some deep breaths and relax for a while.

Have you noticed any wildlife in the forest?  Have you heard the sound of the wind in the treetops or savoured the fresh air?

Our lives are not lived at the pace of the forest.  In our culture there is too little time for contemplation.

Why not take a seat?  Or lie down and watch the clouds drift past the tops of the highest trees.  Be silent.  See yourself as part of the forest.

In search of platypus

After our forest walk, we drove to a secluded spot with a river because we'd heard there were platypus there.  However, by then it was mid morning and they were nowhere to be found.  They like dusk and dawn.  Instead, we were welcomed by these gorgeous flowers. And some nice old abandoned buildings which I always love because they are a reminder of the impermanence of things.

Next stop

• For our next adventure, we moved onto Freycinet.

Places in Tasmania we visited

• Cradle Mountain National Park
• Lake St Clair National Park
• Mount Field National Park (The Tarn Shelf)
• Mount Field National Park (Tall Trees walk)
• Cathedral Peak (Mount Wellington)
• Freycinet
• Leaping in Tasmania
• Daily life on our trip
• Previous Tasmania visit (2008)

Photos by others in the group

• Lauren
• Liz
• Srini
• Zante