One of the reasons we choose to stay in the hostel we did, was because they offered a free shuttle to Mount Wellington on a Thursday. However, when we got to the hostel, we were informed that due to Christmas, the driver of the shuttle was on holiday.
Unsure if we were going to go up, we looked at alternative things to do in and around the Hobart area.
We looked into car hire, to drive to the historic Port Arthur, or elsewhere in Tasmania, but a one day car hire would have cost us $150!
In the end, we called a shuttle bus company to see if it was open on Boxing Day, and it was. $25 later, we were on our way.
Initially I thought we would be taken up there, left and able to get a later shuttle, but the shuttle was just that … a ride to the top and a 30 minute look around.
You could get dropped at the top, and walk the track down to the bottom, and later get a city bus back into the city. However, we weren’t prepared for a hike, so opted to have a short look around and to back with the bus.
The journey to the top took about 40 minutes. We had an informative tour guide that threw out a number of facts to us along the way.
The bus to the top went through forest and a windy track. On the way we passed several people walking or cycling up, which was crazy, as it was quite steep.
When at the top, we saw the most stunning views of Hobart, Tasmania. Just beautiful. These pictures will speak more than my words can.
A visit to Mount Wellington is a must if you’re in the area. Its Tasmania’s second hugest mountain (Cradle Mountain on the west coast is the biggest), but I’d definitely recommend spending more time at the top. Visit the toilets (best view from a toilet I’ve seen) and if you’re fit enough and prepared, do a hike (tramping) when you’re there.
[…] the end of 2013, I travelled back to Australia for a bit of backpacking in Tasmania and Melbourne. I spent 10 days there and got to drive a very wet and rainy Great Ocean […]
Abbi, thanks for sharing your visit to Mt Wellington. I have visited there once a few years ago but unfortunately when I visited it was covered in clouds! So I missed out on the fantastic view in your photos…
And I love your comment about the view from the public toilet – have a look at rednomadoz.blogspot.com.au as she has a series of articles about Australian public toilets with amazing views!
Thanks Anne. It really was stunning up there. What I didn’t mention was that I saw a snake in the bushes, something I guess you have to get used to in Australia, along with the Spiders and Kamgaroos on the highways! I would have loved to have had more time up here though. I do hope to go back to Tassie at some stage, much more to see.