🇦🇺 Launceston Day Trip｜Cradle Mountain, Under the Winter City Wall

I arrived in Tasmania in the evening, with Launceston as my first stop. The scenes from foreign literary works came to life here: people walking their dogs by the river, trees blooming in early spring, and yachts quietly docked… As I gazed along the Tamar River, it felt like a tranquil European town where something was about to unfold. 📍 Cradle Mountain I joined a KLook tour to Cradle Mountain. It was windy but luckily not rainy – alternating between clouds and sun. ⛰️ The tour was a bit rushed, though, leaving less than an hour for the Dove Lake walk. I wished I could’ve explored longer! The mountain’s dark grey slopes felt solemn and almost imposing, like standing beneath the Wall in Game of Thrones. Our guide shared the story of Gustav Weindorfer, the German immigrant who helped establish Cradle Mountain National Park. We visited his forest cabin – the air was incredibly fresh 🌲, like a natural spa for the lungs! 🔖 The wind at Cradle Mountain is intense – dress warmly! You can buy winter gear at the visitor center if needed. ❗️ The visitor center also sells souvenirs – don’t hesitate if you see something you like! Prices are reasonable, and some items are hard to find elsewhere. I still regret not getting the embroidered patches and fridge magnets 😭 Stops along the way: 📍 Mural Town (Sheffield) Not really my thing, but it’s a nice pit stop for a short stroll. 📍 Ashgrove Cheese Factory Tried the berry-topped cheesecake with lime ice cream ($15 AUD). The cake was light and not too sweet, but the lime ice cream tasted like toothpaste or shampoo 😂 Service was slow – it took 15 mins to get pre-made food. Not worth it if you’re in a hurry. We sampled some local cheeses – not really my taste, but interesting to try! 🍽️ Cataract on Paterson Pushed open the door from a quiet street into a buzzing, warm atmosphere – felt like stepping into a European movie! 🎬 The food and service were great. Highly recommend the seafood platter – fresh oysters and crispy squid rings were delicious. The beef cheek was tender, and the chicken skewers were tasty too 😋 The bill came with a handwritten note: “We hope you have an amazing evening :)” – left absolutely stuffed! 🥂 🏨 Mercure Launceston – Comfortable and well-located. #Tasmania #Launceston #CradleMountain #NoCarTravel #Australia #TravelDiary