Day 15: Finally, I was able to use up some vouchers I was kindly given for my birthday and Christmas to go on a scenic flight and wilderness tour of the remote Southwest National Park world heritage area. The day was warm and clear as the small six seater departed, heading off over Hobart and the Mount Wellington massif.
We passed the Huon Valley and several ranges and valleys as the landscape became progressively wilder and more remote.
Nearing our destination, Melaleuca, we turned south at the distinctive form of Federation Peak, which is often in cloud but not on this fine morning.
The plane then glided over the huge Bathurst Harbour, which is joined to the ocean by a narrow channel and remains very calm and reflective.The plane landed on a gravel strip, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The only sign of anything was a small hut saying welcome to South West Wilderness National Park and a small crate belonging to the Police at the end of the runway. The landscape was pretty barren, buttongrass moorland running up to stony ridges and peaks. From the airstrip a path led to a creek where a tin boat awaited us and took us on a beautiful journey meandering up river and eventually out onto the glassy expanse of Bathurst Harbour. Here we stopped for some morning tea, the peak of Mount Rugby dominating the environment as pink jellyfish curiously wandered over to our boat.
We then powered on out to Port Davey and towards the entrance to the harbour, the landscape very reminiscent of the south west coast of New Zealand, with bays and inlets meeting the sheer walls of mountain ranges.
A scrumptious lunch of fine Tasmanian fare was had on a small gravely beach, overlooking the harbour and mountains, with barely anything but the flies for company. The water is actually quite dark, coloured by natural tannin from the plants growing in the area.
The boat turned round and as the weather began to close in a decision was made to leave a bit earlier than planned. Previously 29 bushwalkers had been stranded down here because the weather was too bad to get them out by plane (the nearest road is 4 days walk away!) I had a flight back home tomorrow so didn’t really want to stay. 
The flight back was a bit bumpier but took us along the south coast, and the bays of Bruny Island, which was being peppered with showers.
It was with slight relief that we landed safely back at Hobart, avoiding the worst of the weather. Despite being curtailed, it was a wonderful trip into the wilderness – strange to be back in Hobart after being somewhere so remote.
The early finish meant I had time to pack, have a rest and meet one last remaining member of my trip, Kelly, for some nice Italian food. A good dinner at the end of a good holiday, the perfect end to an amazing two weeks of such incredible diversity, great people, fine weather, delicious food, good Tasmanian beer, interesting wildlife and too many fish and chips! Thanks to all who made it so memorable.
The flight back was a bit bumpier but took us along the south coast, and the bays of Bruny Island, which was being peppered with showers.It was with slight relief that we landed safely back at Hobart, avoiding the worst of the weather. Despite being curtailed, it was a wonderful trip into the wilderness – strange to be back in Hobart after being somewhere so remote.
The early finish meant I had time to pack, have a rest and meet one last remaining member of my trip, Kelly, for some nice Italian food. A good dinner at the end of a good holiday, the perfect end to an amazing two weeks of such incredible diversity, great people, fine weather, delicious food, good Tasmanian beer, interesting wildlife and too many fish and chips! Thanks to all who made it so memorable.
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