On the first weekend in July, I hit the road, leaving my beautiful little patch at Lake St Clair and headed north to Cradle Mountain for a graduate collaboration with fellow ranger, Abbey.
While we each cherish our own corners of the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, it's always rewarding to come together, share experiences, and support each other's work across this incredible landscape which resides between the beginning and end of the iconic Overland Track, deep within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Abbey and I first teamed up a few seasons ago on Frenchmans Cap, and this time it was my turn to step into her backyard, to learn about and experience the day-to-day workings of the Cradle Mountain side of the park.
Each day began with a drive down to Dove Lake – and no matter the weather, it's simply breathtaking. There's a special kind of magic to the slow, winding roads that draw you into the heart of the mountains.
I asked Abbey, “Does this ever get old?"
She smiled and said, “Every day is amazing when you've got Cradle Mountain on your doorstep."
I couldn't agree more.
Graduate rangers Abbey and Bonnie take a selfie in front of the iconic Cradle Mountain
There's a deep sense of fulfilment and privilege in working to protect, manage, and share such a special place with others.
I have vivid memories of visiting the park as a child and so to be here now, doing this work, feels like something out of a dream.
The weekend offered plenty of memorable moments; a minor hot water issue at the Waldheim Cabins, a circuit of the Dove Canyon Track to scope potential works, checking vehicle parks passes (and spotting a few that were missing), as well as a stunning visit to the Vale of Belvoir.
We wrapped up the collaboration with a wheelbarrow trip out to Glacier Rock on the Dove Lake Circuit, where a few benches were due for a fresh coat of oil. It was a small, simple job — but with the number of visitors, timing was everything. We got it done in those quieter moments, early in the morning and late in the day.
The best part, I got to live out my dream of pushing a wheelbarrow to a work site — very Beau Miles style, I must admit!
Bonnie fulfilling her dream of pushing a wheelbarrow to a work site
Bonnie is all smiles as she adds a fresh coat of oil to the public bench seats