PINE VALLEY

Despite its unassuming name, Pine Valley is anything but unassuming. It is otherworldly. It is ancient. Full of weird and wonderful flora and fauna with some of the biggest pandani trees I have ever encountered. The perfect location to celebrate Oliver’s 29th lap around the sun…

It doesn’t take much to keep Ollie happy. Naturally, when questioning how to celebrate his birthday, the answer came easy. A hike. Plans became elaborate; paddle board the length of Lake St Clair, hike into pine valley and then ascend up the Acropolis the following day. But a multitude of factors including a poor weather forecast, a last minute uni assignment and a forgotten paddle board caused a slight readjustment to these ambitions.

Instead, we set out on foot, weaving in and out of forest along the edge of the lake. I had done this section of the track multiple times as the finale of the Overland Track but never in this direction. It was exactly as I remembered it… long. Once the forest cleared we were met with a spectacular view of the Du Cane Range with a dusting of snow and threatening looking clouds overhead.

Short on time we scrambled to the turnoff from the Overland. The track into Pine Valley was nothing like I’ve ever experienced hiking in Tasmania. Every step we took, the temperature dropped, the trees became more ancient and the screeches from the cockatoos overhead started to sound more and more like dinosaurs. Darkness hit as we reached the empty hut. After many attempts of lighting the fire with wet wood, we quickly inhaled some questionable dehy before hitting the sack.

The morning that followed can only be described as a winter wonderland… Blue and oranges of eucalyptus bark complemented by a thick layer of snow. Absolute heaven and a stoked Ollie one year older. We ascended up as far as it was safe before poor visibility and a hard to follow track turned us around. The walk out was a slog complimented with an uncomfortable chill but all worth it for the beauty that surrounded us.

If Tasmania was a person, it would be Oliver. Thankful for both of them.