Armed with a copy of '60 Great Short Walks', Jessica Palmer and her family decided to have an outdoor adventure in Tasmania
As I stood looking out over the cape, it dawned on me what all the fuss was about. Up until this point the hike was enjoyable, but I certainly wouldn’t have placed it in my top five. Even my two-year-old in our trusty old Kathmandu Carrier stopped shovelling biscuits into her mouth long enough to say, “Wow, look at that mummy!”

I stood in awe looking at the scene before me. A single track snaked over the steep undulating cape before me.

“Is that it? Is that Cape Hauy?” I call out to my husband.

“I hope so,” he replied. “It’s got to be, doesn’t it?”

Now I’m worried, I don’t have it in me to do more than a few more kilometres carrying this weight. The weight in question is my two-year-old. My husband is bearing the load of our four-year-old and both kids have gone on a walking strike. I certainly don’t expect them to walk the whole 8.8km at their young age, but I can usually count on them managing 1 km per year of age before retiring to the hiking carrier.

I was on a mission to prove that hiking with kids can be fun and at this point, was feeling doubtful we would even achieve our first hike in Tasmania.

Cape Hauy Track Tasmania

I find a seat, unwrap the peanut butter sandwiches and peel a banana. With the heavy load removed from my back, and now happily running around, I breathe a sigh of relief.

The huge dolerite cliffs that dominate South-East Tasmania’s coastline rise proudly like sentries, white in contrast to the turbulent dark blue waters of the Tasman Sea.

Reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race, I decide to push on. The descent is steep and the views from the bottom are also incredible. The huge dolerite cliffs that dominate South-East Tasmania’s coastline rise proudly like sentries, white in contrast to the turbulent dark blue waters of the Tasman Sea.

The same sea, over who knows how many hundreds or thousands of years, has assaulted the cliff face long enough to create an archway. As I rest my legs before the next ascent, I watch mesmerised as the waves smash against the cliff and flow violently through the archway, where the colour changes to a turquoise that contrasts with the white peaks. It recedes again just as quickly as it enters, and the process repeats.

The kids talk non-stop between snacks and there are a couple of safe opportunities to let them walk, which they make the most of by poking at things with sticks.

The view at the track end is both geologically fascinating and ruggedly beautiful. The tall sea stacks known as the “candlestick” and “totem pole” are thankfully, not part of this walk, but I was a bit disappointed there were no climbers on them. The kids have fallen asleep on our backs and miss the view.

Tasmania editorial only

The walk back was a one foot in front of the other affair with not much talking. Both of us trying to cover as much ground as we could whilst the kids were sleeping. Once back at the seat, the hard part is over and it’s mostly downhill back to the white sands of Fortescue Bay.

Conclusions were made that the walk, whilst not laugh out loud fun, was absolutely worth the effort. The wildlife, the views, and Tasmania’s pristine air all combines to one sweaty but enjoyable experience.

My legs didn’t think so the next day, or the day after that.

With the theory that my legs needed to get moving again to fully forgive me, I planned to hike into the Apsley River Gorge on Tasmania’s East Coast. Rated a grade three hike, it’s much easier than the grade four Cape Hauy track.

The walk begins with an easy path down to the Apsley River waterhole. It’s quite a pretty spot and apparently popular with locals in warmer weather. The group that arrived prior to us, had stripped down to their underwear and were attempting to submerge themselves in the water. Most didn’t get past their knees before deciding it was too cold.

Tasmania

We cross the water hole, using dry rocks as stepping stones. The kids are excited for this adventure, after all, this one involves water and rocks. The ascent is not too hard, even my four-year-old manages it, using his hands to scramble up. Once at the top, the walk is pleasant and uneventful, but the company is fun.

You can sense the gorge long before you reach it. The unmistakeable sound of water trickling, the way the dry eucalypt forest becomes lush and green. Even the birds become louder, their chirpy songs interrupting my thoughts. I follow the bright yellow tree markers, picking my way down a series of steep, but carefully placed rocks. My daughter is safe in the carrier on my back, and my son is being carefully shadowed by his dad.

The foliage opens up, and there is the Apsley River Gorge in all its glory. The river bed is partially dry with pools of water, in which the kids decide to throw rocks. The river must be dangerous after heavy rains, but for now, a small waterfall trickles about 30 metres away, backdropped by high dolerite walls. It’s nothing short of pristine and it feels like we have found a secret paradise.

Tasmania

We spend an enjoyable hour skimming stones, eating lunch, and exploring. I joke that I’m ready to sell everything we own and move to Tasmania to live in the wilderness, except part of me isn’t joking. Both kids agree it’s a good idea.

I’m told that if it’s dry enough, instead of hiking back on the track, you can also boulder hop all the way down the Apsley River until you reach the water hole that you passed at the very beginning. Now that would be fun!

A few days later, we also complete a 6km walk around Dove Lake in the Cradle Mountain area. The track was for the most part, completely obscured by snow. I can’t begin to describe how picturesque the combination of snow, greenery, looming mountain, and lake were. Nor how fun it was to throw snowballs at each other for the first time.

I felt like I had achieved what I set out to do, to prove that hiking is both possible and fun with young kids.

Overnight hiking with young kids? Is it achievable? Can it be both fun and achievable? That’s a story for another day!

Suggested Itineraries
Mongolia for Families

From S$7,150 pp

Mongolia for Families

Ulaanbaatar & Central Heartland

  • The kids will love the experience of sleeping in traditional Mongolian felt tents, or ‘gers’
  • Whether it’s horse ack riding or walking, get the kids out in nature and be active all throughout this holiday
  • Learn about Mongolian culture first-hand by staying alongside a nomadic host family, helping them with their daily chores and letting the kids play and interact with the host children

When to go:

J F M A M J J A S O N D
ideal length 7 nights
CLIFFS OF MOHER_SUNSET

From S$11,740 pp

Ireland Highlight Tour

Ireland

  • Visit the highlights and pubs in Dublin
  • Admire Powerscourt – one of the finest gardens in Europe
  • Learn about the crystal producing in Waterford
  • Driving through Ireland’s best scenery – Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Cliff of Moher

When to go:

J F M A M J J A S O N D
ideal length 10 nights
felucca on the Nile river

From S$7,890 pp

Egypt For Families

Cairo Aswan, Luxor & the Nile

  • See ancient mummies at the famed Egyptian Museum
  • Crawl through the tombs in the Great Pyramid of Cheops
  • Go camel riding through the desert
  • Sail down the Nile aboard your luxury cruise, with activities for the whole family
  • Enjoy relaxation by the Red Sea after plenty of learning and exploration

When to go:

J F M A M J J A S O N D
ideal length 11 nights
Destinations Featured in the Article
Rain forests in Tarkine, Tasmania. Moss covered tree trunks and logs

Tasmania

From climbing jagged mountain peaks, to exploring wild coastlines, to diving into history, there’s plenty to do in Tasmania with Lightfoot Travel.

Similar Articles
Choose Lightfoot Travel
  • Knowledge
  • Expertly Crafted
  • Value
  • Peace of Mind