Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
On our first day in Hobart, Tasmania, we visited Kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Kunanyi means mountain in Palawa Kani, the Aboriginal language of Tasmania. At Kunanyi, you can bike, hike and even rock climb on the towering Organ Pipe Rocks. We first took a bus to the top of the mountain, stopping at beautiful panoramic lookout points along the way. We decided to just go on the Organ Pipes Circuit hike from the Chalets to the Springs. It was really fun, although it was drizzling.
Our bus driver told us lots of interesting fun facts along the way, but I am only telling you a few.
Characteristics of Kunanyi
On top of the mountain is the Lattice Tower, which is the tallest structure in all of Tasmania. It also is home to the highest bathrooms, weirdly. The elevation is 1,271 meters above sea level. When we got to the top of the mountain we noticed the rocks right away. They were huge organ pipes and they were covered in this white stuff called lichen, which is algae and fungus mixed together. It sounds really gross, but it actually looked really cool. We also noticed the huge gum trees. Yes, gums trees. The same kind of trees the cockatoos hid in to scare us in Sydney. Thankfully, this time we didn’t get attacked.
Climate on Kunanyi
On top of Kunanyi, or on top of any mountain, it is always going to be windy and slightly colder than we’re you just were. Well, at Kunanyi it is so cold that it snowed three days before we came. And, it is summer here. SUMMER! There was once a snowfall that took three months to melt. Crazy stuff! So, if you come here, come in the summertime. The weather will be ten times better!
Animals at Kunanyi
One of the most important things that you want to see when you come to Australia are koalas, right? Well… there are no koalas in Tasmania. They have tried to introduce koalas here before, but in Tasmania, koalas are food. So… yeah. It didn’t work. I did see a wallaby on the drive down from the top. Maybe. It could have been a kangaroo. I don’t really know.
So you should come to here! It’s beautiful. And windy. And it might rain. Or snow. But it’s great!
