On a brilliantly sunny day, Kelvin and I embarked on our first hiking adventure on Mount Wellington. Our plan was to begin with the Sphinx Rock track, then transition to the Lower Sawmill Track for the Octopus Tree on Shoobridge Track, and conclude our hike by following the North-South Track back to the Springs.
However, we inadvertently reversed our route, starting from the North-South Track without noticing the correct sign behind the restroom. This unintentional reversal added an exciting twist to our first hike.
It took us about half an hour from the Springs to reach the Octopus Tree. I had seen pictures of it before, but witnessing its grandeur in person was truly astonishing. This giant eucalyptus tree has roots that delve deep into the earth, wrapping around a boulder beneath it, resembling an octopus. As I circled the tree, I imagined it would take several people holding hands to encircle it. Tasmanian Eucalyptus trees are the tallest flowering plants on earth, and Tasmania boasts numerous of the world's tallest and largest trees waiting to be discovered.
Octopus Tree (Credit: Yawen He)
Continuing our journey, we made our way to Sphinx Rock. The path on the Lower Sawmill Track was challenging, as it was entirely uphill and slippery due to lichen. After another half hour, we reached the rock. "Stunning" was the first word that came to mind. This massive sandstone formation has been hanging there for ages. Resting under the rock, I could hear an echo that felt like it was coming from within me. I experienced a sense of inner peace unlike any I had felt before. Sphinx Rock holds a deep connection with the Aboriginal people of Tasmania, a connection I hope to learn more about.
Sphinx Rock (Credit: Yawen He)
A word of caution: we got lost trying to reach the Sphinx Rock lookout because there were no directional signs. To find the correct path, walk a few steps to your right when facing the rock, and you will see the correct sign after a couple of minutes. There are no railings at the lookout, although there is a childproof gate on the approach. Children should be supervised. We took a lovely picture there, signifying that we had completed the most challenging part of our first hike. After another 30 minutes of relaxed walking, we returned to the Springs. Finally, we found the correct entry to the Level 1 Sphinx Rock track, which is suitable for families.
Sphinx Rock Lookout (Credit: Yawen He)
Trust me, you need to set aside a day for the Sphinx Rock Circuit. Don't miss the only Octopus Tree in Australia and the stunning Sphinx Rock.
Ivy - Travel Advisor
Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre
