I’m so glad I got the car. Driving is really ok, she windscreen wiping problem persists, but is under control.

So I drove up the mountain, all the way to the top. Ok, I could have hiked. But it was 30 degrees. And I’ll keep that for the trip that my sister is already planning, as she reads these posts. I feel I’m like on a scouting mission to sniff out our best family trips from 2015 to 2025.

Anyway, back to the mountain. It’s a 22 kilometer drive uphill, a winding road – but I have done worse (Sabine: remember Sequoia National Park?). The scenery changes from the dry, Eucalyptus trees to dry bushes and smaller plants, to rocks.

The view from the top is breathtaking. Mount Wellington, or as it is called by the aborigines Unghbanyahletta, Poorawetter, or Kunanyi (depending on the tribe), is 1271 meters high, and as you’re at the ocean, you see all the 1271 meters down.

With that, it only comes in at #49 of Tasmania’s mountains. The highest is Mount Ossa, with 1614 m – not so much higher – but all in all Tasmania is a pretty rocky state.

On top of the mountain they planted two massive telecommunication antennas, one rather gracious metallic structure, the other one big concrete spire. However, I get it, it’s just an ideal spot: both transmit TV and Radio signals far, far into Tasmania.

One funny thing in the parking lot are the warnings about the effects the electronic waves might have on your car: you might not be able to open it with your remote key, or worse, the electronic might not unlock the car to drive off.

They have a whole bunch of tips there, including moving your car manually a couple of meters, as the field intensity and hence the interference might change rapidly from spot to spot.

There are a couple of viewpoints: you can climb on the top, or follow a few walkways to the best lookouts. You overlook Hobart, the River Derwent estuary, Storm Bay and, on a clear day, up to 100 kilometers into the western part of Tasmania, most of which is one big National Park and protected land.

Mt. Wellington is mostly snow covered throughout the year, though not during my visit. I was prepared: long jeans, jacked, shoes in the car trunk, but it was only a bit cooler on top than down in Hobart.

On the way back, a stop in the Cascade Brewery, the oldest one in Australia, founded in 1824. Gee, those convicts surely were thirsty!

It’s a great building. I was too late for the tours though, and what’s the point in visiting a brewery if you can’t sample some…? But as I am driving, I’m on a strict no-alcohol-policy!