Boat Harbour and The Nut

Thursday 16th February, start of our 2nd week away, and one thing I did not expect to find in my morning shower was a tiny frog. 

I knew wildlife in Australia could be interesting, so the echidna and snake of the other day was not entirely unexpected. 

But the frog was a surprise. 

I carefully put it out in the garden, with some concern that perhaps I should be looking for a pond. However another frog was hopping across the concrete path in the same area so I assume the garden houses the local frog community. 

Having dealt with the frog, I looked up in the hallway to see a huge huntsman spider. Possibly the biggest I have ever seen and apparently only a baby! 

Our main plan for the day was to visit Stanley and climb The Nut. 

Once we arrived we did notice a wonderful new invention that promised to avoid all knee strain when climbing, so we felt it incumbent to test it purely for the benefit of future visitors. 

I was glad of generous ground clearance as we pulled out of the platform because just below us as we started the 'climb' I spotted a very large black snake! Disturbingly, there seemed to be no barrier to prevent this snake investigating the terminal area.... 

Once at the top we walked the 2km circuit  with no further sign of dangerous fauna, which was a relief, and the views and scenery were certainly excellent. 

Lunch at a great fish restaurant by the fishing boats also provided a couple of interesting signs

A bit of drive-by tourism looking at old houses, the grand homestead, ruined convict barracks, and a sweeping vista from Table Cape rounded out a pleasant day as we returned to our accommodation at Boat Harbour 

And thankfully, no further sign of venomous visitors, assuming the constant tapping on our bedroom window at the moment is merely caused by moths attracted by the light...