Dawn light casts such a magical spell over everything. It can be amazing how long it lasts too, especially if you arrive at a place before dawn and watch the sun just come up and then rush along to the next viewpoint. That's what I did on this morning, heading to the lighthouse at Freycinet National Park, Tasmania. I like to visit lighthouses mainly because my husband does, and even though I kick up a fuss, saying 'what, another lighthouse?' secretly things that bring HIM joy bring ME joy too.
Besides, you always get spectacular views from lighthouses.
This one had an awesome walking platform all around it so there were views from every section. Even though it was a fairly short walk, it was still beautiful, and it took a while as I had to keep stopping and taking photos.
It's also a great spot to watch whales (as well as sea birds, sea-eagles, seals and dolphins), but it wasn't really the time of year to do so. They did have a really groovy measuring demonstration on the boardwalk though, so you could see how long an orca might be, or a blue whale - fantastic for kids.
The islands off shore were home to lots of nesting birds. With no natural predators on the islands, they were a real safe haven for birds that are threatened in many places, especially with us tourists traipsing all over their beaches with dogs and the like!
You can walk up here from town - about 10 km, I think - but I was keen to get onto the next place. Lighthouse, tick. Sunrise, tick. Next was surfing - tick. It was just the beginning of what was a really amazing day. Dawn's always worth getting out of a warm toasty bed for, don't you think?
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