Our travels have taken us to some truly stunning landscapes, but the area around Riana, Tasmania, definitely stands out. Having spent most of our lives in the relatively flat terrain of Western Australia, the hills here feel more like proper mountains to us.
On the 23rd of February, we decided to tackle what locals refer to as Mount Gnomon. Now, while it might not be Everest, it was certainly a climb! The initial ascent was a pleasant walk through dense Tasmanian bushland. The crisp air and the rustling leaves provided a welcome contrast to the sounds of the open road.
We could see the summit through breaks in the trees.
As we gained altitude, the terrain became noticeably steeper and rockier. We stopped frequently, ostensibly to admire the view, but really just to catch our breath.
The panoramic vista from the top was well worth the effort. We could see rolling hills stretching out towards the coast, a landscape dotted with farms and small towns. From our vantage point, we could also observe the changing weather patterns. The moody skies and the distant rain showers highlighted the rugged beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness.
While the ascent was challenging, the experience left us with a renewed appreciation for the power of nature. We have been reliably informed that gnomes do not, in fact, live on Mount Gnomon.
