It poured overnight and the wind howled as well. Everything was soaked. We spread tarps over everything before closing up the camper to prevent the wet canvas coming into contact with the seating and the bedding. The low cloud hung around for a while as we headed out through Queenstown towards the east. The landscape around the town is famous for its desolation. Here are the results of mining gone mad: trees and vegetation dead, the earth eroded and scoured by running water, the whole looking like a moonscape. In some places though, rehabilitation work is having some effect and the earth is slowly recovering. Just to the east of Queenstown is the Iron Blow, a huge hole in the ground where a mountain used to be, its copper all extracted and a poisonous green lake of water at the bottom. Stunning in its own way.

After crossing the iconic Franklin River and taking some time out to do a short forest walk along the river there, we came to Lake St Clair. The only place to stay here is at the caravan park so no choice today! Still a hot shower and being able to use the heater tonight seems like reasonable compensation.