by taswegian » Sun 25 Jun, 2017 11:11 am
Whilst acknowledgement there needs to be a suitable place to receive visitors, it's the experience or what tourists expect when they arrive at their 'must see destination' that counts.
I often wonder if Cradle, being one of those 'must see destinations', is to many, another place to receive the stamp and tick off their bucket list.
They come, they see, they go.
Many come through here, see Mt Roland and ask 'is that Cradle Mountain?'
Having worked in the 'Cradle precinct' on an off for years it's appears (to me) the experience is not the silence, sounds, smell, wet, wind, frost, snow, bracing air, the sheer pleasure and privilege of being in such places, but all the trappings that modern, insulated from the harsh environs has to offer.
To answer your question NNW I'm concerned for that very question.
The mind boggles.
Light shows, strategically placed, Casino, JB hifi....
Perhaps strippers and pole dancers.
I remember pushing dad around a boardwalk years ago and the pleasure he had from seeing, smelling and touching. Made his day.
He went to see what that area does best. It's wardrobe of natural wonders that adapt with the seasons, drawing endless ever changing patterns across the landscape.
Much of 'the experience' that many attend could be had, off course, in a modern site and sound experience with sounds of our 4 seasons, cold air blasted in, screen shows of Cradle over Dove Lake from dusk to twilight to dusk.
Then offer the real experience with a caveat of the reality of what to expect.
I love Maria Island. It's laid back, and to many antiquated approach to modern tourism and I hope they can keep that.
That approach could be used at Cradle and help keep its beauty and bring an awareness (hint) of what our real wilderness is all about.
I'll stop dreaming now,and just savour the many beautiful times I've had in the area of a now fleeting era.