TASMANIA – LAUNCESTON

NOVEMBER 9, 2025

We spent a day in Launceston at the Cataract Gorge. This 65 million year old gorge is a mere 1.5 km from the city centre. The rugged beauty, combined with the peace of wilderness, is one of the big drawing features to this area.

There are modern amenities, such as restaurants, a swimming pool, large lawns

and a chairlift spanning 308 m (1,010 ft) over the First Basin. We chose to walk the 4 km circuit along the Zig-Zag trail on the south side of the gorge,

across the KING’S BRIDGE,

past the KING’S BRIDGE CARETAKERS COTTAGE,

through the now defunct Toll Booth, and along the north side of the gorge,

where we could see the rock climbers on the south side of the gorge.

past the DUCHESS HUT,

Through some amazing rhododendron trees, as they were way too big to be bushes!

Past a cement SHELTER that looked like it was built out of trees

Across the SUSPENSION BRIDGE

and back to the FIRST BASIN.

We also came across a bunch of free roaming peacocks during their mating season. The one male was putting on a magnificent show of rustling his spread tail feathers,

and puffing out his fine back side fluff. Oh, he put on a dance and a show. Everyone around was taking pictures and videos like crazy. But, alas, the female was not interested and moved away.

A little girl walked right up to the peacock in full regalia. Her mother was telling her to move back, as people were trying to take pictures. I told the Mom that her daughter, standing in front of the peacock, was the best photo-bomb ever!

In the park area a young lady was sitting off to the side, playing her violin. I first thought it was piped in music for those laying on the grass. I asked her if she played professionally, she said she used to but had to stop during COVID. I told her she needs to perform publicly again.

I saw this cute little bird, aptly named a SLENDID FAIRYWREN.

It does not seem like much, but it was a wonderful day to spend on a beautiful hike and take in some amazing scenes.

Some rock formations looked like a crocodile with an open mouth and a bear.

I have mentioned the FIRST BASIN a couple of times. It is right beside the swimming pool and has rumours of being bottomless. In fact it is 20.5 metres (67 ft) deep. Still pretty damn deep!

We were off to Mole Creek….