Launceston's Cataract Gorge

Friday 23 January 2015

Last night we decided against the Tramway Museum and the National Automobile Museum as none of us were particularly interested and really felt like a lazy day.

View in one direction from Kings Bridge

We started the day with a sleep in and a slow and easy breakfast, shower etcetera.  We packed a picnic lunch and headed for Launceston’s Cataract Gorge Reserve.  Starting from the main car park we took the Zig Zag Track to Kings Bridge.  Looking each direction from the bridge really highlights how close to the city this relatively natural area is – in one direction you are looking up the gorge and in the other you are looking at the city.  From Kings Bridge we took the Cataract Walk and part of the First Basin Loop to Alexandra Lookout and then across the Alexandra Suspension Bridge back to the First Basin. We took a swim in what may be Tasmania’s only outdoor pool. (I hope it is as Launceston is warmer than anywhere else in Tasmania and the water was still freezing!!) It took me quite a while to get in, but like the ocean, once I was in, it was fine.  After our swim we rode up to the carpark on the Inclinator – this is a lift like enclosure that goes up and down a slope using a pulley on a toothed track. This was rather bumpy as each tooth “caught”.  We had a picnic lunch and Hayden had a play in the playground.

https://www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au/

View in opposite direction from Kings Bridge

Petrol on the way home; and back to the unit to pack.

Hayden had another swim, he played and swam with another family (who also had an only child) so long that his eyes hurt and were still watering when he went to bed.