Below the bridge, the South Esk River flows swiftly through the gorge, carving its way between steep cliffs and boulders.

 You can hear the steady rush as it tumbles over the rocks. It’s easy to see how over thousands of years this powerful current shaped the dramatic landscape of Cataract Gorge. 

To the left of the gorge is the Kings Bridge, marking the entrance to Cataract Gorge and is one of Launceston’s historic landmarks. The bridge was originally constructed in 1867 and later joined by a second span in 1904. Kings Bridge has long served as the main gateway into the gorge, carrying both pedestrians and vehicles, and it’s beautifully framed by the steep cliffs and lush vegetation surrounding it. From the Alexandra Suspension Bridge, you get a great view of it nestled against the rocky hillside.

As we make our way back past the First Basin, the scenery is stunning in the soft fall light. The water glows a deep green, perfectly still in some spots and rippling gently in others.

Along the shore, shrubs with golden and red leaves add a warm touch of color, while a few bare trees standing quietly among them, their branches reflecting on the water’s surface. The mix of autumn tones, rocky cliffs, and calm water creates a peaceful, and looks almost like a painting.

We are now taking a stroll in the park.

A few wallabies appear among the trees and grassy areas, calmly grazing or hopping across the open space. They seem completely at ease around visitors, adding a charming, distinctly Tasmanian touch to the peaceful surroundings. Watching them move quietly through the autumn landscape, with the rustling leaves makes the walk feel even more special and close to nature.

Our group is so enamored at the view of the wallabies around us.

 A little further down the path, near a cluster of trees and bushes, we spotted what looked like a grey kangaroo. It stood quietly on the grass.

For a moment, it lifted its head to watch us before returning to grazing on the grass. Seeing a kangaroo up close in such a peaceful natural setting added a wonderful surprise to our walk through the gorge, and a reminder of how rich the wildlife is here.

Tom showing us a giant sequoia tree that was planted in the late 1800s to early 1900s. These trees are not native to Tasmania,  they were brought from California during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, when exotic tree planting was very popular in botanical gardens and parks across Australia.  This tree is about roughly 120 to 130 years old today.

While that’s quite old by local standards, it’s still relatively young for a giant sequoia in their native Sierra Nevada forests. These trees can live for over 3,000 years and grow to enormous heights. The one here stands as a beautiful example of how early settlers and botanists tried to blend Tasmania’s natural landscape with impressive species from around the world.

We are now going around the First Basin

The Alexandra suspension bridge view from the First Basin.

Walking on the Cataract Walk which is a pathway area that runs along the northern side of the gorge, connecting Kings Bridge to the Cliff Grounds, where the Gorge Restaurant and other amenities are located. It's famous for its stunning views along the cliff face.

The large vertical rock formations you are seeing on the shore are composed of dolerite rock.  These impressive, "stupendous columns" were formed through massive geological processes over millions of years. The dolerite rock was created by ancient magma intrusions, which were later fractured and sculpted by the South Esk River cutting through the land.

Panoramic view.

The water running down from the gorge is quite strong.

This area is really nice with really great views of the surrounding.

The chairlifts primary purpose is to give visitors a spectacular aerial view of the gorge, the First Basin, the South Esk River, and the surrounding dolerite cliffs. It's a slow, leisurely ride designed for photography and appreciation of the scenery.

The Gorge Scenic Chairlift is famous for having the longest single chairlift span in the world, stretching over 1,000 feet between its two main towers.

Spotting a Platypus

Sure enough, we were barely standing there and right there we spotted a platypus next to the shore.

The platypus is naturally shy and elusive, which makes them notoriously hard to find anywhere. They are sometimes more active during the day in colder months because they need to forage more for food.

We were so lucky to see a very active platypus in the middle of nowhere.

A platypus is a small, unique mammal that looks like a mix of several animals in one. It has a smooth, flat bill shaped like a duck’s beak, webbed feet for swimming, and a broad, flat tail like a beaver’s. Its body is covered in dense, waterproof brown fur that keeps it warm in cold water. The males have a small venomous spur on their hind legs, though it’s not dangerous to humans. When swimming, the platypus glides gracefully, using its front webbed feet to paddle while its tail helps steer, an odd but fascinating creature perfectly adapted to life in water and on land.

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