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Rocky
Cape
National
Park
Situated
in the
North
West
corner
of Tasmania,
this
park
offers
small
sheltered
beaches
and
sweeping
views
over
Bass
Strait.
The
banksia
dotted
hillsides
boast
many
varieties
of orchid
and
spectacular
wildflowers
in the
spring.
Remnants
of Aboriginal
life
include
several
caves
containing
paintings
and
middens
up to
9 000
years
old.
Asbestos
Range
National
Park
Asbestos
Range
National
Park,
in the
centre
of the
North
Coast,
covers
the
coast
from
Port
Sorell
to the
mouth
of the
Tamar
River.
Beautiful
unspoilt
beaches,
long
stretches
of sand
dunes
and
coastal
heathland
make
up this
park
which
is an
important
habitat
for
many
of Tasmania's
largest
marsupials.
Cataract
Gorge
Reserve
William
Collins
when
he explored
the
Gorge
in 1804,
described
its
natural
beauty
as unsurpassed
in the
world.
The
First
Basin
on the
southern
side
features
a swimming
pool
and
an open
area
surrounded
by bushland
and
becomes
Launceston's
'beach'
in summer.
In contrast,
the
shady
northern
side
named
the
Cliff
Grounds
is a
Victorian
garden
with
ferns
and
exotic
plants.
Dividing
the
two
areas
is the
South
Esk
River
and
the
Gorge
can
be crossed
on the
Alexandra
Suspension
Bridge,
or swinging
bridge,
built
in 1895,
or on
a well
formed
path
established
where
an original
ford
crossed
the
South
Esk.
Alternatively
the
crossing
can
be made
on the
chairlift
which
contains
in its
length,
the
longest
single
span
in the
world.
The
Cataract
Gorge
Reserve
abounds
with
walking
trails
and
lookouts
which
fully
explore
the
beauty
of the
area.
The
most
spectacular
way
to enter
the
reserve
is on
the
Kings
Bridge-Cataract
Walk,
a path
which
clings
to the
Cliff
face
of the
Gorge.
It was
built
in the
1890's
for
the
benefit
of Launceston's
citizens
and
visitors
and
was
the
city's
most
popular
promenade
in Victorian
times.
The
path
offers
excellent
views
of the
dolerite
columns
along
the
cliffs
and
during
winter
the
drama
of the
furious
floods
is an
exciting
spectacle.
The
Duck
Reach
Trail
leads
through
an almost
untouched
landscape
past
the
Second
Basin
and
close
to the
remains
of the
Duck
River
Power
Station
which
was
Australia's
first
municipal
hydro-electric
power
station.
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