The highlight of the day was the magnificent Cataract Gorge park on the outskirts of Launceston. The park is located on both sides of the South Esk River which over the millennia has cut a deep gorge through the mountain. There are winding paths high above the river on both sides with views of the river and the water falls below. In the center there is a recreation area with a lake, a huge swimming pool, a suspension bridge that crosses the gorge and a chair lift that crosses the recreation area. We had a lovely walk along the Victorian era paths, noting plants that feature in aboriginal food and huge trees as well as wombats, pandemelons and many large peacocks.
We took the chairlift from one side of the park to the other, strolled along the gorge walkways back towards Launceston, enjoying lovely views of rocks and rapids.
Leaving the magnificent rocky gorge, we headed for the flat Tamar River wetlands preserve to try and spot some birds. The boardwalk wound its way through a variety of trees, wide areas with wetlands grasses, and tidal ponds. We were able to get a better look at some birds we had seen before, and also spotted a few new ones.
Before leaving us to our own devices, Rod took us to the Queen Victoria museum, which, among many other things, had stuffed versions of all the local wildlife - it was cool to see all the animals and birds to scale, so we could appreciate size differences. We also saw dinosaur skeletons and an exhibition on the Thyacine, the extinct Tasmanian tiger.
After a stop in the gift shop, we headed back to the hotel, stopping in the City Park again to see the Japanese Macaques (there were about 10 of them in an enclosure in the park.). Then we went seeking Thai or Vietnamese food, but settled on Chinese for lunch.
After a relaxing afternoon, we met the group for a farewell-to-Tasmania dinner, where we enjoyed not only the food but also interesting and fun conversation with Rod and another couple in the group.
Tasmania has been interesting. That peacock is gorgeous!
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