Sunday 4/02/2024 Andersons Creek – Holwell Gorge – Holwell Falls – Holwell Gorge Falls
Holwell Gorge State Reserve, lutruwita / TASMANIA
Tyerrernotepanner Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We decided to opt for Holwell Gorge walk after leaving Port Sorell on our way to Myrtle Park east of Launceston. It seemed the likely to be the least touristy of our options which it certainly proved to be. The gorge can be accessed from either end. We parked on the northern side and walked south.
Max elevation: 294 m
Total climbing: 382 m
Total descent: -372 m
Average speed: 5.51 km/h
Total time: 03:22:37
When we arrived at the small car park we were the only ones there! The walk started with a gradual descent on a reasonable-quality trail. This ended up being the easiest section, we were being lulled into a false sense of security for what was to come. We crossed two bridges and were soon into the gorge. The gorge was quite pleasant, the most outstanding feature being the huge tree ferns (about 4 metres) towering above us.
Without much recent rain the water level in Andersens Creek was low. There were several warning signs about the severe hazards ahead, and the track would have been treacherous if the rocks were wet and slippery which today they were not. We soon reached the first waterfall, it was quite underwhelming.
From this point, the track condition deteriorated with many fallen trees to climb over or under, a landslip with a track deviation in place (follow the pink ribbons). Some large fallen trees had steps cut into them. All of this made for slow progress.
Sue negotiating the track
We reached the lower (second) falls which was even more of a trickle than the first. At this point, I decided it was not worth the clamber to the upper falls so we headed back. On the way we took a few wrong turns up tracks started by people who had also managed to go the wrong way. At one point, there seemed to be tracks everywhere.
Eventually, we started the final climb back to the car when we met the first person we had seen all day. He was an elderly man from Launceston who was a regular visitor to the track. He was only walking to the first bridge but he loved the area.
Whilst we were stopped back in the car park for a snack a cheeky lizard came up to feed on our nectarine seeds. It wasn’t bothered by us at all.
Overall it wasn’t a bad walk, but it would be improved with some track maintenance which would reduce the overall effort required. It would be very scenic after rain but with that would come an increased slip hazard.
Geri’s Dairy Entry for the Day
“Warmer today. Less wind.
Quiet start to the day. Leisurely breakfast before packing up. Stopped at Woolies on way out of to top up supplies.
Sue and Steve headed off to Holwell Gorge Falls. We deemed it too risky for caravan parking and turnaround, so we opted out of this expedition.Lucky for us that we did as no spot for van! Also, Sue and Steve reported a hot, hard, clambering walk with only a trickle in the second falls and not much in the bottom falls. Track was reported to be difficult to negotiate with fallen trees, avalanches, etc.
John and I decided to stop at Tamar Island wetland and enjoyed the 4km walk across the boardwalks to the Island, through a tall reeds and grasses and across bridges across branches of the Tamar River. Plenty of water birds were viewed; swans, great egret, white faced heron, grey teals, chestnut teals, pacific black ducks, shovellers, superb fairy wrens, seagulls, geese, pelicans, Eurasian coats, purple swamp hens, sandpiper (?),
We had lunch in the van at the wetlands and by then it was 2pm, so we decided we were too tired to go to the Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Also it was too hot to walk again and probably too busy, being school holidays. So we continued on to Myrtle Park camping and Recreation grounds east of Launceston. Big, open camping and with huge trees and the St Patricks River. We arrived around 3pm and chilled for the rest of the afternoon. I walked along river and was watching out for birds. Quite a few seen if Grey fantail, Hame robin, flame robin (?), honeyeater (?), welcome swallows, sparrows, superb fairy wrens, grey shrike thrush (?), starling, heard a kingfisher… , kookaburra.”
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, indigenous history, white history and other walks in the area (Gemini)
Holwell Gorge State Reserve: A Tasmanian Haven of Dramatic Waterfalls, Lush Rainforests, and Rich History
Nestled amidst Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Holwell Gorge State Reserve carves a majestic path through towering dolerite cliffs, showcasing a captivating blend of dramatic waterfalls, lush rainforests, and remnants of its rich indigenous and white history. This haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts offers breathtaking scenery, diverse ecosystems, and opportunities for exploration along its many walking tracks.
Landscape Features:
Dolerite Columns: The reserve’s defining characteristic is its awe-inspiring dolerite columns, formed millions of years ago from cooling lava flows. These towering columns, reaching up to 100 metres in height, line the gorge walls, creating a dramatic and visually stunning spectacle.
Waterfalls: Cascading waterfalls, including the powerful 40-metre zzz высокогорный водопад and the picturesque Tunnel Creek Falls, tumble down the gorge walls, adding to the dynamic beauty of the landscape.
Rainforests: Lush rainforests cloak the slopes surrounding the gorge, creating a cool, green haven with towering zzz деревьев, ferns, and mosses clinging to the rock faces.
Lookouts: Several lookout points, including King George VI Lookout and The Platform, offer panoramic vistas of the gorge, zzz реки, and the surrounding mountains.
Basalt Formations: Weathered basalt columns and formations, shaped by millennia of erosion, add to the diverse geological tapestry of the reserve.
Geology:
The landscape of Holwell Gorge is a testament to its ancient geological history. Dolerite columns, remnants of lava flows approximately 180 million years ago, dominate the gorge walls. Subsequent erosion by glaciers and the Plenty River carved the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and the meandering path we see today.
Scenic Highlights:
Panoramic Views: Witness the breathtaking scale of the gorge from lookout points like King George VI Lookout and The Platform, capturing the Plenty River snaking through the dolerite columns and the lush rainforests blanketing the slopes.
Tunnel Creek Falls: Be mesmerised by the delicate beauty of Tunnel Creek Falls, where water cascades through a natural archway formed in the dolerite columns.
Rainforest Walks: Immerse yourself in the cool, green embrace of the rainforests, listening to the calls of birds and admiring the diverse plant life.
Sunrise or Sunset over the Gorge: Witness the magical play of light and shadow as the sun paints the dolerite columns and waterfalls in warm hues.
Local Flora:
The diverse habitats within Holwell Gorge support a rich variety of plant life:
Rainforests: The rainforests boast towering деревьев like myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii), celery pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius), and leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida), while the understory teems with ferns, mosses, and colourful wildflowers.
Gorge Slopes: On the drier slopes, pockets of sclerophyll forest with eucalyptus species like white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and black gum (Eucalyptus globulus) thrive.
Rockpools: In sheltered areas, rockpools harbour unique aquatic plants adapted to the cool, moist environment.
Local Fauna:
Keep your eyes peeled for native Tasmanian animals while exploring Holwell Gorge:
Mammals: Agile wallabies and pademelons might be spotted amongst the trees, while quolls and Tasmanian devils may be active at night.
Birds: Listen for the calls of colourful parrots like the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) and the green rosella (Platycercus callodes), as well as honeyeaters and kookaburras flitting through the canopy.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Look out for basking lizards on sunny rocks and listen for the calls of frogs near water bodies.
Indigenous History:
The traditional lands of the Palawa people encompass the Holwell Gorge area. Evidence of their long connection to the land can be found in middens and stone artefacts scattered throughout the region. The Palawa people revere natural features like waterfalls and caves as places of spiritual significance.
White History:
European explorers first arrived in the area in the early 1800s.
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