Monday 5/02/2024 Trevallyn Track – Reedy Gully Fire Trail – Cataract Gorge – Duck Reach Power Station – South Esk River
Launceston, lutruwita / TASMANIA
Parrawa Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Geri Louis, John Louis
We had a spare day as we were camped for two nights at the scenic Myrtle Park Reserve outside of Launceston. We decided to return to Cataract Gorge which we had bypassed yesterday.
Max elevation: 158 m
Total climbing: 277 m
Total descent: -276 m
Average speed: 3.49 km/h
Total time: 03:28:55
The Gorge is a popular spot for locals, being very close to the city with walking/running trails and a large swimming pool. As usual, it was fairly crowded when we set out but numbers thinned quickly the further we walked.
We decided on a loop route so we headed up the Trevallyn walk then followed the Reedy Gully Fire Trail (this was a bit of a slog up the hill in the heat) and descended to the historic Duck Reach Power Station. The power station was built in 1895 and was the largest hydroelectric scheme in the world at the time. There was interesting historical information about the development and rebuilding of the power station following the floods. We crossed the rebuilt suspension bridge and after an initial climb, it was downhill back to our starting point. We returned along the gorge via the South Esk River and we had great views all the way and this was the more scenic side.
South Esk River from near Duck Reach Track Suspension Bridge
We concluded with some refreshments at the cafe having had an enjoyable walk with a history and engineering lesson to top it off.
Geri’s Dairy Entry for the Day
“Drove back to Launceston to Cataract Gorge.
Lucky we didn’t try this yesterday with the van.
Streets steep, intersections dodgy, car park at Gorge would be tricky to negotiate with little room for parking.
Anyway, we all went in, in the Everest, without van, and enjoyed our loop walk via the Trevallyn track to the Duck Reach Power Station and Suspension bridge back to First Basin Via the Duck Reach trail. We had a picnic lunch at the old power station which had information boards about the building of the tunnel, the power station, the suspension bridge and the floods.
We enjoyed ice creams on our return at the cafe before heading back to Myrtle.
Cataract Gorge is a busy place with swimming pools, swimming in the gorge also, inclinator.. chair lift, etc. lovely facility and geological feature. (maybe not when flooding) Wildlife- a few small lizards, superb fairy wrens, scrubwren European Goldfinch, Beautiful finch.”
Information on Parks Tasmania signage along the way
The Tunnel
At the time, the construction of the Duck Reach Tunnel was a controversial aspect of the Power Station. Today it is recognised as an engineering triumph.
Going against the original design of piping water around the hill, civil engineer John David believed that tunnelling directly through would not only be cheaper but would also provide more head to the water feeding into the turbines. While sceptics warned of time and cost blowouts, David was confident his tests proved the effectiveness of the tunnel and work began in October 1893.
The Engineering of the Tunnel
Water was diverted from Deadmans Hollow through a tunnel almost a kilometre in length – discharging above the station at a rate of over 5,500 litres per second.
The tunnel was designed and supervised by Launceston City Engineer
C. St. John David. Despite fears that the tunnel would prove too costly and challenging, work commenced in 1893, with drilling taking place simultaneously at Deadmans Hollow and at Duck Reach.
After sixteen months of near-continuous drilling through solid dolerite rock, the two shafts of the 850 metre tunnel met in the middle and proved David’s levels to be remarkably accurate, both ends being within one inch of the other.
A Prosperous City
Launceston in 1895 had a population of 20 000.
It was an important centre for industry with its wealth based on the mining boom which started in the 1870s. Its prosperity was reflected in the Victorian buildings created at that time.
Which scheme to use?
From the 1860s Launceston had been lit by gas lighting. In 1883 the city gained a taste for electricity after a Melbourne company held a public test, lighting a number of Launceston shop windows. By 1887 a group of leading citizens founded the Launceston Electric Light and Motive Power Company Ltd with the objective to provide the city with electricity for lighting using water from the South Esk. That same year, and no doubt spurred on by the group, the Launceston Municipal Council was given sole rights to the lower three miles of the South Esk waters and proceeded to determine the best means of providing electricity.
In 1889 a successful hydro-electric scheme was installed at the Waverley Woollen Mills influencing the Council towards the public hydro-electric power station.
In 1891 the Council Electrical Engineer, as a consultant to examine a variety of schemes for a power development and in 1892 surveyor and engineer C. St John David was appointed and a firm scheme was adopted similar to that at Duck Reach.
YES for Electricity
A poll of ratepayers was carried out in June 1892 to determine whether they were in favour of electricity and, despite opposition from the coal gas supporters, the result was an overwhelming yes for electricity.
An Ambitious Feat
The scheme was an ambitious feat eventually requiring a tunnel to be bored through the hillside to channel the water to the station, rather than pipe the water around the hill. It also required massive construction and removal of dolerite to provide the foundations of the Power Station. Ingenuity was required in getting the building materials and the equipment to the steep isolated site.
It also required an infrastructure of distributing stations, substations, staff housing and even the manufacture of transmission poles.
The Turning On
On 10 December 1895 William Corin, the City Electrical Engineer trialled the arc lighting of Launceston. For two hours between 8.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. the darkness was turned into light and in a week’s time the development was running continuously.
The rapid demand by the public for power led to the expansion and upgrading of equipment and the Power Station continued to run without alteration or addition from the early 1920s until the 1950s. The Hydro-Electric Commission purchased the power development and the Launceston Council’s distribution system in 1944. The Power Station was decommissioned in 1955 when the new Trevallyn Power Station was commissioned. This was after almost sixty years of continuous service, interrupted only by the 1929 flood damage.
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, indigenous history, white history and other walks in the area (Gemini)
Cataract Gorge: A Tasmanian Oasis of Waterfalls, Cliffs, and History
Nestled within the heart of Launceston, Tasmania, Cataract Gorge carves a dramatic path through the D’Entrecasteaux River, offering a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities. This urban oasis, accessible from the heart of the city, boasts cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, lush vegetation, and remnants of its rich past, making it a must-visit for nature lovers, history buffs, and adventure seekers alike.
Landscape Features:
First Cataract: The centrepiece of the gorge is the First Cataract, a powerful waterfall cascading 26 metres into a deep pool below. The spray from the falls creates a refreshing atmosphere, while the surrounding cliffs provide dramatic viewing platforms.
Second Cataract: Further downstream, the Second Cataract offers a more intimate experience, with water cascading over moss-covered rocks and ferns clinging to the cliff walls.
Cliff Formations: Towering dolerite cliffs, remnants of ancient lava flows, line the gorge walls, reaching up to 70 metres in height and creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Native Bushland: Pockets of native Tasmanian bushland, dominated by eucalypts, blackwoods, and tree ferns, line the upper section of the gorge, providing a tranquil escape from the city bustle.
Suspension Bridge: A historic suspension bridge, built in 1856, sways gently across the gorge, offering breathtaking views of the waterfalls and cliffs.
Geology:
The dramatic landscape of Cataract Gorge is a testament to its ancient geological history. Dolerite columns, formed from cooling lava flows approximately 180 million years ago, dominate the gorge walls. Subsequent erosion by the D’Entrecasteaux River carved the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and meandering path we see today.
Scenic Highlights:
Waterfall Viewing Platforms: Witness the power and beauty of the First and Second Cataracts from designated viewing platforms, feeling the spray on your face and capturing the mesmerising cascades on camera.
Clifftop Walks: Hike along scenic clifftop tracks, offering panoramic vistas of the gorge, the city of Launceston, and the Tamar Valley in the distance.
Suspension Bridge Crossing: Take a leisurely stroll across the historic suspension bridge, swaying gently above the gorge and enjoying the unique perspective it offers.
Picnics and Relaxation: Find a scenic spot amidst the natural beauty, have a picnic lunch surrounded by bushland, and soak in the tranquility of the gorge.
Nighttime Illuminations: During the festive season, witness the magical spectacle of the First Cataract illuminated in vibrant colours, creating a breathtaking scene.
Local Flora:
The diverse habitats within Cataract Gorge support a variety of plant life:
Native Bushland: The upper section of the gorge boasts pockets of native Tasmanian bushland, dominated by towering eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.), blackwoods (Acacia melanoxylon), and tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica).
Cliffside Vegetation: Ferns, mosses, and other moisture-loving plants cling to the damp cliff faces, adding to the lushness and biodiversity of the gorge.
Urban Parklands: Downstream from the waterfalls, landscaped gardens showcase colorful flowers, ornamental trees, and walking paths, providing a more cultivated green space.
Local Fauna:
Keep your eyes peeled for diverse wildlife while exploring Cataract Gorge:
Birds: Listen to the melodious calls of kookaburras, honeyeaters, and parrots flitting through the trees. Spot ducks and swans gliding gracefully on the river below.
Small Mammals: Look out for pademelons and brushtail possums foraging amongst the bushland, particularly at dusk and dawn.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Spot basking lizards on sunny rocks and listen for the croaking of frogs near water bodies.
Indigenous History:
The traditional lands of the Palawa people encompass the Cataract Gorge area. Evidence of their connection to the land can be found in middens and stone artefacts scattered throughout the region. The Palawa people revere natural features like waterfalls as places of spiritual significance.
White History:
European settlers arrived in the area in the early 1800s and established Launceston in 1804. The First Cataract was soon identified as a potential source of hydroelectric power, leading to the construction of the world’s first commercial hydroelectric power station in 1895. The gorge was later developed as a recreational area, with walking tracks, gardens, and the iconic suspension bridge.
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