Cataract Gorge Name Origin

There are six distinct precincts within the gorge ghd.

Cataract gorge name origin. In latin cataracta had the alternative meaning portcullis 55 and the name possibly passed through french to form the english meaning eye disease early 15th century on the notion of obstruction 56. Cataract gorge reserve known locally as the gorge is a unique natural formation within a two minute drive of central launceston a rare natural phenomenon in any city. The united kingdom is the origin of 25 of all international visitors to the city and 17 originate from the united states. Cataract gorge first basin history the earliest recorded visit to this area was made by settler william collins in 1804 when exploring the port in the ship lady nelson.

It is home to the longest single span chairlift in the world stretching 308 metres 1 010 ft across the gorge. He was particularly impressed by the south esk and its cataract and wrote upon approaching the entrance i observed a large fall of water over rocks nearly a quarter of a mile up a straight gully between perpendicular rocks about 150 ft high. Tripadvisor has been notified. In an easy 15 minutes you can walk from central launceston along the banks of the tamar river into the gorge.

The cataract gorge is launceston s largest tourist attraction and is in close proximity to the city centre. The cataract gorge is a 5 minute walk from the cbd it is such a pure natural phenomenon it has beautiful nature walks a challenging suspension bridge a gorgeous restaurant with beautiful peacocks roaming around th. Historian marion sargent said the launceston city and suburbs improvement association was formed in 1890 by a group of local men. A waterfall especially one of considerable size.

A pathway known as the king s bridge cataract walk and originally built by volunteers in the 1890s runs along the north bank of the cataract gorge and is a popular tourist destination. Before the 1890s the gorge which is in the heart of the city in northern tasmania was difficult for locals let alone tourists to access. The overall cataract gorge precinct is an example of a victorian pleasure ground with related features including walkways shelters lookouts and recreational facilities set amongst natural bushland and dramatic riverine scenery see comparative analysis section. Launceston cataract gorge first basin launceston s own piece of wilderness just 15 minutes walk from the city centre.

The original toll house at which pedestrians had to pay to enter the walk can still be seen near king s bridge on the northern edge of the gorge.