Notley Fern Gorge

Notley Fern Gorge is a remnant patch of rainforest above the Tamar Valley, northern Tasmania. The wet sclerophyll forest area has a walking track and picnic area beneath towering trees. The forest is dominated by eucalypts towering above the rainforest understorey. The state reserve is well known for a burnt out tree known as 'Bradey's Tree.' It is named after the 1820s bushranger whose gang is believed to have hidden in this forest. There is a 1.5 kilometre (1 mile) track weaving past glades of mosses and ferns which takes about 45-minutes to walk. The walk requires moderate fitness and crosses the creek several times with a steady climb uphill on the return. Enjoy reading about the types of fauna and flora on information stands throughout the reserve and observe the native birdlife including pink robins and golden whistlers. Other largely nocturnal wildlife include Bennetts wallabies, Tasmanian devils and ringtail possums. Marvel at large tree ferns, hard water ferns down by the creek's edge and filmy ferns, found growing on the trunks of trees. After your forest walk, enjoy the picnic and barbecue area. Notley Fern Gorge is half an hours' drive (24 kilometres/15 miles) north-west of Launceston.