Alum Cliffs Gorge lookout
An enchanting short walk (about 40 minutes return) takes you to a forest lookout perched high above the Mersey River (shown at the very top right in this picture, viewed from below), as it flows along the valley through the Alum Cliffs Gorge.
From the carpark, steps climb to a forest clearing where you will find one of the installations which form the Great Western Tiers Sculpture Trail - Soulevement-Triangulaire, point de vue - by David Jones. This enormous structure acknowledges the triangulation of three major physical references - Quamby Bluff, Alum Cliffs Gorge and Western Bluff, as seen from the site of the sculpture.
The all-weather path continues on through forest, along a high, tapering ridge, until you reach the breath-taking lookout platform.
Tulampanga, a sacred celebration place
Tulampanga, or Alum Cliffs, was a place of particular social and spiritual significance to Aborigines because of the ochre to be found in that area of the Gog Range. Many tribes travelled to Tulampanga to obtain this highly prized material and for them this was a sacred celebration place.
The connection of Aboriginal people with the Mole Creek area is thought to date back more than 10,000 years, and the Pallittorre band of the North tribe was based around Mole Creek/Meander. To these early inhabitants, the Great Western Tiers were known as Kooparoona Niara, or Mountains of the Spirits, culturally significant as the meeting place of three Aboriginal nations.
Listen to this podcast about Alum Cliffs
Alum Cliffs is one of the attractions along the Great Caves Cycling Trail and you can listen to this podcast about Alum Cliffs to learn a little about its cultural significance. The Great Western Tiers Cycle Trails, including these podcasts, are an initiative of Meander Valley Council and the Great Western Tiers Tourism Association, supported by Tourism Tasmania.
How to get there
Turn off Mole Creek Road (B12) just east of Mole Creek township - the turn-off is well signed - and follow the signs to the carpark. Just a few minutes drive' from Mole Creek.