The pipes that carried the water were constructed of wood staves, wrapped in heavy gauge steel coil, and then covered in creosote soaked canvas. Throughout the 1920s, local residents had agitated for an up   to date water supply and holiday makers had long complained  about poor facilities. Water had been a scarce commodity in Bridport particularly during summer. Tanks would often run dry and water was carted from above the tidal flow further...

By the early 1950s it gradually became clear that Bridport’s  water supply system needed upgrading as the town  continued to grow.   The pump was often broken down and many attempts  were made to repair it. Water supplies were inconsistent  and not able to deal with growing demand. A new motor  was installed in 1952 with only limited success. By the 1960’s a new pump house was installed near the  Elizabeth street entrance.  This is still...

The hardy and adaptable Cyathea australis or Spiky tree fern is found at Tree Fern Gully on the River-Forest section of the circuit.  It has roots and hair like follicles on its trunk giving it a rough texture and it is adaptable to a variety of climates and soils.  Ferns are also amongst the oldest plants in the world dating back to the Carboniferous period  360 million years ago and the Spiky Tree fern is wholly protected in...

The She-oak  ( Allocasuarina littoralis )  ‘closed’ forests are remarkably quiet.  It is the most drought resistant  tree in Tasmania.  The needle like foliage is a dull dark grey.  The fallen needles create a soft cushioning mat.

The Native Cherry (Exocarpus cupressiformis) tree is a semi-parasitic plant. It attaches to the roots of the dominant black peppermint eucalypt trees around it.  It is an attractive conical shaped tree with bright green dense foliage.

White gum ( Eucalyptus viminalis), are dominant on the river reserve near the Ada Street shelter. Alongside the river there are moisture-loving herbs, ferns, sedges, rushes and reeds. Paperbark swamplands occur where the Brid River flows into Anderson Bay. A riparian corridor with dense plantings of a range of small native trees and shrubs is important to the restoration of the Riparian reserve. Riparian revegetation practices helps stabilise...

The  Black Peppermint ( Eucalyptus amygdalina) is endemic to Tasmania and a dominant tree on the River-Forest track. It is known for its rough bark and  narrow peppermint scented leaves when crushed.      

Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa). The  Grey Fantail ( Rhipidura fuliginosa) is  around 17 cm in size.  It is one of the friendliest birds  in the bush and is named for its long fan like tail. It is  characterized for its erratic flight and how it dashes out  from its perch to chase insects.

Yellow-throated Honeyeater  (Lichenostomus  flavicollis). The Yellow-throated Honeyeater (Lichenostomus  flavicollis ) prefers a eucalypt forest habitat where it  feeds on seasonally available nectar and insects.   The species breeds from August to December, and  lays two to three spotted pinkish eggs in a cup-shaped nest which is built within a metre   of the ground.

Yellow Wattlebird  (Anthochaera paradoxa).  The  Yellow Wattlebird  (Anthochaera paradoxa) is Australia’s largest honeyeater (380-480 mm) and endemic to Tasmania, found in eucalypt forest  and woodlands typical of the River-Forest.  It feeds  on insects and nectar. Both sexes are similar in  appearance.

There are 12 endemic species of birds in  Tasmania and 3 have been identified in this  area; Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus),  The well known  Green Rosella ( Platycercus  caledonicus ) is Australia’s largest rosella    (330-370mm). Male and female birds have    the same bright green and yellow colouring.

The swampy low lying areas of the River-Forest  track provide the perfect habitat for the tiny and  vulnerable Burrowing Crayfish ( Engaeus genera).

The Brush-tail Possum  ( Trichosurus Vulpecula )    is nocturnal and is named for its very bushy tail.    It has very thick soft fur that ranges in colour from  silver-grey to yellowish tan to dark brown.

The nocturnal Swamp (velvet-furred)  Rat  ( Rattus Lutreolus) is a native small  mammal, half the size of the introduced  black and brown rats. It forms extensive  systems of runways beneath dense  vegetation.

Echidnas are shy creatures and move slowly and  carefully.  If disturbed they roll into a ball or vigorously dig  into the ground so that only the spines are exposed.  They  have short limbs and powerful claws.  They mainly eat ants  and termites, but other invertebrates especially grubs,  larvae and worms can be a part of their diet.