We recently crossed another item off the bucket list with a wonderful lunch at The Gorge Restaurant in Launceston. Located in the Cliff Grounds at Cataract Gorge, the building was constructed in 1896 as a tearooms, replacing the white refreshments tent that previously served picnickers.

In the early 1970s, the Gorge Restaurant opened, being the first licensed alfresco dining area in Australia.

The Victorian style gardens were showing signs of spring.

We opted to dine inside, the relaxing ambience was most welcoming.

Our window seat afforded lovely views over the garden and tree tops.

We settled in with a refreshing Clover Hill sparkling rosé from the Tamar Valley

while nature provided the entertainment.

The extensive wine list was narrowed down to a Frogmore Creek 2016 Riesling, sustainably grown in the Coal River Valley. It proved to be the perfect choice.

The friendly waiter was very patient while we decided on our meals, there was so much to choose from. We were very happy with the Crispy Spiced Quail, red cabbage & gin slaw, cauliflower puree and maple bacon,

Braised Beef Cheek, Paris mash, thyme roasted baby carrots & lager jus

and Tasmanian Bush Pepper Calamari, chilli & lime rice vermicelli, coriander & rocket.

We savoured the wine while the chairlift glided past the window, sometimes with a passenger, sometimes uninhabited, before ordering dessert.

My Deconstructed Pumpkin Pie, candied pecans, ginger crumb & spiced cream had to be seen to be believed.

We shared tastings of the Warm Chocolate & Hazelnut Brownie, white chocolate parfait & raspberry coulis

and the Coconut Lime Tart with rhubarb & blue curacao sauce.

We walked off some of our decadence returning to the car park, pausing on the suspension bridge to take in the stunning landscape.

It was difficult to focus on this magnificent cormorant enjoying the sunshine, the bridge was swaying not me.