Alum Cliffs
{{Short description|Cliffs in Tasmania, Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox landform
| name = Alum Cliffs
| type = Cliffs
| other_name =
| image = Alum Cliffs at Taroona, Tasmania.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| map = Australia Tasmania
| map_width =
| map_caption =
| location = Tasmania, Australia
| water_bodies =Derwent Estuary
Storm Bay
| coordinates ={{coord|42|57|41.55|S|147|20|28.58|E|type:landmark_region:AU_scale:1000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| elevation =
| area =
| coordinates_ref =
}}
The Alum Cliffs are a section of cliffed coast facing the Derwent Estuary and Storm Bay along the suburbs of Taroona, Bonnet Hill, and Kingston Beach, Tasmania, Australia. Composed of Permian mudstone, the cliff formation stretches for {{convert|3.5|km}} between Hinsby Beach and Tyndall Beach at Kingston Beach. The cliff face reaches heights of up to {{convert|30|m}} above sea level and has vistas of the Derwent Estuary, Storm Bay, South Arm and Bruny Island.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cowirrie.com/stepscape/?walk=AlumCliffs(Taroona) |title=Alum Cliffs, Taroona |access-date=2022-08-20}}
History
The first reference of the Alum Cliffs namesake was documented in 1847.{{citation |first=Patricia |last=Roberts-Thompson |title=Taroona 1808-1986 Farm Lands to a Garden Suburb - The Walk Along the Alum Cliffs |url=https://taroona.tas.au/assets/document/1379591761-chapter1.pdf |page=325 |publisher=Taroona Historical Group |accessdate=20 August 2022}}
Geology
The Alum Cliffs are made of Permian mudstone, containing pyrite. Once oxidised, the pyrite produces the chemical compound alum.{{Cite web |url=https://taroona.tas.au/environment/discovery-walk/what-alum/ |title=Taroona Coastal Discovery Trail - What Is Alum? |access-date=2022-08-20}}
Recreation
The Alum Cliffs track is a popular {{convert|6|km}} (2.5 hour) return walking track frequented by locals and tourists.{{Cite web |url=https://www.trailhiking.com.au/hikes/alum-cliffs-track/ |title=Alum Cliffs Track (6.0km) |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=trailhiking.com.au}} A small track was initially developed in the 1970s and formally developed as part of Australia's Bicentennial celebrations in 1988.{{Cite web |url=https://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/tracks/alum-cliffs-track |title=Alum Cliffs Track, Kingborough |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Greater Hobart Trails}}
In 2018, a council proposal was put forward to upgrade the track to facilitate mountain biking.{{Cite web |url=https://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle/make-way-for-cyclists-on-alum-cliffs-track-between-kingston-and-taroona/news-story/b8228bf62fe605f549ef09041ade522e |title=Make way for cyclists on Alum Cliffs track between Kingston and Taroona |date=2018-04-15 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Mercury (Hobart) |last=Mather |first=Anne}}
Access
The Alum Cliffs track is accessible via Tyndall Beach at Kingston Beach and the Channel Highway.