Cataract Gorge

• Wilderness in the city.
• Challenge yourself by abseiling or climbing in the Gorge.
• Try the short walk through tree fern glades.
• One of Australia’s most enticing urban parks.
• A safe way to try hang gliding.

In 15 minutes you can walk from central Launceston along the banks of the Tamar River into the Gorge. From here you follow a pathway, originally built in the 1890s, along the cliff face, looking down onto the South Esk River. The Kings Bridge over The Gorge was floated into place in 1867.

The First Basin, on the southern side, has a cafe, swimming pool and an open area surrounded by bushland; it is Launceston’s beach.

In contrast, the shady northern side, named the Cliff Grounds, is a Victorian garden where wilderness is created with ferns and exotic plants.

There’s a kiosk, restaurant and swimming pool, rolling lawns and a rotunda, a footbridge and chairlift across the river, peacocks in the trees, wallabies at dusk. This may be the nation’s most alluring urban reserve.

Further upstream is the historic Duck Reach Power Station, now an Interpretation Centre. The Launceston City Council originally commissioned the Power Station in 1893, making it the largest hydro-electric scheme of its day. By 1895 it was lighting the city.

Related experiences

• Tamar River Cruises
• Cable Hang Gliding
• Launceston Basin Chairlift