Cataract Gorge Reserve

We had an amazing experience at Cataract Gorge..the facility catered to the needs of our entire family...the chair car experience was amazing on a beautiful sunny day. Children were kept entertained with a variety of play equipment and gorgeous swimming pool. The cafe was also amazing with lovely views...must cover if you are in Launceston!

A lovely recreation and picnic ground steeped in history. Great cafe, playgrounds, swimming pool, and amenities with well maintained gardens and walking trails to explore the beautiful natural surroundings. Of course there is also the famous old chairlift across the gorge. Well worth the small parking fee and short drive from Launceston CBD.

Beautiful location and views. Can spend a whole day if the weather is kind! Quite a few walks if you are keen… chair lift gives a great areal view of the gorge and the river. Kids were excited to see so many peacocks in one place! there is a large picnic area with a pool and a kids playground. Very close to Launceston city centre.

Beautiful oasis in the middle of Launceston. A lovely place to stroll around, get a bite to eat or coffee. Cable car for those who want to take in the sights higher up. Lovely environment, so peaceful.

This is a terrific place to visit. The entry is free. Lots of walking or hiking paths. Tame peacocks, wallabies wander about. Cafe at the entrance makes good coffee and there is also a cafe near the rotunda. Chairlift has a fee, but if you have a Seniors Card or Concession Card it is cheaper. Beautiful gorge.

One of Tasmania's 60 great short walks, takes you past the Suspension Bridge up to Duck Reach. A swimming pool, chair lift, playground and cafe's all add to the splendid scenery.

Spectacular views and awesome place to visit on a hot summers day. Must do chairlift. Have a look down on the souvenir shop roof and you might find a drink bottle or 2 on the roof 😂. Great walks around the gorge with plenty of of wildlife

This morning, my parents and I visited the Cataract Gorge Reserve in West Launceston, Tasmania. It's hard to begin how to describe this place. Massive, breathtaking, scenic, incredible, magnificent. It reminds me of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado or Yellowstone National Park.

We started on the First Basin Walk, a short easy walk around the large water basin and over the Alexander Suspension Bridge. From here, it splits off into several walks and hiking trails as well as the continuation of the First Basin Walk with a lovely crossing over the water.

I decided to tackle the Trevelyan Walk by myself. It's a steep, rocky trail with lots of trees and overgrown vegetation. I spotted a wallaby and baby joey as well as several fellow hikers and runners which put my mind at ease. Plenty of scenic views along here of the reserve.

I walked back along the Daffodil Walk which is a beautiful short rainforest track and connects back to the First Basin Walk.

As well as the walking tracks, there's also a chairlift, outdoor swimming pool, cafe, restaurant, BBQ picnic area, lots of blue peacocks and more. It was certainly worth visiting on our Tasmania trip.

Beautiful place!! 🤩 there's also a swimming pool and some wildlife (peacocks, wallabies and some interesting looking birds)
The chairlift is a must, so many great photo opportunities and I'd say paying for the one way is good enough rather than the return because the walk back down isn't as long as you'd think it is. It'd take you only 15 - 20mins unless of course you need the return trip then go for it. Definitely check out the suspension bridge
Best to go as early as you can as it can get crowded, especially the line for the chairlift. We came just as the place was opening so there was no line but when were leaving, there was a huge line

Wow, what a day at Cataract Gorge Reserve! We enjoyed the chair lift, which is short and not that high. You can explore the other side with a short hike to the suspension bridge. The pool was good and relaxing. There are plenty of natural animals on site, which you can't miss. In the end, the meal was tasty and reasonably priced. When visiting Launcestan, this location is a must-see.

What a fantastic place!
Kids would love it!
Visited on the 21st Jan. We jumped on the chairlift and went across the gorge. Absolutely beautiful! $20 per person return.
Got off the other side, nice little restaurant, with a young man singing and playing his guitar out in the beer garden. So relaxing!
The pool looked really inviting, but FAR to cold for this ol girl!
Lots of people and kids swimming. There were also canoes paddling in the gorge.
Lots of walking tracks.
Very busy!!

Stunning space! Plenty to see and do. Is a fair bit of walking involved (we did near 16000 steps climbing to the Eagle Nest lookout and around the gorge, but it is worth it!). Lovely little cafe and restaurant inside and the chair lift is a must do! Lots of wildlife to look at and enjoy also. And randomly, there is a pool, so bring your bathers if you're keen (still a bit cold!).

Best place to take a hike, swim and picnic.. what I like most is that they have disability access to almost all places..

The chairlifts were fun but not safe for kids. Cafes are also available nearby

Absolutely beautiful place to walk around! It was part of our tour route and loved it. Plenty of room for everyone to walk around freely. There’s loads of toilet which was great too

We went to the gorge pretty certain that due to my slight disability we wouldn’t have got to see much. The chairlift was likely our best option, but I was concerned about my legs coping with jumping off at the end. I needn’t have worried. They stopped the lift for me to get on safely, and the same at the end to disembark. It wasn’t just me either. What a great service - and a way for all abilities to enjoy such a beautiful place.
Lots of more strenuous walks to satisfy all fitness levels.
Also a few wildlife encounters which was a bit cool too!

Good place for exercise and spending time. A lot of Wallaby, Kangaroo, and Peacock! A swimming pool and nice view beside walking track.. Close to Launceston.

During my visit to Tasmania from Canada, I had the opportunity to explore the magnificent Cataract Gorge. This place left me awe-inspired with its captivating natural beauty and abundance of attractions.

One of the highlights of my visit was the chairlift ride, which offered breathtaking views of the gorge and surrounding landscapes. Gliding high above the trees, I had the chance to witness the impressive rock formations and flowing water below. It was a surreal experience, making me feel closer to nature.

The suspension bridge across the gorge was another incredible sight. As I crossed it, I felt a rush of adrenaline, surrounded by the soaring mountains and the rushing waters of the South Esk River below. The bridge provided a unique perspective of the gorge, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.

What impressed me the most about Cataract Gorge was the affordability. Despite its beauty and the various amenities available, the admission prices were reasonable, making it accessible to all visitors. This aspect, combined with the stunning natural scenery, makes it a must-see place for tourists in Tasmania.

I couldn't resist capturing the moments I spent at Cataract Gorge with my family. The picturesque surroundings provided endless photo opportunities, and these memories will be cherished forever. The charm of the place made our trip even more memorable, and it was a joy to share those experiences with my loved ones.

Overall, Cataract Gorge is an extraordinary destination that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, thrilling attractions, and affordability. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful and stunning place to unwind, this Tasmanian gem should definitely be on your itinerary. I highly recommend visiting Cataract Gorge to anyone exploring this captivating region.

Recommend stopping by and doing the various tracks on offer at Cataract Gorge.

We did the chair lift and it was pretty well priced for two way trip.

So lovely the day we visited. There is a free fresh water pool for the public to enjoy and there is also access to the fresh water basin to take a dip. A lot of locals and tourists taking advance of both on offer.

Not much shade to sit and watch family in the water, however, nothing like bringing your own umbrella or those pop up tents to give yourself some shade.

Bbq facilities at higher ground and also lower closer to the pool area.

Peacocks and wallabies comfortably wandering around. Don’t fed as it will upset their tummies, but so many that you easily watch them and take photos.

Tearoom cafe at the top of cataracts to enjoy a hot or cold beverage and or a slice of cake. We had carrot cake and I had a hot chai (no almond milk) and my partner had a flat white.

Lots of different tracks to take and enjoy, rage from easy, medium to difficult. Definitely bring a bottle of water, some snacks and a jumper. Amongst the trees, it can get a little cooler and it is definitely recommended to bring an extra jumper.

Great walking tracks, with plenty of wildlife around. Chairlift was reasonably priced and enjoyable to see the gorge. Free swimming pool at First Basin. Good food at Cafe. Plenty of water refill stations for bottles.

Great place to spend an hour or a few. The walk up to the Duck Power station takes an hour or two but if you are up for it we'll worth it. For those looking for an easier walk First Basin is particularly scenic.