Cataract George

Address: 69 Basin Road, Launceston
Hours: Open 9am - dusk
Admission: Free

ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good for Kids, Walking/Hiking, Park / Garden

2:07 AM Friday, May 24
Clear. Quite cool.
7 day forecast

Launceston’s ruggedly beautiful Cataract Gorge is a popular highlight for visitors, combining dramatic natural landscapes and Victorian-era landscaping right on the edge of the city.

The reserve is surrounded by wild natural parklands, and near-vertical cliffs soar alongside the South Esk River as it enters the Tamar River.

Hikers and rock climbers head here to follow picturesque walking trails along the gorge’s northern bank, and the open-air swimming pool becomes a mini lido in summer, surrounded by beach umbrellas and sunbathers.

With picnic grounds, restaurant, kiosk, cafe, wandering peacocks, scenic lookouts, a lofty suspension bridge and walking trails, you can easily spend a day here. At night the gorge is beautifully floodlit, and a chairlift whisks visitors over the river to West Launceston.

Before Launceston’s hydro dam was completed in 1955, the waters here were channeled to create electricity, with the power station at Duck Reach upriver from the suspension bridge. Now decommissioned, the building serves as a museum. A visit reveals the story of Launceston’s early days and the Duck Reach power plant.

Latest Reviews

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All Cataract George Reviews

Review by Chris H, January 2011
Doing what: Launceston City Sightseeing Tour

Tour guide was very knowledgeable about the area and left the group with an appropriate amour of flexibility. Recommended if you want to truly appreciate this beautiful city.

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Review by DAVID L, Australia, May 2011
Doing what: Launceston City Sightseeing Tour

Except for the rain, it was a very informative tour. The bus driver even dropped us back at our hotel.

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Review by Anthony B, Australia, July 2010
Doing what: Launceston City Sightseeing Tour

I really enjoyed Tasmania and the Hobart City Tour, but would not recommend the Launceston city to anyone. The bus was half an hour late, we were the only ones on the bus and felt like pests. The tour didn't go for the time mentioned in the brochure, and we left the tour with no knowledge of Launceston.

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Practical Info

Cataract Gorge is a 10-minute stroll west of central Launceston.

Just walk along Bridge Road from the city center and you’ll come to the Cataract Walk trail winding along next to the South Esk River, leading to the chairlift station and restaurant.

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