Cataract Gorge

Our Cataract Gorge - Launceston

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• published: 01 Feb 2016
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Cataract Gorge Reserve, or "The Gorge" as we call it, is a unique natural formation within a two-minute drive of central Launceston - a rare and natural phenomenon in any city. In 15 minutes we can walk from the city center along the banks of the Tamar River into "The Gorge". From here one follows a pathway along the cliff face, originally built in the 1890s, 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, features a swimming pool (though it was flooded with the high water level today) and an open area surrounded by bushland. In contrast, the shady northern side, named the Cliff Grounds, is a Victorian garden where wilderness is created with ferns and exotic plants - nature is enhanced by art. There's a Restaurant and kiosk, rolling lawns and a rotunda, a pub with a view, a footbridge and chairlift across the river, peacocks in the trees, wallabies at dusk. This may be the nation's most alluring urban reserve........ (っ◕‿◕)っ The magnificent chairlift was built in 1972 spanning the huge natural basin often filled by the surging waters of the South Esk River. The chairlift covers some 457 meters. The central span of 308 meters is believed to be the longest single chairlift span in the world.