Cataract Gorge

The Cataract Gorge in Launceston, Tasmania (Australia) is a delightful place to visit and spend the day. You'll find lots to do including riding on the world's longest single span chairlift, taking a Cataract Gorge cruise, dining at the Gorge Restaurant or the Basin Cafe, walking along the South Esk River or through the bush land where Tasmanian tigers used to prowl, swimming in the pool or, for the more adventurous, rock climbing the dolerite cliffs or canoeing the river.

The Cataract Gorge Reserve is just a short 15 minute's walk from the city centre of Launceston. So if ever you visit Launceston, make sure you visit this delightful reserve.

The first recorded visit to the Cataract Gorge was in 1804 by the settler, William Collins who decribed its beauty as "probably not surpassed in the world."

For more than 100 years, people in Launceston have been enjoying the Cataract Gorge Reserve. In the late 1890s, The Launceston City and Suburbs Improvement Association was formed and constructed a pathway along the northern side of the South Esk River from the Cliff Grounds, a beautiful Victorian garden, to the Kings Bridge.

In 1940, the Alexandra Suspension Bridge was built to connect both sides of the river area.

You can see historic pictures of the Cataract Gorge, Tasmania here.