Duck Reach and Kings Bridge Trail Hiking Australia

Length: 6.7km
Duration: 1.5hrs
Grade: 3
Style: Return
Start: Basin Carpark
End: Basin Carpark

Location: Cataract Gorge Reserve
Closest Town: West Launceston
Distance from CBD: 199km
State: TAS
Latitude: -41.446185
Longitude: 147.122614

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2WD Access

Public Transport

Speed Bumps

Large Car Park

Accessible Toilet

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

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2WD Access

4WD Access

Public Transport

Bitumen Road

Gravel Road

Steep Road

Winding Road

Speed Bumps

Vehicle Ford

Entry Fee

Large Car Park

Small Car Park

Accessible Parking

Accessible Toilet

Public Toilets

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

BBQ Facilities

Campfire Pit

Camping Area

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Gravel Path

Goldfields & Mining

Waterfalls & Lakes

Historic Lighthouse

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Cataract Gorge Reserve...

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Concrete Path

Timber Boardwalk

Gravel Path

Sandy Trail

Rough Trail

Undefined Trail

Prams & Strollers

Manual Wheelchair

Motorised Wheelchair

Bicycle Trail

Mountain Bike Trail

Historic Rail Trail

Dog Friendly

Urban Walk

Coast & Beach

Historic Lighthouse

Waterfalls & Lakes

Rainforest Walk

Goldfields & Mining

Heritage Walk

Aboriginal Art

Alpine Region

Alpine Huts

Exposed Ledges

Rock Scrambling

Steep Terrain

Bush Bashing

River Crossings

Scenic Viewpoints

Well Marked

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Fishing Spots

Swimming Spots

Overnight Campsites

Trail Running

Horse Riding

Duck Reach and Kings Bridge is a 6.7km, grade 3 return hike, located in Cataract Gorge Reserve, Tasmania. The hike should take approximately 1.5hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

Follow the South Esk River from Launceston’s famous Cataract Gorge to the historic Duck Reach power station. This walk will generally suit groups with children.

Highlights

Work on the Duck Reach Power Station began in 1855 but it wasn't until 1895 that the turbines began to power the new electric streetlights.

The station was destroyed by floods in 1929 and rebuilt the following year. It continued to operate until 1956. Today an interpretation centre provides a history of the station.

About the region

Launceston Tamar and the North

Getting there

Park in Basin Road, West Launceston. Then follow the path into the Cataract Gorge grounds where you’ll find the Great Short Walks sign. Alternatively, you can walk to the Gorge from the Kings Bridge (near the Penny Royal complex) and join the Duck Reach track at the suspension bridge in the Gorge grounds. Allow 20 minutes to walk to the Duck Reach track from Kings Bridge.

Tips

Toilets, picnic facilities, kiosk, drinking water, swimming pool and change rooms in the Cataract Gorge ground.

There are some short uphill sections and approximately 190 steps each way. (The walk can be done one way if you arrange to have a car collect you from the track exit at Corin Street, above Duck Reach.)

Supervise children, hazardous cliffs, unprotected track edges, flowing waters.

Pets, bicycles and skateboards are not permitted.