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Length: 6.7km
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Duration: 1.5hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Return
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Start: Basin Carpark
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End: Basin Carpark
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Location: Cataract Gorge Reserve
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Closest Town: West Launceston
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Distance from CBD: 199km
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State: TAS
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Latitude: -41.446185
Longitude: 147.122614
Keep the Trail Access info current...









Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


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
Keep the Trail Features current...




Cataract Gorge Reserve...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


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
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.
GPX File
Max elevation: 99 m
Min elevation: 17 m
Total climbing: 424 m
Total descent: -425 m
For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania