Duck Reach and Kings Bridge is a 6.7km, grade 3 hike located in the Cataract Gorge Reserve, Tasmania. The hike should take around 2.5 hrs to complete.

Length: 6.7km

Duration: 2.5 hrs

Grade: 3

Style: Return

Start: Basin Carpark

End: Basin Carpark

Location: Cataract Gorge Reserve

Closest town: West Launceston

Tasmania

From state capital: 199km

Longitude: 147.122614

Latitude: -41.446185

Leave a review

Organise this hike as an event

Check the weather

Hike overview

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.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 6712 m
Max elevation: 99 m
Min elevation: 17 m
Total climbing: 424 m
Total descent: -425 m

Download file: Duck%20Reach%20and%20Kings%20Bridge.gpx

For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania

Trail features

Gravel Path
Lighthouse
Waterfalls
Goldfields & Mining

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.

Trail location

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.

Get directions

Access conditions

2WD Access
Public Transport
Speed Bumps
Accessible Toilet
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table

Gallery

Upload your photos

If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.

Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.

About the region

Launceston Tamar and the North

Suggest an edit

Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.

Reviews

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Similar trails

Gear to consider

My planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Everyone, and every hike, is different, so customise your outdoor kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

The HiiKER app helps you to find 1,000’s of the best bushwalking and hiking adventures, with reviews, photos, and great places to stay. I’m excited to have partnered with HiiKER to offer members of Trail hiking Australia Community an exclusive deal to help you get outdoors with extra confidence with premium mapping, planning and tracking features. Claim your offer here.

Let someone know

Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. Fill in an online trip intentions form to privately send important details about your adventure to your emergency contact. They can then inform emergency services if you don’t return on time.

Weather

Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.