Cataract Gorge Reserve

Launceston, Australia

A unique natural formation with walking tracks, a swimming pool, the world's longest single-span chairlift, and free entry.

Places in Cataract Gorge Reserve

The Kiosk A food and drink option that remains open within the Gorge.
The Kiosk café A café within the Gorge, remaining open for food and drink after the Basin Café's 2025 closure.
World's longest single-span chairlift A distinctive engineering feature within Cataract Gorge Reserve.

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November, for mild weather ideal for walking the free Cataract Gorge trails and enjoying river views.
Getting around: Cataract Gorge Reserve sits within two minutes' drive of central Launceston, with Stillwater and Stillwater Seven at the Gorge's mouth, and Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel 10 minutes from the CBD along the Tamar River.
Currency: Australian Dollar (A$)
Language: English. Aboriginal languages are spoken in some communities.
Timezone: AEST (UTC+10, UTC+11 in summer)
Current trends: Cataract Gorge's status as a free natural wonder just two minutes from central Launceston continues to anchor the city's tourism appeal, with Stillwater's award-winning dining in a renovated 1840s flour mill at the Gorge's mouth remaining the city's culinary showpiece, while boutique accommodation like Stillwater Seven, positioned right at the Gorge's edge, and Peppers Silo's farm-fresh Grain of the Silo restaurant reflect Launceston's growing reputation as a food-and-nature weekend destination.

Gorge mouth / Stillwater district — Home to Stillwater restaurant, housed in a renovated 1840s flour mill, and Stillwater Seven boutique accommodation.
Tamar River district — Home to Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel and Apartments, adjacent to the Tamar River.