Basin Road car park
| Nearest Road: | Basin Rd |
|---|---|
| Nearest Town: | Launceston |
| Locality: | North |
| Latitude: | S 41° 26′ 46″ |
| Longitude: | E 147° 7′ 20″ |
| Elevation: | 40 m |
| Fee: | Parking fee |
| Management: | Local council |
| Road Surface: | Sealed |
| Car Park: | Sealed |
| Water: | Mains tap |
| Toilets: | Flush |
| Toilet Accessibility: | Wheelchair |
| Shelter: | Shelter |
| Picnic Table: | Picnic table |
| Comment: | Note parking fee, or park further back on the road and walk in. There is an inclinator to help those of limited mobility to descend to the Basin area. |
14 walks from Basin Road car park
Caution
This site is a list of walks, not a walking guide. Before undertaking any walk, consult the references below.
For additional information about safe walking in Tasmania, go to the StepScape tab.
Alexandra Lookout walk (as part of First Basin Circuit)
| Goal: | Alexandra Lookout |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | Retrace route |
| One-way distance: | 185 m |
| Return distance: | 370 m |
| Comment: | Time and distance is in addition to the First Basin Circuit.Turn left over bridge (Signposted) |
References
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts
5 minutes circuit
“… excellent view of First Basin,t he bridge and…â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts
5 minutes
“… short climb from the western end of the suspension bridge…â€
Tags
Aquatic Point walk from First Basin
| Goal: | Aquatic Point |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Some steep |
| Type: | Retrace route |
| One-way distance: | 7,500 m |
| Return distance: | 15,000 m |
| Comment: | Take the First Basin Track, cross at old power station and up the steps into Trevallyn Reserve. Follow track past HooHoo Hut Trevallyn Dam to Point |
References
Andrew Bain, Walks in Nature - Tasmania, Hardie Grant Travel, Number 22, 22 - Cataract Gorge and Trevallyn
“A popular gorge trail through to Duck Reach and a favourite wild reserve.â€
Tags
Cataract Gorge Lookouts Circuit
| Goal: | Eagle Eyrie |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Some steep |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 1,800 m |
| Comment: | Cross suspension bridge. Keep left for Alexandra Lookout, then Cataract Lookout. Eagles Eyrie track is behind chairlift station. |
References
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts
1 hour 10 minutes circuit
“A range of short walks…to lookouts with impressive views of First Basin.â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts
“One or several can be combined with the more gentle circuit of First Basinâ€
Tags
Cataract Lookout walk (as part of First Basin Circuit)
| Goal: | Cataract Lookout |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Long climb |
| Type: | Retrace route |
| One-way distance: | 300 m |
| Return distance: | 600 m |
| Comment: | Time and distance is in addition to the First Basin Circuit. Cross bridge, turn left, then second left. (Signposted) |
References
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts
20 minutes circuit
“… head west along side a small stream before climbing steeply to the south.â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 16, Number 2, 2 - Cataract Gorge Lookouts
20 minutes
“This vantage point is both higher and further downstream…â€
Tags
Cataract Walk
| Goal: | Kings Bridge |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | One way pickup |
| One-way distance: | 1,000 m |
| Return distance: | 2,000 m |
| Comment: | Cross river on bridge or causeway. Take Cataract Walk to Kings Bridge and return. |
References
Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 7, Number 3, Cataract Walk
Tags
Circuit of First Basin
| Goal: | First Basin |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 900 m |
| Comment: | Wheelchairs recommended to access northern side via Cliff Ground car park off Gorge Rd. |
References
Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, First Basin
15 minutes circuit
“Largely flat walk crossed the Alexandra Suspension Bridge.â€
Tags
Duck Reach Circuit Trail
| Goal: | Duck Reach Power Station |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Some steep |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 4,500 m |
| Comment: | Head upstream on south side of river. Cross at Duck Reach bridge and up steps. Right to Reedy Gully Tk, Right to Snake Gully Tk, back around Basin. |
References
Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 10, Number 6, Duck Reach Trail
Tags
Duck Reach Track
| Goal: | Duck Reach Power Station |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Some steep |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 4,500 m |
| Comment: | Head upstream on south side of river from The Basin to Duck Reach Power Station. Return same way |
References
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania, P&WS, Duck Reach
1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“The walk can be one-way if you arrange car pickup from the track exit at Corin St.â€
Tags
First Basin Walk to Duck Reach
| Goal: | Duck Reach car park |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | One way pickup |
| One-way distance: | 2,250 m |
| Return distance: | 4,500 m |
| Comment: | Track along inside of Gorge (on south side), with look-out over Second Basin |
References
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania, P&WS, Number 40, Duck Reach
1 hour 30 minutes retrace route
“The track continues up the eastern side of the river. Return via the same track.â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach
2 hours retrace route
“Scenic river views and pleasant picnic areas.â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach
2 hours retrace route
“… an old and particularly attractive track…â€
Tags
First Basin Walk to Second Basin Lookout
| Goal: | Second Basin Lookout |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | Retrace route |
| One-way distance: | 1,500 m |
| Return distance: | 3,000 m |
| Comment: | Walk south around Basin to Alexandra Bridge. Continue on track upstream (without crossing bridge) to Lookout over Second Basin. Return |
References
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania, P&WS, Number 40, Duck Reach
“There is a new lookout about halfway overlooking Second Basinâ€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach
2 hours retrace route
“There is a new lookout about halfway overlooking Second Basinâ€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 14, Number 1, 1 - First Basin to Duck Reach
2 hours retrace route
“There is a new lookout about halfway overlooking Second Basinâ€
Cowirrie, Walks known to Cowirrie and not yet sourced, not published
“Track along cliff face but well fenced. Great viewsâ€
Tags
First Basin circuit walk to Kings Bridge
| Goal: | Kings Bridge |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Some steep |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 2,700 m |
| Comment: | Walk around First Basin then on to Kings Bridge via Cataract Walk. Return via ZigZag Track. |
References
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 18, Number 3, 3 - First Basin to Kings Bridge
1 hour circuit
“Good views and tranquil bushland close to the heart of Launceston.â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 18, Number 3, 3 - First Basin to Kings Bridge
1 hour circuit
“A short but varied walk along the banks of the South Esk River through Cataract Gorge.â€
Hikespeak, Zig-Zag Track, Cataract Walk, and Bridge Walk Loop in Cataract Reserve
“The circuit travels along the Gorge and around First Basin…â€
Tags
First Basin Loop Walk
| Goal: | Lookout down Cataract Gorge |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 900 m |
| Comment: | Walk around First basin then downriver on north side of Gorge to Kings Bridge. Cross bridge and return via Zig Zag track. |
References
Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 9, Number 5, First Basin Loop
Tags
Snake Gully Walk
| Goal: | Snake Gully |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Type: | Circuit |
| One-way distance: | 4,000 m |
| Comment: | Cross Alexandra Bridge. At creek, take path left into Snake Gully Tk. Walk up to Reedy Gully Junction. Return. |
References
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 24, Number 6, 6 - Snake Gully
1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“Pleasant bushland with plentiful wildlife enroute and an unusual ambience in the gully itself.â€
Jan Hardy & Bert Elson, 50 Family Walks around Launceston & Northeast Tasmania, Hillside Publishing, Page 24, Number 6, 6 - Snake Gully
1 hour 30 minutes circuit
“… an unusual ambience in the gully itself.â€
Tags
Zigzag Walk
| Goal: | Kings Bridge |
|---|---|
| Grade: | Some steep |
| Type: | One way pickup |
| One-way distance: | 1,000 m |
| Return distance: | 2,000 m |
| Comment: | From the Basin Travelator, follow track east on the southern side of the Gorge. Come out near Penny Royal for pickup in their car park. |
References
Launceston City Council, Trails in and around Launceston, Launceston City Council - now out of print, Page 8, Number 4, Zigzag Track