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
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
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.
| 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