Launceston’s own piece of wilderness just 15 minutes walk from the city centre.

Here you’ll find walking and hiking trails, the world’s longest single span chairlift, swimming pool,

restaurant, kiosk, cafe peacocks and wildlife, beautiful gardens, suspension bridge, inclinator

for easy access, Interpretation Centre and panoramic lookouts with spectacular views.

The First Basin, on the southern side, features a swimming pool and an open area surrounded by bushland.

In contrast, the shady northern side, named the Cliff Grounds, is a Victorian garden where wilderness is created with ferns and exotic plants – nature is enhanced by art. There’s a Restaurant and kiosk, rolling lawns and a rotunda, a pub with a view, a footbridge and chairlift across the river, peacocks in the trees, wallabies at dusk. This may be the nation’s most alluring
urban reserve.

Further upstream is the historic Duck Reach Power Station, now an Interpretation Centre. The Launceston City Council originally commissioned the Power Station in 1893, making it the largest hydro-electric scheme of its day. By 1895 it was lighting the city.