The Gorge, Launceston

'Gorge'ous and it's FREE!

We planned a family get together at ‘The Gorge’. Plenty of parking available but it is meter parking – you don’t need to pay for parking after 5pm and it is open 24/7. What an amazing place to spend time with family and friends. 

Entry is free but the chairlift ride is $13 (one-way) or $16 (return). When we purchased our tickets, the lady suggested one-way up is the best way, as it is uphill and then walking back the rest of the way would be an easy, steady walk downhill – less strenuous. Excellent suggestion. 

We started with the chairlift, slow-paced moving chairlift, where you can take in the amazing views down below or do what I did and video the whole trip on my mobile on a time lapse. The chairlift will take you over the ‘First Basin’ which also features a swimming pool beside it, followed by the ‘Cataract Gorge’ which joins ‘South Esk River’ you will also be overlooking the layout of the park gardens and wildlife – which I saw a peacock on a rooftop. 

We then started our walk to return back to where we started. Along our walk, we spotted friendly wallabies busily eating, peacocks, a large rotunda gazebo, then proceeded to walk on ‘Alexandra Suspension Bridge’ (sways a little but amazing views down below), plenty of fauna and flora to see and lots of plaques displayed to read what The Gorge has to offer – this place is truly beautiful. Panoramic lookouts available to take in the views and lots of photos to be taken. 

Hungry? For fine dining ‘The Gorge Restaurant’ opened for lunch and dinner, casual dining ‘Basin Café’ to meet your budget or do what we did, we bought fish ‘n’ chips elsewhere, an esky filled with drinks and brought it back to The Gorge – there are tables and benches available so you can enjoy your food comfortably. The Basin Café also has a fully stocked Souvenir Shop. 

Also, The Gorge has an ‘Inclinator’, and believe it or not, this facility works in favour for wheelchair access – so everyone can enjoy a day outing at The Gorge. Anyone can use this ‘free-of-charge’ Inclinator, that transports visitors from the top entrance to the lawn area below. The toilets were undesirable on the day. If only the visitors, would treat public facilities the same respect they would have at home. 

Well suited and affordable for families on a tight budget, everything is for free except for the chairlift, eateries and giftshop. If you’re planning on spending a day at The Gorge, don’t forget to bring along swimmers, hat, sunscreen and towels – they also have shower facilities.

Bald Critics Rating