Cataract Gorge: Our most recommended tours and activities

Launceston: 2.5-Hour Morning or Afternoon Discovery Cruise

1. Launceston: 2.5-Hour Morning or Afternoon Discovery Cruise

Cruise into the magical Cataract Gorge and through Launceston's riverfront precinct. You will head north past Tamar Island, observing historical buildings such as the St. Mathias Church and the Rosevears Pub. Throughout your tour, you will enjoy morning tea, a fresh fruit selection, local wine,  and a beer tasting. You will experience a relaxed variety of life as you cruise past charming riverfront communities, vineyards and farms, and onward to the historical Rosevears and Windemere districts. This fascinating collection of history, fauna, and people at work, rest, and play makes an absorbing narrative which will touch, intrigue and inspire. This tour will provide you with the best vantage point to view the Tamar Valley. At the conclusion of your scenic and relaxing cruise, you will be returned to your point of origin.

Launceston: 50-Minute Cataract Gorge Cruise

2. Launceston: 50-Minute Cataract Gorge Cruise

After departing from the terminal, you will cruise past the historical Kings Wharf, Seaport, and Launceston's delightful riverfront precinct. The highlight of the experience is then cruising into Launceston's spectacular Cataract Gorge, as you engage the Lady Launceton's unique silent electric drive function. You can view the sheer cliffs from your comfortable seating, appreciate the unobstructed views on the multi-award winning 1890's style vessel. Whilst aboard the Lady Launceston, you can also enjoy the skipper's captivating commentary which surrounds the history and folklore of this fascinating area.

Launceston: 4-Hour Batman Bridge Luncheon Cruise

3. Launceston: 4-Hour Batman Bridge Luncheon Cruise

Cruise into the magical Cataract Gorge and through Launceston's riverfront precinct, heading north past Tamar Island, historical buildings, churches, pubs, and significant homesteads. You can sample the rich diversity of life as you cruise past quaint riverfront communities, vineyards and farms, to the notable Batman Bridge. Tamer Valley is steeped with romance and studded with tales of bushrangers, explorers, and gold diggers. Australia's longest navigable estuarine river, it has many natural coves and protected inlets that provide a sanctuary for thousands of native water birds that can only be seen on the river. All cruises depart from and return to Home Point Cruise Terminal, which is a taxi ride only 5 minutes from most CBD accommodations. Home Point is a pleasant 15 minute walk from the city center, and guests are kindly asked to be at the cruise terminal 30 minutes prior to departure

Tasmania: 7-Day Tasmania Highlights Tour

4. Tasmania: 7-Day Tasmania Highlights Tour

Day 1: Hobart to Strahan Departing Hobart, your tour of Tasmania/lutruwita begins in Mount Field National Park. Walk among the world’s tallest eucalyptus trees and discover the cascading Russell Falls. The incredible scenery continues at Lake St Clair (Australia’s deepest freshwater lake), and the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. You’ll learn about Tasmania’s mining history in Queenstown before arriving in the village of Strahan where we’ll spend the next two nights. Day 2: Wild West Coast Discover the West Coast’s wild and rugged coastlines and rainforests. Walk to Tasmania’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls, within the ancient rainforests of the Tarkine/takayna. At the coast we’ll explore Henty Sand Dunes and Tasmania’s longest stretch of sand at Ocean Beach. Or today you can choose an outstanding nature cruise on the beautiful Gordon River (own cost). Day 3: Cradle Mountain to Launceston Discover Cradle’s alpine and glacial-carved wilderness as you look for wombats, echidna, and other Tasmanian wildlife. Choose from a variety of world-class walks, such as the track to the summit of Marion’s Lookout, or the Dove Lake circuit. Later today we'll drive to the city of Launceston via the colourful town of Sheffield, known as the Town of Murals. Day 4: Launceston to Bicheno Explore Launceston's lovely Cataract Gorge which is a great place for seeing wallaby. Travel to the Bay of Fires/larapuna and learn about the spiritual connection of the land to Tasmanian aboriginal people/palawa. Walk along pristine white sands with its turquoise waters with striking orange boulders. We will spend the night in Bicheno, home of the little penguin. Day 5: Freycinet National Park Walk to Wineglass Bay or climb to the summit of Mt Amos. We'll visit the Cape Tourville lighthouse before returning to Hobart/nipaluna. Day 6: Tasmanian Devils, Richmond and Wellington Park Today we'll meet Tasmanian devils at Bonorong wildlife sanctuary, before exploring the heritage village of Richmond. Back in Hobart we'll show you some of our favourite spots on Mount Wellington/kunanyi. Tonight, unwind in one of Hobart's historic pubs or restaurants. Day 7: Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula Discover the rugged coastal scenery and epic convict history of the Tasman Peninsula/turrakana. Visit Port Arthur, Australia’s best preserved convict settlement. Later today we'll walk to the stunning Crescent Bay, before returning to Hobart.

Tasmania in 6 Days: the Major Highlights and Attractions

5. Tasmania in 6 Days: the Major Highlights and Attractions

Day 1: Salamanca Markets, Tasmanian Devils and Port Arthur We begin by exploring the famous Salamanca Markets in Hobart/nipaluna. At this bustling outdoor market you can buy hand-made Tasmanian goods and sample a range of seasonal produce and gourmet foods. Then we’ll visit a wildlife sanctuary to meet native wildlife like Tasmanian devils. At Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula/turrakana, imagine the harsh convict life of the early 1800’s at Australia’s best preserved convict settlement. Later, see the dramatic coastal scenery of Tasman National Park at the geological wonders of Tasman Arch and the Devil’s Kitchen. We return to Hobart for a night to explore the city at your leisure. Day 2: Freycinet National Park to Bicheno Today's highlight is exploring Freycinet National Park with its pristine beaches and pink granite mountains. Climb to the summit of Mt Amos or walk to Wineglass Bay. We'll visit Cape Tourville Lighthouse then continue to the coastal town of Bicheno, home of the little penguin. Day 3: Bicheno to Launceston via Bay of Fires The Bay of Fires/larapuna is a place with profound cultural significance to Tasmanian aboriginal people (palawa). You’ll love walking along the dazzling white sands with its clear waters and lichen clad boulders. We’ll travel to Launceston and walk within Cataract Gorge, looking for wallabies as we go, before spending the night in Australia's second oldest city. Day 4: Cradle Mountain to Strahan Leaving Launceston, a short drive takes us through Sheffield, the ‘Town of Murals’ and then onto Tasmania’s most famous alpine national park. Cradle is home to an abundance of wildlife such as wombats and echidnas. Choose from a variety of incredible walks such as the Dove Lake circuit or the challenging walk to the summit of Marion’s Lookout. Departing Cradle, we travel to the harbourside village of Strahan on the West Coast, our accommodation for the next two nights. Day 5: Wild West Coast Today’s playground is the untouched wilderness of Tasmania’s West Coast. Walk in the rainforests of the Tarkine/takayna to reach Tasmania’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls. You’ll also explore the enormous Henty Sand Dunes. Alternatively, today you have the option of cruising the wildly beautiful Gordon River (own cost). Later at Ocean Beach, you can breathe the world’s freshest air. Back in Strahan, our guide can help you look for platypus. Day 6: Strahan to Hobart Buttongrass plains, mountains, waterfalls, rainforest, and pioneer history are some of today’s highlights. Our first stop is Queenstown, a mining town with a fascinating history. We then travel through the Tasmanian World Heritage Area via the pristine Franklin-Gordon Wild River National Park and Lake St Clair. At Mt Field National Park we'll stroll beneath some of the world’s tallest trees and see the beautiful Russell Falls. We return to Hobart around 5.30pm, the end of an incredible adventure.

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What people are saying about Cataract Gorge

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 369 reviews

It was a very pleasant and informative trip. Our guide whose name escapes me had a lot of interesting factual information to share about history, the environment and animal and bird life. He had a good sense of humour and we could tell he had a personal interest in the local history. His partner in crime served up a great morning tea and did a great wine presentation and could suggest on a personal level what wine went with what. Both of them took great pride in what they did. The boat was also very comfortable and had good seating options. Well done to Tamar Cruises. A very pleasant 2 and 1/2 hours. Sorry I cannot remember their names but tell the skipper that black swans were in WA long before the English came!!!!! Vicki and David Martin

Fantastic way to learn about the city. Our captain and guide was extremely knowledgeable across history, architecture, recent events and wildlife.

It was a relaxing 4 hours cruising on the Tamer. The captain Wes very informative and the crew welcoming. Morning tea and lunch were delicious.

My wife and I went on the cruise with our 3 primary school ages kids and we had a great time. Very friendly staff and accommodating.

It was a nice experience. Learnt quite a lot about the history within short period of time.