Cataract Gorge Cruises
Cataract Gorge Cruises
4.5
Full view
About
Explore the Old Launceston Seaport before cruising to Kings Wharf viewing historic vessels and Launceston's delightful riverfront precinct. The highlight of the experience is then cruising into the spectacular Cataract Gorge as we engage the Lady Launceston's unique and silent electric drive. View the sheer cliffs and cascades from your comfortable seat with unobstructed views on our multi award winning 1890's style vessel. Enjoy the skippers captivating commentary on the history of this fascinating area.
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Cataract Gorge Cruises
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
140 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
38
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Ivan R
Melbourne, Australia1,212 contributions
Feb 2022
Arrived in Launceston early as Qantas changed our flights. Looking for something to pass the morning decided on Catarct Gorge cruise. Short 1 hours with good commentary, kids were jumping high off the cliff walls into the water so added to the attraction. Very pleasant way to while away an hour.
Written 8 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Post4sue
Darwin, Australia83 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
On a gloomy, wet day we went for a short (50 min) cruise around the Tamar, Esk rivers and Cataract Gorge aboard the historic Lady Launceston. Not the best day for a cruise but a fun and informative little trip. Ross our skipper was entertaining and full of interesting information about the rivers, history, shipping and general knowledge of the areas we were traversing. A good way to spend an hour.
Written 23 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
station
melbourne140 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
This is a relaxing tour of the top end of the Tamar River and the the South Esk River towards the gorge. Our guide was very informative and we learnt a lot about the history of the rivers, the Port of Launceston and the gorge. The only drawback may be the cost for taking a family on this tour. Tip - try to take the trip when the tide is higher rather than lower.
Written 22 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Biggav1965
Pakenham, Australia213 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Slow boring cruise with only 10-15 minutes of the cruise in the gorge. The rest was up to the area where you can see the yacht jetty’s and up and down the river. Some commentary of the history of the area. I wouldn’t recommend it if wanting to see the cataract gorge. Best to drive to it.
Took 50 minutes
Cost $35 for seniors and $40 full fare.
Took 50 minutes
Cost $35 for seniors and $40 full fare.
Written 21 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gwegwy
Mt Eliza, Australia604 contributions
Dec 2019
We'd done the 4-hour Batman Bridge lunch tour on our last visit to Launceston and whilst that cruise ended at Cataract Gorge, the inference was that this bigger boat couldn't go very far up the gorge ie it was worth doing the specific gorge cruise in the much smaller boat. As it turned out, the 50-minute gorge cruise is pretty much a repeat of the start and end of the longer cruise. However, it was a relaxing way to spend a late morning on the 11.30 cruise before having lunch at Hallam's Waterfront restaurant. Tip: if you show your cruise tickets at the restaurant, they take 10% off the whole bill. We were told this by the restaurant people. It wasn't mentioned at the cruise booking office or by the boat driver.
There's a game you can play on this cruise. Count how many times the boat driver says "actual" or "actually" unnecessarily. We stopped counting when we got to 60 but it went way beyond that. His commentary is "actually" quite interesting but, after a while, the actual/actually becomes monotonous.
We sat in a few different places on the boat but found that the best viewing spot was on the right hand side of the boat in the middle of the central benches. People sitting at the window benches didn't stay there long because they got too hot in the sun.
There's a game you can play on this cruise. Count how many times the boat driver says "actual" or "actually" unnecessarily. We stopped counting when we got to 60 but it went way beyond that. His commentary is "actually" quite interesting but, after a while, the actual/actually becomes monotonous.
We sat in a few different places on the boat but found that the best viewing spot was on the right hand side of the boat in the middle of the central benches. People sitting at the window benches didn't stay there long because they got too hot in the sun.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anzacbiscuit08
Queensland, Australia209 contributions
Feb 2025 • Friends
We took this 50 minute cruise hoping for much more. It was a slow lap around the north and south Esk River, a look at some wrecked boats, nice homes on a hill and a dull 1 km trip into the Gorge. Hugely overpriced for what we experienced
Written 10 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Max P
Sydney, Australia117 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
I want to say at the outset I was a sceptic and I had read the reviews, that it could be that good.
The cute little boat, was comfortable and the skipper and commentator (Rolley) was so confident and knowledgeable that I had learned so much in the first 20 minutes of the journey. Knows his way around. Despite doing a little cross marketing for a few other businesses, it was fun
The scenery is magic and understanding the history and the flood mitigation that Launceston has had to do was also fascinating. His anecdotes were factual and fascinating.
If you are in Launceston you must do this trip. Remember to park, pay and display. A great attraction for the area.
The cute little boat, was comfortable and the skipper and commentator (Rolley) was so confident and knowledgeable that I had learned so much in the first 20 minutes of the journey. Knows his way around. Despite doing a little cross marketing for a few other businesses, it was fun
The scenery is magic and understanding the history and the flood mitigation that Launceston has had to do was also fascinating. His anecdotes were factual and fascinating.
If you are in Launceston you must do this trip. Remember to park, pay and display. A great attraction for the area.
Written 30 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David J
Jersey, UK273 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
An 0930 start , an interesting hybrid electrical and diesel vessel , a very competent and intformative skipper , and a brief look at where the two branches of the Esk River join to form the Tamar , as well as a short trip up the picturesque Esk gorge makes an interesting start to the day , but at 29AUD ( concession 25AUD ) for a 50 minute trip , perhaps a little bit on the expensive side ?
Written 27 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovetoeat
Sydney, Australia67 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
Within walking distance from Lanceston CBD is the cruise dock. Parking is very close and only costs a few dollars. If taking kids take a jacket, can be slightly cool. Small boat, no chance of sickness, it's a leisurely cruise, the captain gives a great talk on history, location and surrounding Launceston. The gorge is beautiful and highly recommend this.
Written 23 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mtpockets95
South Australia, Australia344 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Great, short 50 minute informative cruise around the Tamar River Harbour, then up the gorge. Really informative Captain told us about it's history. Would highly recommend.
Written 10 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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