Parks and Gardens around Launceston
Nature & Parks
- Cataract Gorge Reserve - Situated only 2 kilometres from the park, Cataract Gorge is a must see. Ride on the world's longest single chairlift span, enjoy the numerous walking trails (including the suspension bridge walk over the South Esk River leading to the Duck Reach Power Station museum), historic rotunda, landscaped gardens and native flora and fauna. There are two cafes/restaurants so it is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely lunch or take a picnic and enjoy the outdoors .....AH!!!!!!
- City Park - Rated as one of the top ten parks in Australia, City Park features beautiful old oak trees and well established garden beds, a lovely children's play area complete with a train to climb on, the Macaque monkey enclosure, duck pond and the beautiful historic John Hart Conservatory. Close to the city centre, City Park is a heritage park with a series of memorials and statues including Launceston's Boer War Memorial, a statue of Tasmanian botanist Ronald Campbell Gunn and a plinthed cannon taken as a war trophy from the Crimean War. The ornate cast-iron Jubilee Fountain and the large band rotunda add to the historic charm. The most prominent building at the park is the Albert Hall which was built in 1891. The studios of City Park Radio and their radio museum are located in the former Park Caretakers Cottage - outside of which you will see one of the oldest wisteria vines in Australia, planted in 1837.
- Riverbend Park - Containing a range of play equipment and experiences, including swings, diggers, sand pits, a wheelchair carousel, a water play area, musical instruments, outdoor table tennis, see-saws and a full size sports court. The park's largest attractions are undoubtedly the Sky Walk and the confluence net.
- Civic Square - Features include the Denham Henty Waterscape, sculptures by Stephen Walker, Water Jets by Mirek Marik and a special Japanese Garden which was a gift to the city from Ikeda, Launceston’s Sister City. There is also the LINC building (our library), City Hall, Henty House and the historic Post Office (with the Town Clock) within and surrounding the square as well.
- Royal Park - Originally the site for Tasmania's first military barracks Royal Park is now an established park adjacent to the Tamar River. Featuring a barbecue area, play space, skate park and outdoor exercise equipment, it also has numerous established trees and the Launceston Cenotaph. Boardwalks and sealed paths provide links to nearby Cataract Gorge Reserve, Kings Park, the Queen Victoria Art Gallery and the Seaport.
- Kings Park - Kings Park is an open parkland on the foreshore of the River Tamar. It contains a walkway that links to Royal Park and Cataract Gorge.
- Ockerby Gardens - From 1841 to 1925 Ockerby Gardens was the city's general cemetery. Following a fire, which destroyed some headstones in 1930, the remaining headstones were moved to Carr Villa Memorial Park. Situated next to the Launceston General Hospital, the site is now a recreation area featuring mature trees and a play space.
- Prince's Square - Originally a brickfield and the site of past military drills, rowdy political meetings and even a hanging or two, Princes Square is now a historic park that includes beautiful large mature trees (many planted by royalty), the iconic Val d'Osne Fountain and a fabulous statue of Dr William Russ Pugh (the first to use general anaesthetic for surgery in the Southern Hemisphere). Standing at 7 meters high, and the focal point of Prince's Square, the Val d'Osne Fountain is the central meeting point of the main pathways. First exhibited in the Paris Industrial Exhibition of 1855 the fountain was purchased by the Municipal Council in 1859 to commemorate the completion of Launceston's town water scheme in 1857. A popular local myth is that the fountain was actually purchased by the council in Launceston, Cornwall, England but was accidentally shipped to Tasmania. As it was too expensive to send back it was placed in its present site - lucky Launceston, Tasmania!!!
- St Georges Square - St George's Square is a lovely small park featuring established mature trees with an open play and picnic area surrounded by some of Launceston's finest heritage homes. It is also bordered by High Street (nicknamed 'Eat Street') where a varied selection of vibrant food vans set up for evening meals on a regular basis.
- Brickfields Reserve - Brickfields Reserve was the site of another one of many brickfields found in Launceston. A small square of beautiful lawns and mature trees it is located close to the CBD of Launceston.
- Punchbowl Reserve - Tucked away in one of Launceston's southern suburbs, the Punchbowl Reserve is a favourite barbecue and picnic destination with the locals. The park is in a bushland setting with children’s play space, bushland walking trails and a duck pond. The best time to visit is in spring when the rhododendron displays are a feature of this gorgeous reserve.
- Trevallyn Reserve - Offering views over the Tamar River and city, this established community park features a network of paths, bandstand and a traditional play space.
- Waverley Lake Park - Another local secret - Waverley Lake Park is a large community park with a picturesque lakeside setting. It is also a dedicated junior fishing area.
