Cataract Gorge Reserve, known locally as the Gorge, is a unique natural formation within a two minute drive of central Launceston. In an easy 15 minutes, visitors can walk from central Launceston along the banks of the Tamar River into the Gorge. From there, follow a pathway originally built in the 1890s along the cliff face looking down onto the South Esk River. The First Basin on the southern side has a cafe and a swimming pool surrounded by bush land, known to locals as Launceston's beach. In contrast, the shady northern side, named the Cliff Grounds, is a Victorian garden with ferns and exotic plants. With a kiosk, restaurant and swimming pool, rolling lawns and a rotunda, a footbridge and a chairlift across the river, as well as peacocks and wallabies at dusk, this may be Australia's most alluring urban reserve. And entrance is free.