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South Esk River, Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area
South Esk River, Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area

Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area

Find out more

COVID-19 safety information

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Access friendly
  • Barbecues
  • Boat ramp
  • Cycling tracks
  • Dogs on leads are permitted
  • Fishing
  • Horse riding
  • Kayaking
  • Park ranger
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • Swimming
  • Toilets

ContactExpand/Collapse

  • Tamar Field Centre
    PO Box 46
    Kings Meadows
    Launceston TAS 7249
    Phone: 03 6349 1020

About

​The South Esk River weaves through the bushland of the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area, winding its way into Launceston’s Cataract Gorge and First Basin, just over the back fences of some of Launceston’s residents.

The reserve is a playground for visitors, offering mountain bike trails and walking tracks, as well as opportunities for orienteering, archery, horse riding, rock climbing and dog walking. When summer descends, Lake Trevallyn comes alive as locals and tourists hit the water to swim, canoe and water ski.

The Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area protects dry open grassy forests and woodland communities, while the aquatic and riparian habitats of the South Esk River gorge support a biodiversity of flora species. The reserve’s urban proximity and accessibility, combined with its important role in nature conservation makes it a wilderness oasis right on the edge of Tasmania’s second largest city.

A network of more than 35km of tracks and trails includes 7km of purpose-built mountain bike tracks​ developed in partnership with the Launceston Mountain Bike Club.  Bikers and other extreme sport enthusiasts descend on the reserve each May for the annual Icebreaker Multisport Event, a bike-run-kayak challenge which attracts a big field of competitors and supporters.

Visitors seeking a milder adrenalin hit can try cable hang gliding or some target practice with the Paringa Archers. Alternatively they can saddle up for occasional events organised by the Launceston Pony and Riding Club at the dressage arena or the cross country jumps circuit within the reserve.

For walkers, the trail from Aquatic Point to Trevallyn Dam and on to the Hoo Hoo Hut offers great views. The track continues to the historic Duck Reach power station and, if fitness and time permits, some may opt to press on to the Cataract Gorge Reserve and Kings Bridge to enjoy one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks, Duck Reach.​

Three main visitor nodes in the reserve (Apex Hut/Aquatic Point, Trevallyn Dam Picnic Area and the Hoo Hoo Hut) have picnic tables, shelters, toilets and barbeques and are popular with families and social groups.

​​​The reserve is a popular gathering place for amateur naturalists hoping to catch a glimpse of resident native animals. A number of mammals which have suffered major declines in their range within the Northern Midlands Bioregion, such as the eastern bettong, long-nosed potoroo and common wombat, can be found in the reserve.

Flora species and communities are diverse and include a concentration of threatened species, including small populations of the endangered Mentha australis (river mint) and Persicaria subsessilis (bristly waterpepper). Monthly working bees arranged by the Friends of Treval​lyn Reserve re​move weeds and collect native species seeds.

For more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife.

Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals.

The reserve contributes to Launceston's identity or 'sense of place', partly due to its close association with the South Esk River, the Cataract Gorge Reserve and Trevallyn Dam.

An underground tunnel and flume, integral to the historic Duck Reach hydro-electric scheme, are within the reserve and are listed on the Register of the National Estate. The station was destroyed by floods in 1929 and rebuilt the following year. It continued to operate until 1956. T​oday, interpretation panels installed around the old power station, located within the Cataract Gorge Reserve,  provide a history of the site​.

More than 10 Aboriginal cultural heritage sites are recorded in the reserve.

Buy a map from TasMap

From Launceston's West Tamar Hwy (A7), take the sign-posted turnoff to Lake Trevallyn. This leads to Reatta Road which passes through the suburb of Trevallyn and provides access to Lake Trevallyn Road (leading to the lake and boatramp) and Duck Reach Road (leading to Village Green/Hoo Hoo Hut).

A variety of paths and tracks allow pedestrian and cyclist access from surrounding residential areas and the Cataract Gorge Reserve area. There is water access to the reserve across Lake Trevallyn. 

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

The reserve is managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service and boarders on the Cataract Gorge Reserve, managed by Launceston City Council. 

Gates close at sunset.

Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our Know before you go section.

This multiple-use park caters for many recreational activities for people with differing abilities, both land and water based. 

Aquatic Point visitor node has an accessible toilet, wood-fired barbeque and picnic facilities.

The Village Green has an excellent surface for wheelchair activities, especially ba​ll g​​​​ames. The D.T. Doyle Hut has accessible picnic facilities including sheltered picnic tables and barbecue.

Nearby Hoo Hoo Hut has sheltered picnic tables and barbecue. Assistance may be required to cross the grassed areas here. Starting near Hoo Hoo Hut, a wheelchair accessible bitumen track leads down to a lookout over the river. Accessible toilets are located between the two picnic areas.

Experiences in Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area

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1.5 hours return, 6km, Some short uphill sections and approx. 190 steps (stairs), Grade 3

Follow the South Esk River from Launceston’s famous Cataract Gorge to the historic Duck Reach power station. This walk will generally suit groups with children.

Launceston and North

Duck Reach

Follow the South Esk River from Launceston’s famous Cataract Gorge to the historic Duck Reach power station. This walk will generally suit groups with children.

1.5 hours return, 6km, Some short uphill sections and approx. 190 steps (stairs), Grade 3
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