Penny Royal Waterfall

Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

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Penny Royal Waterfall

TABLE OF CONTENTS



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INTRODUCTION

The Penny Royal Waterfall really felt more like a mall and amusement park backdrop than a legitimate waterfall attraction. That said, the way the artificial falls was situated, it attractively dropped from a cliff past a swinging walkway and into a pool fringed by rides, restaurants, and some interesting replicas of old school boats. Situated on the cliffs adjacent to the mouth of the Cataract Gorge, we even noticed the falls dropping well in the distance from some spots within the city of Launceston (when it was flowing). Penny Royal was actually a multi-use area that was part apartments / hotel, part dining mall / food court, and part adventure park with rides, climbing walls, fossicking, cliff adventures, etc. The waterfall only ran during business hours as we had seen the water shut off after hours. Just seeing this place as alive as it was during our November-December 2017 stays in Launceston felt new to us, and it turned out that was because this place had been shut during our first visit to Launceston back in November 2006.

As for visiting the Penny Royal Waterfall, it was pretty easy. All we had to do was park either on the street or in one of the pay-and-display spots in the Penny Royal car park, then we just walked right through the entrance door and checked out the falls. It was free to walk about the property and experience the waterfall. However, to do any of the adventures or excursions, we had to pay for passes either online or from the ticket booth near the entrance. It only took me less than a half-hour to experience the falls and the complex without partaking in any of the adventures.




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PHOTO JOURNAL

Penny Royal sat right at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge, but further upstream was the more bustling part of the gorge where locals and tourists alike did the walks or swam or picnickedPenny Royal sat right at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge, but further upstream was the more bustling part of the gorge where locals and tourists alike did the walks or swam or picnicked
It seemed like rain was a constant each day we were in Launceston during our 2017 trip. But such weather produced high arching rainbows like this oneIt seemed like rain was a constant each day we were in Launceston during our 2017 trip. But such weather produced high arching rainbows like this one
I remembered on our first visit to Launceston in 2006, we passed by the Penny Royal complex and entered the Cataract Gorge in twilight, which had some background music and a magical atmosphereI remembered on our first visit to Launceston in 2006, we passed by the Penny Royal complex and entered the Cataract Gorge in twilight, which had some background music and a magical atmosphere
Looking towards the far end (away from the waterfall) of the Penny Royal complex looking more like an outdoor food court or mall in this photoLooking towards the far end (away from the waterfall) of the Penny Royal complex looking more like an outdoor food court or mall in this photo
At the Penny Royal car parkAt the Penny Royal car park

About to enter the Penny Royal complexAbout to enter the Penny Royal complex

As soon as I passed through the entrance for Penny Royal, this was the view I was greeted withAs soon as I passed through the entrance for Penny Royal, this was the view I was greeted with

More direct look at the waterfall tumbling from the cliffs backing Penny RoyalMore direct look at the waterfall tumbling from the cliffs backing Penny Royal

Examining the Penny Royal Waterfall from across the man-made pondExamining the Penny Royal Waterfall from across the man-made pond

On the other side of the Penny Royal complex, this was the view of the waterfall along with some dining tablesOn the other side of the Penny Royal complex, this was the view of the waterfall along with some dining tables

Looking right up from the bottom of the Penny Royal Waterfall. That bridge up there was for the Cliff Adventures excursionLooking right up from the bottom of the Penny Royal Waterfall. That bridge up there was for the Cliff Adventures excursion

Looking back at the Penny Royal Waterfall as I was about to complete the little circuit around the complexLooking back at the waterfall as I was about to complete the little circuit around the complex

This was the view looking away from the Penny Royal WaterfallThis was the view looking away from the waterfall

Last look back at the Penny Royal Waterfall before leavingLast look back at the Penny Royal Waterfall before leaving

For a trip back in memory lane, this was the Penny Royal Gunpowder Mills back when it was shut during our first visit to Launceston in late November 2006For a trip back in memory lane, this was the Penny Royal Gunpowder Mills back when it was shut during our first visit to Launceston in late November 2006


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VIDEOS OF THE FALLS


Long video showing just about all the views of the falls from within the general area of Penny Royal


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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Penny Royal sat adjacent to the mouth of the Cataract Gorge just before the King's Bridge on Bridge Rd west of the Launceston CBD (said to be a 10-minute walk from there).

From within the Launceston CBD, the key was to head west on Paterson St. It became Bridge Rd towards the west end of Kings Park. The turnoff for the car park for Penny Royal was on the left just past the underpass of the A7 highway (West Tamar Rd).

For some context, Launceston was about 103km (over an hour drive) east of Devonport, 167km (over 2 hours drive) west of St Helens, and 201km (nearly 2.5 hours drive) north of Hobart.




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ITINERARIES

For more information about our itineraries involving this waterfall, check out the following links.


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MAP OF THE FALLS



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TRIP REPORTS

For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.




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TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES




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NEARBY WATERFALLS




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RELATED PAGES



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