Launceston



Launceston is the second-largest city in Tasmania and provides a base to explore the northern part of the state. The city was settled in 1805 and has a population of 87,645 (2021), making it Australia's fifth-largest inland city.

Understand

 * Tourism website

By plane
Launceston is approximately 50 minutes from Melbourne on the mainland. Daily flights fly from Melbourne with Virgin Australia, Qantas Link, and Jetstar. Direct flights from Sydney are available daily and direct flights from Brisbane are available on selected days.

has four gates and not a lot of flights, so security moves quite quickly. The waiting area has free but slow wifi, a few cafes, and a standard airport shop with books and souvenirs. Rental cars are available at the airport.

By car
Launceston is a hub of the highway system in Northern Tasmania. From Hobart, Devonport, or Burnie, use Highway 1.

Get around
The best way to get around Launceston is by car. Taxis are available, but may add up to be expensive; try to get a transfer when you are moving from the airport to your hotel. Car rentals are available for reasonable rates. There is also a Metro bus service which goes all through the town.

Bicycle is a reasonable way to get around Launceston and out the Gorge. Traffic is fairly quiet in town, and there is a good network of bike paths.

See

 * Launceston City Park - includes an enclosure housing a large number of Macaque monkeys
 * Historic houses and buildings including Macquarie House, Franklin House, Entally House, Clarendon House and the 'Old Umbrella Shop'.
 * Tamar Valley - wine-growing area
 * National Motor Museum

Tamar Island
The Tamar Island Wetlands is a unique urban wetlands reserve 10 minutes' drive from the heart of Launceston in Tasmania's north.

Tamar Island has been Crown Land since settlement and up to the 1980s was leased to private and public operators. In the 1980s the Tasmanian Government purchased the wetlands area around Tamar Island, which was incorporated into the greater Tamar River Conservation Area.

An interpretation centre offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the value of the wetlands, along with a hike that takes you through the wetlands, in bird hides and over to the historic Tamar Island.

Cataract Gorge


Cataract Gorge is 1 km from the centre of Launceston. There is paid parking at the entrance to the park, either all day or by the hour.


 * There are many walking tracks which skirt the side of the gorge, and cross it at a suspension bridge and a low level bridge.
 * You can swim in the gorge. The water can be quite cold, and there is a current, but with care you should be fine.  There are constructed entrances to the water, and access is free.  There is also an unheated swimming pool, and access to that is also free.
 * You can see the gardens and pergolas, and the peacocks walking around.
 * You can play on the playgrounds.
 * You can take a chairlift across the gorge, and walk back, or vice-versa, although going both ways on the chairlift is about the same price as a one way ticket.
 * There is a cafe on each side of the gorge, serving ice-creams, coffee, snacks, etc.

Do

 * Cruise the Tamar River
 * Tour the surrounding wineries of the Tamar Valley
 * Yoga in the park open classes by local yoga teacher in Launceston parks on weekend mornings. Saturday morning in City Park before the harvest markets and on Sunday mornings in Riverbend Park www.werethee.com.au donation based/bookings not required.
 * Launceston self-guided walking tour along historic Cameron Street. See Launceston Historical Society's Page for more details.
 * Launceston self-guided walking tour along historic Cameron Street. See Launceston Historical Society's Page for more details.
 * Launceston self-guided walking tour along historic Cameron Street. See Launceston Historical Society's Page for more details.
 * Launceston self-guided walking tour along historic Cameron Street. See Launceston Historical Society's Page for more details.

Buy

 * Tasmanian Wool Products: Waverley Woolen Mills, The Sheep's Back (George St)
 * The Tasmanian Devil as soft toys, hand-puppets etc

Budget

 * Fish and Chips at the end of the Wharf, past the end of the flood barrier when walking from town. Possibly the best fish and chips you'll ever have. Prices depending on fish and season.
 * Fish and Chips at the end of the Wharf, past the end of the flood barrier when walking from town. Possibly the best fish and chips you'll ever have. Prices depending on fish and season.
 * Fish and Chips at the end of the Wharf, past the end of the flood barrier when walking from town. Possibly the best fish and chips you'll ever have. Prices depending on fish and season.

Splurge

 * Brisbane Street Bistro, 24 Brisbane St, Fine dining (including degustation) using local ingredients, modern Australian/French style. They can cater for most dietary requirements with advance notice. Bookings essential regardless.
 * Quigley's.
 * Dockside.
 * Black Cow.
 * Dockside.
 * Black Cow.

Drink
Launceston has several "olde worlde" UK style pubs, including The Cock and Bull and Irish Murphy's. In the city centre there are pubs on many of the street intersections.

Sleep
There are many motels, hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments offering accommodation in the area.

Go next
The historic town of George Town and Low Head lighthouse are a one-hour drive to the north along the Tamar River.


 * Perth and Longford are historic towns 20 km south via the freeway
 * Devonport and Deloraine can make a scenic round trip, following the west Tamar, along the northern coast, and before looping south.
 * St Helens is a coastal town on the Eastern Coast.
 * Scottsdale lavender farm
 * George Town is an historic settlement north on the eastern Tamar.
 * Ben Lomond National Park is a skiing/hiking area in northeast Tasmania.