Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city and is the heart of northern Tasmania. Only 2 and a half hours drive from Hobart and just over an hour from Devonport, Launceston is easily accessed by all main ports into the state. Remember also that you can combine this itinerary with our other regional guides to create an in-depth itinerary for your ideal holiday.
The Cataract Gorge Reserve is a beautiful natural wonder and unique feature of Launceston. Only a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the city, the Cataract Gorge has picturesque walks, the popular suspension bridge, a café, restaurant, and the longest single-span chairlift in world.
Highlighting the beautiful flora of Tasmania are the many parks around the city, the most notable are Princes Park and City Park. Princes Park is a stunning park landscaped with English flora and features a beautiful fountain in its centre. The Launceston City Park is rated as one of the top ten parks in Australia, featuring established gardens, children’s play area, Macaque monkey enclosure and the John Hart Conservatory. Nearby the City Park are the Design Centre, Australia’s only museum collection of contemporary Tasmanian wood design, the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania, and the Albert Hall that hosts a variety of events. The newest attraction to Launceston is Riverbend Park situated near Seaport. A must see if you are travelling with children.
The buildings around Launceston are some of the best examples of Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian architecture in Australia. The Old Umbrella Shop on George Street is one of the last surviving early twentieth century shops in Tasmania. Franklin House is a fabulous example of Georgian architecture and is open for public viewings.
Launceston hosts a range of activities including:
Boag’s Brewery Centre
Royal Automobile Museum
Queen Victoria Museum
Tailrace Centre – play areas, bbq facilities and parklands
Riverbend Park
Launceston Aquatic Centre
Tasmania Zoo
Hollybank Wilderness Adventures
Tamar River Cruises
Penny Royal Adventures
For dining, Launceston hosts many award-winning restaurants and eateries. Tasmania excels in many food specialties such as truffles, cheeses, leatherwood honey, wagyu beef, wild abalone and fresh oysters and Launceston, with its ‘close proximity to abundant landscapes and fresh farm produce, has a thriving culinary scene.
Right in the heart of Launceston is the Brisbane Street Mall main shopping district. Explore the Brisbane Street Arcade and the Quadrant mall, for hidden treasures. If you are interested in markets, head to the Launceston Harvest market for some fresh Tasmanian produce, on every Saturday from 8:30am-12:30pm in Cimitiere Street or the Esk Market every Sunday 9am-2pm at the Launceston Showgrounds. In nearby Evandale, is popular Evandale Market, open every Sunday 8am-1:30pm. Continuing past Evandale is Ben Lomond National Park where the mountain provides spectacular alpine scenery and a great opportunity for a ski in the winter months.
North of Launceston on the A7, are the Tamar Island Wetlands Walk and Grindelwald Swiss Village. Exeter Bakery is an excellent stop for a coffee and a treat, before heading into Beaconsfield, famous for the local mining and the Beaconsfield Mining and Heritage Centre.
Further north is Beauty Point with Seahorse World and Platypus House and nearby is Narawntapu National Park. North on the eastern side of the Tamar River, discover the township of Low Head, home of the Low Head Pilot Station, and historic George Town. If you are a connoisseur of wines, why not try a wine tour of the Tamar Valley and/or Piper’s Brook wine regions to visit some of Tasmania’s most prominent wineries with a local and knowledgeable guide.