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Launceston, Tas



The Quadrant, Launceston


City Park


Cataract Gorge


Penny Royal World


National Automobile Museum of Tasmania


Trevallyn Dam


Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve Interpretation Centre


Hollybank Treetops Adventure

A small, rather sleepy provincial city nestled in pleasant hilly countryside, Launceston is the largest centre of population in Northern Tasmania (106,000) and the second largest city in the island state after Hobart. Conveniently located some 64 km from the northern coast on the junction of the North Esk, South Esk and Tamar Rivers, Launceston has proved itself to be an excellent base for tourists who wish to explore the rich and scenically attractive coastal plain, the Tamar Valley to the north and the mountains and lakeland areas in the island's central plateau.

Where is it?: Tasmania: Tamar Valley. Launceston is 198km north of Hobart via Midland Highway. The Midland, Bass, Tasman, East and West Tamer Highways converge on Launceston.

Things to see and do:

  • North Esk, South Esk and Tamar Rivers
  • Cataract Gorge is a few minutes walk from the city centre. Here the South Esk River plunges through Cararact Gorge, a canyon which becomes both spectacular and noisy after heavy rain. The gorge has walks, swimming pools, a suspension foot bridge and river cruises.
  • Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery focuses on the history, culture and character of the city of Launceston. The museum has a planetarium.
  • Tasmania Zoo has the largest collection of native and exotic animals on display in Tasmania.
  • Penny Royal World and Gunpowder Mill is a recreation of an old village. Set in an old quarry, The Penny Royal Gunpowder Mills provide the only complete set of working gunpowder mills in the world. Faithfully built, they depict colonial mills of the early 19th century. There are windmills, water mills, gunpowder mills and model boats.
  • National Automobile Museum of Tasmania features motor vehicles owned by local collectors and motoring memorabilia. Many of the vehicles on display are rotated regularly.
  • Launceston Tramway Musuem preserves the heritage of the Launceston Municipal Tramways, which was responsible for operating the city's tram fleet between 1911 and 1952.

Lookouts: Brady's Lookout, near Rosevears, is a wonderful place to appreciate the diverse beauty of the Tamar Valley. Signs tell the story of bushranger Mathew Brady and why this spectacular location is named after him.

Events:

Surrounding area:

  • Trevallyn Dam and Hydro-electric Power Station (3 km north west)
  • Launceston is the gateway to the Tamar Valley region to the north.
  • Tamar Island Wetlands is an important habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and fish. It is 10 minutes drive north of Launceston.
  • Cruises on the Tamar River
  • At Hollybank Treetops Adventure, visitors fly or glide across the treetops in an award winning and unique forest experience, gaining a bird's-eye view of Tasmania's beautiful forests. The adventure lasts up to three hours and is unlike any other Australian nature experience.
  • Hillwood Berry Farm is an iconic, family run farm in the heart of the scenic Tamar Valley. Here, visitors can experience the sweeter side of farming with freshly picked or Pick Your Own Strawberries, Raspberries and Currants.

About Launceston

Launceston is one of the oldest settlements in Australia, pre-dating all the capital cities of mainland Australia except Sydney. The establishment of a British settlement on the Tamar River took place in 1804 when Lieutenant-Colonel William Paterson took formal possession of the land on 11th November 1804, naming the settlement at the mouth of the river Georgetown. After a brief sojourn on the east bank of the Tamar River at York Town, the majority of the settlers moved in 1806 to Launceston.
From 1811, the government officially recognised Georgetown as the settlement though the locals had a different idea as to where it should be and argued that it should be Launceston. In 1824, the settlers finally had their way when Launceston, which had been named for the Cornish birthplace of Governor King, was officially proclaimed the main centre of the north.
The settlement grew rapidly, agriculture flourished and Launceston became an import base for whalers operating in the Southern Ocean. In the 1970s rich strikes of gold and tin were made in the Tasmanian mountains and Launceston became the chief service town for the mines. Launceston was proclaimed a city in 1888. In more recent years, secondary industry has become important in the local economy with the establishment of heavy engineering and has become one of Australia's busiest river ports.
Though it has many fine Georgian buildings from the colonial era, the city's architecture is otherwise without distinction. Its parks and private gardens, however, are ranked among the best in Australia. European trees, particularly oaks and elms, and flowering shrubs flourish in the mild, moist climate.
The South Esk River cuts a deep canyon through the hills near its junction with the Tamar, known as Cataract Gorge. Its rapids are particularly spectacular after heavy rains have fallen in the central highlands. A pathway on the north side of the gorge leads to Cataract Cliff Grounds Park, where European shrubs and trees have been established with the native flora. The South Esk is crossed here by a suspension bridge which leads to a picnic area, an Olympic swimming pool and a children's wading pool. A chair lift also crosses the gorge.


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Where Is It?: Western Australia: Great Southern