Tasmania For Everyone: Launceston

Launceston

A provincial city nestled in pleasant hilly countryside, Launceston is the largest centre of population in Northern Tasmania and the second largest city in the island state after Hobart. Launceston is easy to explore, from its elegant streetscapes to century-old parks, which sit beside revitalised areas such as Launceston Seaport, with its waterfront eateries. It is the ideal base from which to explore northern Tasmania.

Launceston has many fine Georgian buildings from the colonial era, however it is its parks and private gardens, which are ranked among the best in Australia, for which Launceston is best known. 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?

Launceston is 198km north of Hobart via Midland Highway. The Midland, Bass, Tasman, East and West Tamer Highways converge on Launceston.

Visitor Information Centre

Things To See And Do

Markets

THE APRON DESIGN MARKET

28 Homepoint Rd, Seaport, Launceston,

Trading: Friday & Saturday 4 times per year. – Friday 4pm – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm Type: General. Phone: 0408 303 126

A quarterly market held at seaport launceston showcasing local designers & producers. Attracts local designers/producers displaying their work including, accessories, homewares, jewellery, lighting, food, fashion, furniture, flowers and lots more.

LAUNCESTON ESK MARKET

Forster St, Invermay Trading: Every Sunday – 9am – 2pm Type: General Phone: (03) 6331 6044

ESK & FARMERS MARKET LAUNCESTON Launceston Showgrounds, Forster Street, Launceston Trading: Every Saturday – 9am – 2pm

Type: Farmers, Produce. Phone: (03) 6331 6044

HARVEST LAUNCESTON Cimitiere St car park in Launceston Trading: Every Saturday – 8-30am till 12-30pm

Type: Farmers, Produce. Phone: 0417 352 780Type: General. Phone: (03) 6425 2957

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.

Annual Events

Tasmania Heritage Festival (every May) Agfest Field Days (every May) North East Rivers Festival (every October)

Launceston Cycle Trails

These trails are online or to download. They include iformation and maps of five popular cycling trails in and around the city of Launceston.

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery focuses on the history, culture and character of the city of Launceston. The museum has a planetarium.
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 Museum

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.

Surrounding Area

Tamar Valley Winery Tours

Tamar Valley Winery Tours specialise in private tours that represent excellent value for money. A family owned and operated business, they have extensive experience through consistently providing a quality taxi and touring service since 2000. They love the Tamar Valley Wineries as they produce some very classy wines in superb panoramic locations and. The owners, Terry and Gillian, have shared the passion and the story that is part of each vineyard with hundreds of visitors from interstate and overseas, not to mention the pleasure of showcasing beautiful and unique Tasmanian scenery in and around the Tamar Valley.

Tamar Island Wetlands

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.

Cataract Gorge

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.

Hillwood Berry Farm

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.

Hollybank Treetops Adventures

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.

Pipers Brook Wine Region

With its red basalt soil and a cool climate moderated by the proximity of Bass Strait, this small but significant boutique wine region was established in 1974. With a climate close to that of Champagne in France, it is known simply as ‘Sparkling Tasmania’. Many of Tasmania’s premium sparkling wines originate here. It is particularly suited to the aromatic white varieties.