It is surrounded by elegant 19th century buildings and oak-lined parks. Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city. It is located in a picturesque spot on the northeast of the island at the head of the Tamar River, a two-hour drive from Hobart. History and architecture buffs will love this place. Beautifully restored colonial buildings, manicured public squares and well-maintained parks bring an atmosphere of English charm to central Launceston. Tourists can explore the city’s fascinating history on one of the popular heritage trails.
Nature is another big draw. Just a 15-minute riverside stroll from the city center is the beautiful Cataract Gorge with its waterfalls, walking trails and gardens. Launceston is also known for its abundance of high-quality produce from the nearby Tamar Valley. In the surrounding countryside, grand old mansions and estates, some of which are World Heritage Sites, bear witness to Launceston’s early prosperity and are fine locations for day trips.
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1 Cataract Gorge
Cataract Gorge is sculpted by the South Esk River and is just a 15-minute walk from central Launceston. On both sides of the steep gorge, hiking trails dating from the 1890s wind along the cliff, offering panoramic views of the river far below. To reach the top, visitors can hop aboard the world’s longest single-span chairlift. Kings Bridge also offers beautiful views. South of the river is a cafe and sparkling swimming pool, while on the north side, at Cliff Grounds, visitors can interact with colorful peacocks and friendly wallabies in the fern Victorian garden. For a glimpse of the steep cliffs and waterfalls from the water, hop aboard a river cruise.
Official site: https://www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au/
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Launceston
2 Heritage Walks
Launceston is known for its lovingly restored colonial and Victorian buildings. Tourists can explore the city’s architectural gems on one of three self-guided heritage walks. TheMerchants Machinery Trail explores Launceston’s milling and mining history and visits buildings such as the magnificent neoclassicalCustoms House of 1885, a reflection of the city’s 19th century wealth, theBatman-Fawkner Inn (c 1820 ), and the red-brick post office with its rather mismatched tower. TheRags to Riches Trail explores the city’s beautiful commercial buildings and churches. The second oldest synagogue in Australia dates from 1844 and St. John’s Anglican Church from 1824 are on this route. The Government to Gorge Trail passes through the administrative center of the city, past the imposing neoclassical City Hall from 1864 with its bell tower to the beautiful Cataract Gorge. Sightseers can also learn about the historic sites and colorful characters who founded the city on the excellent hour-long guided Launceston Historic Walk.
3 City Park
City Park, dotted with ancient elms and oaks on the eastern edge of Launceston, is home to a collection of popular tourist attractions and pleasant picnic spots. Tourists can visit the Japanese macaques in a small space, admire the plants in the conservatory and browse the exhibitions in the City Park Radio Museum, housed in a beautiful old patrician house. Walkways wind around the park past the main attractions – including a duck pond and the elegant Jubilee Fountain. Children will enjoy the playground and the little train, which often roams the park.
Also here,Albert Hall was built for the Tasmanian International Exhibition of 1891. It is now a cultural centre, used for concerts and exhibitions . On the edge of the park, the Design Center of Tasmania showcases a collection of Tasmanian woodwork made mainly from sassafras, huon pine and myrtle. Locals and visitors come here to admire the exhibitions and buy unique gifts.
Opening hours:
- Macaque Monkey Enclosure: 8: 00-16: 00 (april-sept.), 8: 00-20: 30 (oktober-maart)
- John Hart Conservatory: Weekdays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Weekend 9:00-20:30 (April-Sept.), 9:00-17:30 (October-March)
Open access
Location: Cimitiere and Tamar Streets, Launceston
4 Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, in two different locations, is a great place to brush up on some local history and admire Australian and international art. Housed in an impressive 19th century listed building, the Wellington Street art gallery has ten different galleries showcasing Tasmanian art, from colonial times to the present, historic photographs, international paintings and decorative arts. The gallery also offers a family art space. The main attraction is a beautiful Chinese temple decorated with gold leaf, housing ceremonial items from mining towns in northeastern Tasmania.
The museum, in Inverness Street, is housed in a railway workshop dating from the 1870s. The collections trace Tasmania’s early convict and colonial periods and natural history. Kids will love the planetarium and interactive science shows. After viewing the museum exhibits, visitors can enjoy lunch or coffee in the excellent little cafes at each location.
Opening hours: Open daily from 10am to 4pm, closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day
Toelating: Gratis
Adres: Kunstgalerie in Royal Park – 2 Wellington Street; Museum in Inveresk – 2 Invermay Rd
Official site: https://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/qvmag/
5 Tamar Island Wetlands
Tamar Island Wetlands is a 10-minute drive from central Launceston and is a paradise for nature lovers – especially bird watchers. The first stop should be the interpretation center where visitors can learn about the history of the Tamar River, its wetland ecosystems, and the flora and fauna of its inhabitants. After viewing the displays, stroll along the boardwalks and admire the beautiful views of the Tamar River with its tranquil lagoons. Black swans, great egrets, ducks, swallows and pelicans are often seen, as are frogs and snakes (in summer). Pademelons (small marsupials) often fall from the bordering grasslands. Photographers have a chance to take great photos here and serious bird watchers should bring their binoculars for a close-up view.
Entrance: free, donation suggested
Adres: West Tamar Highway, Riverside, Launceston
Official site: https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=4118
6 National Automobile Museum of Tasmania
Car and motorcycle enthusiasts can travel down memory lane at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania. OppositeCity Park, the museum displays an impressive collection of well-restored cars and motorcycles with four themed exhibitions each year such as Jaguar, British Sporting Heritage, Rolls Royce and Aussie icons. Rotating exhibitions ensure there is always something new to see in this popular museum.
Opening hours: Open daily, summer 9am-5pm, winter 10am-4pm, closed Christmas Day
Location: Corner of Willis and Cimitiere Streets, Launceston
Official site: https://www.namt.com.au/
7 Prince’s Square
The 19th-century Prince’s Square is surrounded by elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings and is one of Launceston’s most beautiful public spaces. It was once a clay pit for building bricks and later became a stopping place and gathering place. From the mid-19th century the park was gradually developed and is now dotted with beautiful old trees, some of which are said to have been planted by members of the royal family. The eclecticSt John’s Anglican Church, built in 1824, is a striking landmark along the square, and the elaborate fountain came from the 1855 exhibition in Paris. Visitors can stroll through the park on the network of trails and picnic in the shade of the ancient oak trees.
Location: St John, Elizabeth, Charles and Frederick Streets
8 Royal Park
West of central Launceston, at the point where the North and South Esk meet to form the Tamar River, Royal Park is another popular green space in the city. The park is home to the Queen Victoria Museum as well as the Cenotaph of Launceston. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalk that cuts across the river to the Cataract Gorge Reserve or hop aboard a river cruise from the nearby dock. A short walk from here, Ritchie’s Mill is home to a popular fine dining restaurant showcasing the region’s fresh produce.
Adres: 78 Paterson St, Launceston
9 Hollybank Treetops Adventure
At Hollybank Treetops, about a 15-minute drive north-east of central Launceston, thrill seekers can venture through the forest climbing paradise between “Cloud Stations” slide during a three-hour zipline adventure. Those afraid of heights can opt for the two-hour visitSegway tour, which meanders along bush tracks through old and new-growth eucalyptus forests. Wet weather gear is available for foggy or rainy days, and twilight zip line tours are also offered.
Opening hours: Open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed on Christmas Day
Admission: $120 for zip-line tour, $100 for Segway tour
Adres: 66 Hollybank Rd, Underwood
Official site: https://www.treetopsadventure.com.au/
10 The Old Umbrella Shop
The Old Umbrella Shop, a handsome building dating from 1860, has remained virtually unchanged since the late 19th century. It is now owned by the National Trust and contains an umbrella museum and souvenir shop. Friendly local volunteers provide a wealth of information about the history of the store and Launceston’s tourist attractions.
Adres: 60 George St, Launceston
Day trips from Launceston
Brickendon House en Woolmers Estate
Brickendon House and the adjacent Woolmer’s Estate, about 18km southwest of Launceston, are two of the oldest convict-built farms in Tasmania and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. William Archer, Tasmania’s first born architect, settled in Brickendon with his family in 1824, and his descendants still operate the farm. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful gardens dotted with ancient mulberry trees and fragrant flowers, explore some of the battle-built farm structures, and learn about the history of this prominent Tasmanian clan. The nearby Woolmer’s estate was settled by Thomas Archer in 1817. When in bloom, the National Rose Garden here is beautiful. Both properties have a combination of cozy farmhouses available for overnight stays.
Brickendon House
- Hours: Open Tues-Sun 9:30am-5pm (Oct-mid-May), 9:30am-4pm (mid-May-Sept), closed Christmas Day; animal feeding starts at 10:15 am
- Admission: Adults $12.50, Child $5, Concession $11.50, Family $38
- Adres: Wellington Wellington, Longford
- https://brickendon.com.au/
Woolmers Estate
- hours: Open daily from 11am to 3pm, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
- Admission: Guided tour – adult $20, child $7, family $45
- Location: Woolmer’s Lane, Longford
- https://www.woolmers.com.au/
Entally House
Entally House is a 15-minute drive from Launceston and is one of the National Trust’s oldest mansions. It was built around 1820 by Thomas Reibey, whose mother was transported to New South Wales as a convict at the age of 13 and eventually became a successful businesswoman in Sydney. Thomas Reibey’s son became Prime Minister of Tasmania in 1866. Guests can tour the beautiful grounds and gardens and elegant house, with its Regency interior and valuable silver collection. The grounds also include a coach house, stables, chapel, farmyard and Australia’s oldest conservatory. After a tour, visitors can enjoy the highly prized Devonshire tea served here.
Opening hours: open daily from 10am-4pm; closed June 1 – August 31, Christmas Day, Boxing Day (December 26), New Year’s Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day
Admission: Adults $10, retirees or students $8, family $25
Adres: 782 Meander Valley Rd, Hadspen
Official site: https://entally.com.au/
Ben Lomond National Park
Less than a two-hour drive east of Launceston, Ben Lomond National Park attracts large numbers of hikers and nature lovers and is the most popular winter sports area in Tasmania. A steep road with many bends leads to the summit plateau with its mountain huts. During the winter sports season, an alpine village operates on the slopes of 1572 mLegges Tor, Tasmania’s second highest mountain. Six lifts glide over the slopes for skiing. Notable features of Ben Lomond National Park are the dolerite columns, carved by ice age glaciers and dissected by frost. In spring and summer there are wild flowers in the heath.
Official site: https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=4551
Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre
The Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre, formerly the Grubb Shaft Museum, chronicles the history of the Tamar Valley and its mining heritage. One of the most popular exhibits is the moving Mine Rescue Exhibition, which recalls the heroic rescue of miners trapped for two weeks in the Beaconsfield mine, 950 m below ground level, during a rockfall in 2006. The holographic mining experience transports visitors to the underground world of tunnels and caves. The museum is also packed with kid-friendly exhibits. Kids can push buttons and pull levers, pan for gold, play an old pedal organ and clamber through tunnels.
Opening hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM, closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day
Admission: Adult $12, Child $4, Concession $10, Family $30
Location: West Street, Beaconsfield
Official site: https://www.beaconsfieldheritage.com.au/
Franklin House
About 8km south of central Launceston, Franklin House is a grand Georgian house built by convicts in 1838 for wealthy businessman Britton Jones. After changing hands several times, the house spent decades as a private school for boys before the National Trust acquired the property. Today, guests can enjoy the beautifully restored home with its lavish use of Australian red cedar, antique musical instruments and period furnishings. After a tour, take a relaxing walk through the well-maintained gardens and visit the tea room for a snack.
hours: Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm (April-Sept); Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun afternoon-4pm (October-March); closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day & good friday
Admission: Adults $10, concession $8, children under 18 free
Adres: 413 Hobart Rd, Youngtown
Official site: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/tas/FranklinHouse
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