Peppers Seaport Hotel

NOTLEY FERN GORGE STATE RESERVE

by balhannah

At Legana not far from Launceston is the turnoff to this Gorge. Turn off the West Tamar Highway onto the C732. A tall canopy of Eucalypts make a cover for a rainforest. Here, you will find a burnt out large tree which is known as Brady's tree, he was a Bushranger, who in the 1820's used this forest as hideout with his gang. A 1.5km track takes you to the tree and past mosses, tree ferns and pure creeks.

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

by xuessium

The QVMAG was established in 1895 and claims to be the largest institution of its kind in Australia located outside a capital city.

I missed out a visit to the Museum in 2001 as my travelling mates then, were not museum fans.

At the time of my visit (Dec 08), the Royal Park site, which also houses the Planetarium, is closed as the Museum prepares to move to its new Inveresk site.

The current Inveresk site does not house a full collection, and is unfortunately, rather more patchwork-like as the museum is being moved portion by portion. Then said, I enjoyed the limited but interesting exhibits....ranging from a science corner for kids, a concise exhibit on Australian dinosaurs to a compact collection of Tasmanian art.

The most interesting exhibits were the preserved Blacksmith Shops, which once housed the largest integrated engineering workshops in the State supporting a variety of industries aside from the once important railway system. The workshops have been preserved as if time has suddenly stopped. Many of the tools and equipment were strewn about as if the owners will be returning soon after a coffee break. (There are canned sounds echoing through the workshop of workers hard at work, and despite a strong sun outside, it is amusingly eerie to be standing in the middle of a large workshop alone, listening to the sounds of people who are not there) Take your time weaving your way through from stop to stop.

Entry to the museum is free.

10 am to 5 pm daily
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Launceston, Tasmania

by AphY

"Rediscovering Launceston"

Launceston used to be one of our favourite short getaway destinations, but then we had children, and other places took over. During the school holidays this year, we decided to spend 5 days in Launceston. We went without any real plans, and it was amazing! We had forgotten how great this pretty city in Northern tasmania was! And we had forgotten just how much there was to do, in and around the city!

One of the best things about Launceston, is that it really seems to have something for everyone, and there are countless attractions just a short drive from the city centre.

My top 10 for Launceston:
1. Picnic lunch at City Park.
2. Playpus House at Beauty Point
3. Trowunna Wildlife park at Mole Creek
4. Cataract Gorge Reserve
5. The Wine Trail, from Launceston to Beauty Point
6. Discovering the little shops in the many alleys and sidestreets
7. GoKarts!
8. The Honey Farm at Chudleigh
9. Dining out at one of the many fantastic restaurants
10. Ashgrove Cheese Farm at Elizabeth Town.