Launceston Things to Do

In all the items here on VT in the list of things to do, nobody really commented on the downtown pedestrian shopping streets. Even if you don't need to go shopping, its a good idea to stretch the legs on these easy streets and get a feel for the town.

If you research the town, you may learn that there are some ghost tours. Now someone obviously must have had a sense of humor because they put these 'ghosts' right into the heart of downtown.

If you come across these large 'pillows' in the downtown mall, look closely at the underside and you will see they have been shaped with some faces. Now even take it one step further - give one of them a kick and there is a voice activation giving some funny one liners.

LAUNCESTON
When arriving in Launceston ..first thing to do is visit the Tourist information Centre where I found friendly advice as to what to see and do..There are road maps of the city and outlying areas clearly showing all major attractions and giving you all the information that you will need..I booked my tour of the BOAG Brewery here..

This Victorianate building opened in 1891 as Launceston's Museum and Art Gallery. It bears the title "Museum" across the main entrance still but these days is much more art gallery, having been designated as such in September 2011.
At the same time it re-installed the popular Guan-di Temple which holds stuff from many temples in north east Tasmania that were located in mining towns in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The temple was actually at Weldborough but when it closed in 1934, the then curator, Yu Wen Zhan donated the contents to QVMAG.
The staff talk up local artist Bea Maddock's work that has a dedicated section to it but I have to say the works weren't to my taste; personally I'd look elsewhere in the wonderfully spacious gallery for satisfaction.
There's a special place for kids so don't be frightened to take them in there.

"1842" occupies one of Launceston's oldest commercial buildings on the corner of St John and Cimitiere Streets (just across from the Tourist Information Centre) in the CBD.
The retail showroom is in the original Counting House of Johnstone and Wilmot's wholesale grocery business, while the furniture workshop and exhibition space is in the unusual warehouse building, considered and certainly looking architecturally unique in Australia.
From the inner-city showroom they also retail hand-made furniture and wood products for other Northern Tasmanian makers and art and glassware by Tasmania's finest artists are on show.
The artisans of "1842" make fine, hand-crafted studio furniture, mainly from the best Tasmanian timbers such as Huon pine, Myrtle, Blackwood and Sassafras.

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If you're in Launceston then you will already have heard of Cataract Gorge. If you have children aboard then this is the place for you. Lots of room to run around in, get rid of that excess energy.
There is the small gorge itself and the stream that runs through the park has a bridge and a chair lift that go across it.
No coincidence that the chairlift stops at the tea house, where you can partake, as I did, in a cuppa (highly recommended). This is what their blurb says:
"'In 1972, a magnificent chairlift was built spanning the huge natural basin filled by the surging waters of the South Esk River. The chairlift is unique as it contains in its length, the longest single chairlift span in the world, some 308 metres and the views gained from the ride across are completely breathtaking. The chairlift covers some 457 metres. The central span of 308 metres is believed to be the longest single chairlift span in the world. Seating is designed for complete safety and includes a safety bar which can be operated by either the passenger or attendant. The slow speed of the chairlift enables passengers to appreciate fully and photograph the spectacular views of this ancient rock gorge..." Now, I should add here that you shouldn't get chairlifts confused with cable cars because, personally, I've been on a much longer cable car ride in Spain at Fuente De.
The landscaped gardens at Cataract feature exotic species interspersed with native flora and there are several pleasant walks to be had either upstream or around the grassy areas.
There are other small side attractions as well, and one I found interesting was this tree, planted in honour of the first triplets born in the area. You won't find that in many parks in the world! No, it's a Tassie kind of thing.
(Picture of the tree is in my Tasmania pages - I've lost the original)

Batman Faulkner Inn - This was originally known as the Cornwall Hotel and it was here that John Batman and his friends met and decided to cross Bass Strait and establish the new colony which would eventually become Melbourne.

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This was quite the prettiest sight I saw in Launceston but it would appear, as with many churches across the world, that there is a struggle to maintain interest as indicated by the following:
Holy Trinity has represented the more traditional Anglo-Catholic style of the Anglican Church within Launceston. As such Holy Trinity has maintained a via media approach to worship within the Anglican Church tradition, worshipping God through proclaiming the gospel and administering the means of Grace through our liturgical, missional , doctoral and pastoral ministry.
Holy Trinity is a city church, that seeks to address the spiritual needs of the CBD. Holy Trinity's outreach transcends its formal parish boundary and the congregation is drawn by its pastoral care as well as family connections. Its Anglo-Catholic nature is embodied in its worship style, music and celebration of the sacraments. The provision of weekday Eucharists and quiet times of prayer are also a feature of Holy Trinity.
The Parish is keen not to be seen as a Museum, but as an evolving expression of Anglo-Catholic worship.
Sadly, I suspect its historical roots may, in time, be of more interest to the general public. Its origins date back to 1838.

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Macquarie House, which was built in the Launceston in the Civic Square in1830, is an historic Georgian building which housed the chandler who supplied the Batman and Fawkner expeditions that ultimately established Melbourne in Victoria.
These days its future is in the balance.