Launceston Travel Guide

  Cataract Gorge
by Josilver
 
  • Cataract Gorge
      Cataract Gorge
    by Josilver
  • Chapel - Entally House
      Chapel - Entally House
    by al2401
  • Endangered green and gold frog
      Endangered green and gold frog
    by iandsmith
  •   Launceston
    by Sambawalk
  • York Mansions
      York Mansions
    by iandsmith
 

Pro

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  Quiet Little Town; Gateway to plenty of beautiful places 


Con

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  It's always a bit colder than the rest of Australia 


In a nutshell

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  The Rival City to Hobart 

 

Explore Launceston

Things to Do  

Art Gallery

Art Gallery, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  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... 

1842, nee Johnstone and Wilmot

1842, nee Johnstone and Wilmot, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  "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... 

Cataract Gorge - the first time

Cataract Gorge - the first time, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  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... 

What's in a name

What's in a name, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  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. 

Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  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... 

Macquarie House - history for the taking

Macquarie House - history for the taking, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  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... 

Customs House

Customs House, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  The fine Custom House, with its elegant portico and Corinthian columns, reminds one of Launceston's role in the mining boom of the 1880s. Ore from the rich tin mine (harking back to Cornwall origins) at Mt Bischoff was processed in the town, plus, Launceston supplied the... 

Cataract Gorge revisited

Cataract Gorge revisited, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  Cataract Gorge Reserve, or ""The Gorge"" as the locals call it, is a unique natural formation within a two-minute drive of central Launceston, albeit over a steep hill.In 15 minutes you can walk from the city centre along the banks of the Tamar River into Cataract Gorge.From... 

Princes Square

Princes Square, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  Set aside as a park in 1826 but not developed as a park until the late 1850s. It features lots of trees dating back to the 1800s, some planted by members of the Royal family, yet still retains its original layout.Prince's Square was originally a brickfield and a venue of... 

Hotels  

Hotel Tasmania

 1 Review and 12 Opinions  Booked over the internet and everything confirmed by email. When arrived I was shown to a massive... 

Waratah On York Launceston

 1 Review and 48 Opinions  My Partner and I stayed for one night at Waratah On York, we both wish it was more. This B&B offers... 

Transportation  

Devils Playground Ecotours

Devils Playground Ecotours, Launceston

 xuessium Says:  Great day-trippers from Launceston. Suitable for students and folks on a budget. Get to mingle with the mainly young (hostelite) crowd and get to go places cheaper.My group took 1 day-trip with them: The Waterfalls, Caves & Wildlife day tour for A$80 (circa 2001). Please see... 

Local Customs  

National Penny Farthing Championship

National Penny Farthing Championship, Launceston

 ASTIEL Says:  3rd weekend in February The Evandale Village Fair is held annually and features a full program of Penny Farthing racing including the National Penny Farthing Championship. The streets of the village come alive with stalls and street entertainers, creating the ambience of a... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Narawntapu (2)

Narawntapu (2), Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  This is what the National Parks people have to say about the place: "Narawntapu National Park (formerly known as Asbestos Range National Park) is a place of peace for people and wildlife alike. It stretches from the low coastal ranges to the long Bass Strait beaches, and... 

Narawntapu National Park (1)

Narawntapu National Park (1), Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  I decided to do the Springlawn Nature Walk and thus tick my 19th box on the excellent “60 Great Short Walks” brochure. The walk goes to a bird hide deep in a swamp. It states that it “meanders through a paper bark swamp forest along a raised boardwalk”. Turns out the total... 

Favorites  

Some places to stay

Some places to stay, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  Situated in the heart of Launceston, Apartments At York Mansions is an imposing National Trust classified, 1840's Georgian Mansion with a large private garden dominated by an impressive English Oak of such age and branching grandeur, that it too, has been classified by the... 

Historic architecture

Historic architecture, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  I took many shots (nothing new there) of several of the historic buildings in Launceston but have had much difficulty tracking down their provenance.However, many of Launceston's finest are listed in a brochure that can be obtained for free from the Tourist Information... 

You can bank on it

You can bank on it, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  Located at 81 Cimitiere Street, Launceston is a heritage listed building that had been vacant for two years. It was founded back in 1883 as the Baptist Tabernacle church and was unwanted. These days, spruced up by the world's largest rural bank, it shines its light once... 

Liffey Falls

Liffey Falls, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  According to the promotional blurb, it is a matter of considerable argument among Tasmanians as to which is the prettiest waterfall in their State - Russell or Liffey Falls? Liffey Falls State Reserve is set within cool temperate rainforest on the slopes of the Great Western... 

Town Hall, it's a stunner

Town Hall, it's a stunner, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  Most of the following comes from the Council's excellent site:"The Council commissioned architect Mr Peter Mills to design the Victorian Italianate-styled Town Hall in 1864. It cost $6,000 to build.Launceston's Town Hall is one of few mid-Victorian buildings still used for... 

The Albert Hall

The Albert Hall, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  This impressive edifice is situated on the corner of Tamar and Cimitiere Streets and is owned by Council and operated by the Hotel Grand Chancellor. The Great Hall, Tamar Valley and John Duncan rooms are hired for a vast array of events, from school balls, university... 

John Hart Conservatory

John Hart Conservatory, Launceston

 iandsmith Says:  Tucked away in the middle of the City Park (originally called the People's Park) in Launcestion is an attractive building that, for me, deserves more publicity, particularly if you're visiting in spring.The reason is that inside is a glorious array of orchids in a multitude... 

 
Explore Deeper into Launceston

The Place

Plan a Launceston vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Launceston locals

Experience Launceston
  •   136 Tips and Reviews
  •  300 Photos
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Map of Launceston
 

The People

41 Members Live Here
 
Advice from the Locals
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 Launceston, Tasmania - Launceston is Tasmania's 2nd largest city, situated in the north, on the Tamar River. It has the charm of living in the country, and some of the benefits of living in the city, although it's not very... 

41 members live in Launceston

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi all, Good day! I'm wondering what's there to do with 2 hours left of daylight in Launceston in the late afternoon? If... 

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A: The City Park is very nice to have a stroll, so I would go there, it is very pretty. There is also the Design Centre of Tasmania closeby which is all about art and crafts... 

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Top Launceston Writers

1

LAUNCESTON

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 Situated in the Tamar Valley, its only a short 45 minute flight from Melbourne. A big attraction here, is Cataract Gorge. Its a short walk from the city centre. Theres a large suspension bridge over... 

2

IMPREXXION: TASMANIA-LAUNCESTON

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 ..."Love is a splendour thing.....and I fell in love, heads over heels with this place instantly since I first stepped onto this heaven of an island in 2000. I have been back since, almost every year;... 

3

Launceston

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 Launceston is located on the Tamar River where the North and South Esk Rivers converge. It is Tasmania's second largest population centre, and is an attractive city due to its many parks and... 

4

A weekend in Launie!

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 On our weeklong trip to Launceston, we did enjoy a couple days in "Launie". The Cataract Gorge, Tamar Valley, and Cradle Mountain are all available for day trips. 

5

Launceston

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 Launceston is Tasmania's second oldest and second largest city, situated on the Tamar river, to the North East, about 1 hour from Devonport. It is a pretty place, with much of the city shops in a...... 

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