'''Launceston''' is the second-largest city in Tasmania and is situated in the north of the state on the Tamar River. The city was first settled in 1805 and currently has a population of around 70,000.

Get in

By plane

Launceston is approximately 50 minutes from Melbourne on the mainland. Daily flights fly from Launceston to Melbourne with many airlines flying this route. These airlines include Virgin Blue, Qantas Link, Jetstar and Tiger Airways. Direct flights to Sydney are available daily and direct flights to Brisbane are available on selected days.

By car

Launceston is a hub of the highway system in Nortern Tasmania. From Hobart, Devonport, or Burnie just stay on Highway 1, and make sure you are heading the right way.

Get around

The best way to get around Launceston is by car. Taxis are available, may add up to be a bit expensive, and try to get a transfer when you are moving from the airport to your hotel. Car rentals are plenty, from Budget, Europcar, and the rates are great. There is also a Metro bus service which goes all through the town.

See

  • '''Launceston City Park'''
  • '''Historic houses''' and buildings including Macquarie House, Franklin House, Entally House, Clarendon House and the 'Old Umbrella Shop'.
  • '''Tamar Valley''' - wine growing area
  • '''National Motor Museum'''
  • Cataract Gorge

    Cataract Gorge [http://www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au/] is only a kilometre from the centre of Launceston. There is paid parking at the entrance to the park, either all day or by the hour.

  • There are many '''walking tracks''' which skirt the side of the gorge, and cross it at a suspension bridge and a low level bridge.
  • You can '''swim''' in the gorge. The water can be quite cold, and the there is a current, but with care you should be fine. There are constructed entrances to the water, and access is free. There is also a swimming pool, and access to that is also free.
  • You can see the ''gardens'' and '''pagolas''', and the peacocks walking around.
  • You can play on the '''playgrounds'''.
  • You can take a '''chairlift''' across the gorge, and walk back, or vice-versa. Although going both ways on the chairlift is about the same price as a one way ticket.
  • There is a '''cafe''' on both sides of the gorge, both serving ice-creams, coffee, snacks etc.
  • Do

  • '''Cruise the Tamar River'''
  • Tour the surrounding '''wineries''' of the Tamar Valley
  • '''Boag's brewery''', 39 Williams St, '+61 3' 63326300, [http://www.boags.com.au]). Tours leave weekdays (from 9AM; closed on public holidays) from the Boag's Centre for Beer Lovers located in the Tamar Hotel in the heart of Launceston. Bookings and fully enclosed footwear are essential.
  • Launceston Ghost Tour. tarts 8:30pm nightly at the Royal Oak. 24/person or $20 with a voucher from the local hotels. Fun night walking around one of Australia's oldest cities. Fascinating for history buffs. Bookings required.

    Buy

  • Tasmanian Wool Products: Waverley Woolen Mills, The Sheep's Back (George St)
  • The Tasmanian Devil as soft toys, hand-puppets etc
  • Eat

    Budget

  • '''Morty's Food Hall'''.
  • '''Pasta Resistance (Charles Street)'''.
  • '''Aromas'''.
  • '''Fish and Chips''' at the end of the Wharf, past the end of the flood barrier when walking from town. Possibly the best fish and chips you'll ever have. Prices depending on fish and season.
  • Moderate

  • '''Star of Siam'''.
  • '''La Calabrisella'''.
  • '''La Cantina'''.
  • '''The Prickly Cactus'''.
  • '''Franco's'''.
  • '''Romanelli's 65-67 Cimitiere Street'''
  • '''Torros'''.
  • '''The Metz'''.
  • '''The Star Bar'''.
  • '''Me Wah'''.
  • Splurge

  • '''Fee and Me'''. International award winner.
  • '''Stillwater''',
  • '''The Gorge Restaurant'''.
  • '''Quigley's'''.
  • '''Dockside'''.
  • Drink

    Launceston has several "olde worlde" UK style pubs, including '''The Cock and Bull''' and '''Irish Murphy's'''. In the city centre there are pubs on many of the street intersections.

    Sleep

    There are many motels, hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments offering accommodation in the area.

  • The Old Bakery Inn. orner of York & Margaret Streets. 61 3 6331 7900. 2/5/2009. 3/5/2009. 125/night. 100+ Year old converted bakery combined with the neighboring townhouses from the same era. Rooms are simple but clean and well looked after. Plenty of parking on site.

    Get out

    Launceston provides a base to explore the northern part of Tasmania.

    The historic town of George Town (Tasmania) and Low Head lighthouse are a one hour drive to the north along the Tamar River.

  • Stanley
  • Devonport and Deloraine can make a scenic round trip, following the west Tamar, along the northern coast, and before looping south.
  • St Helens is a coastal town on the Eastern Coast.
  • Scottsdale lavender farm
  • George Town is an historic settlement north on the eastern Tamar.