A provincial city nestled in pleasant hilly countryside, Launceston is the largest centre of population in Northern Tasmania and the second largest city in the island state after Hobart. Launceston is easy to explore, from its elegant streetscapes to century-old parks, which sit beside revitalised areas such as Launceston Seaport, with its waterfront eateries. It is the ideal base from which to explore northern Tasmania.
Where is it?: Launceston is 198km north of Hobart via Midland Highway. The Midland, Bass, Tasman, East and West Tamer Highways converge on Launceston.
Launceston has many fine Georgian buildings from the colonial era, however it is its parks and private gardens, which are ranked among the best in Australia, for which Launceston is best known. European trees, particularly oaks and elms, and flowering shrubs flourish in the mild, moist climate.
The South Esk River cuts a deep canyon through the hills near its junction with the Tamar, known as Cataract Gorge. Its rapids are particularly spectacular after heavy rains have fallen in the central highlands. A pathway on the north side of the gorge leads to Cataract Cliff Grounds Park, where European shrubs and trees have been established with the native flora. The South Esk is crossed here by a suspension bridge which leads to a picnic area, an Olympic swimming pool and a children’s wading pool. A chair lift also crosses the gorge.
Lookouts: Brady’s Lookout, near Rosevears, is a wonderful place to appreciate the diverse beauty of the Tamar Valley. Signs tell the story of bushranger Mathew Brady and why this spectacular location is named after him.
Events
Tasmania Heritage Festival (every May)
Agfest Field Days (every May)
North East Rivers Festival (every October)
Markets
THE APRON DESIGN MARKET
28 Homepoint Rd, Seaport, Launceston,
Trading: Friday & Saturday 4 times per year. – Friday 4pm – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm
Type: General. Phone: 0408 303 126
A quarterly market held at seaport launceston showcasing local designers & producers. Attracts local designers/producers displaying their work including, accessories, homewares, jewellery, lighting, food, fashion, furniture, flowers and lots more.
LAUNCESTON ESK MARKET
Forster St, Invermay
Trading: Every Sunday – 9am – 2pm
Type: General Phone: (03) 6331 6044
ESK & FARMERS MARKET LAUNCESTON
Launceston Showgrounds, Forster Street, Launceston
Trading: Every Saturday – 9am – 2pm
Type: Farmers, Produce. Phone: (03) 6331 6044
HARVEST LAUNCESTON
Cimitiere St car park in Launceston
Trading: Every Saturday – 8-30am till 12-30pm
Type: Farmers, Produce. Phone: 0417 352 780
Things to see and do:
Launceston Cycle Trails: online or download information and maps of five popular cycling trails in and around the city of Launceston. Website >>
Cataract Gorge is a few minutes walk from the city centre. Here the South Esk River plunges through Cararact Gorge, a canyon which becomes both spectacular and noisy after heavy rain. The gorge has walks, swimming pools, a suspension foot bridge and river cruises. More >>
Tasmania Zoo has the largest collection of native and exotic animals on display in Tasmania.
Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery focuses on the history, culture and character of the city of Launceston. The museum has a planetarium.
National Automobile Museum of Tasmania features motor vehicles owned by local collectors and motoring memorabilia. Many of the vehicles on display are rotated regularly.
Launceston Tramway Musuem preserves the heritage of the Launceston Municipal Tramways, which was responsible for operating the city’s tram fleet between 1911 and 1952.
Princes Square: one of Launceston’s memorable public parks, Princes Square is an extraordinary place with a fascinating history. Princes Square was part of Launceston’s network of planned public places, a formal and organised public space that demonstrated European sophistication, and remains an unusually intact and original 19th century town square. It was created in the image of similar British designs, its elm trees, like its name, suggested its suitability as a site of royal celebrations. More >>
Surrounding area:
Tamar Island Wetlands is an important habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and fish. It is 10 minutes drive north of Launceston.
Hillwood Berry Farm is an iconic, family run farm in the heart of the scenic Tamar Valley. Here, visitors can experience the sweeter side of farming with freshly picked or Pick Your Own Strawberries, Raspberries and Currants.
At Hollybank Treetops Adventure, visitors fly or glide across the treetops in an award winning and unique forest experience, gaining a bird’s-eye view of Tasmania’s beautiful forests. The adventure lasts up to three hours and is unlike any other Australian nature experience.
Pipers River wine region: with its red basalt soil and a cool climate moderated by the proximity of Bass Strait, this small but significant boutique wine region was established in 1974. With a climate close to that of Champagne in France, it is known simply as �Sparkling Tasmania’. Many of Tasmania’s premium sparkling wines originate here. It is particularly suited to the aromatic white varieties.
About Launceston
Launceston is one of the oldest settlements in Australia, pre-dating all the capital cities of mainland Australia except Sydney. The establishment of a British settlement on the Tamar River took place in 1804 when Lieutenant-Colonel William Paterson took formal possession of the land on 11th November 1804, naming the settlement at the mouth of the river Georgetown. After a brief sojourn on the east bank of the Tamar River at York Town, the majority of the settlers moved in 1806 to Launceston.
From 1811, the government officially recognised Georgetown as the settlement though the locals had a different idea as to where it should be and argued that it should be Launceston. In 1824, the settlers finally had their way when Launceston, which had been named for the Cornish birthplace of Governor King, was officially proclaimed the main centre of the north.
The settlement grew rapidly, agriculture flourished and Launceston became an import base for whalers operating in the Southern Ocean. In the 1970s rich strikes of gold and tin were made in the Tasmanian mountains and Launceston became the chief service town for the mines. Launceston was proclaimed a city in 1888. In more recent years, secondary industry has become important in the local economy with the establishment of heavy engineering and has become one of Australia’s busiest river ports.
Place Categories: Bridges, Cities, Guided Tours, Markets, Parks And Gardens, Shopping, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
