The City of Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city with a population of just over 100,000. Located next to kanamaluka/River Tamar, a tidal estuary that flows north towards Bass Strait, the city offers plenty to do and see. You can fly into Launceston from most mainland capital cities, or the Hobart to Launceston route, along the Heritage Highway (known as the Midland Highway to locals) is around 2.5 hours drive from Hobart – if you can manage the drive without stopping at famous bakeries, historical windmills or quirky book stores along the way!
Launceston is known for a lively food and beverages scene, and is supported by some of the best cafes, restaurants that Tassie has to offer. At the weekly farmer’s market, located behind the Boag’s building, grab a coffee and meet the faces behind some amazing produce. Breakfast in Launceston offers a plethora of café choices with local produce a key feature of most. Dinner is just as hard to choose, with top restaurants including Novaro’s, Brisbane Street Bistro and Larceny some of the city’s top picks, while Mud Bar, Black Cow and Stillwater have long been a favourite for many.
A short walk from the city centre, you will find the Cataract Gorge, a unique gorge formation in the lower section of the South Esk River, one of two rivers that flow into kanamaluka/River Tamar. The gorge is home to walking and jogging tracks, wildlife, gardens, the world’s longest single span chairlift, and for the brave of heart and numb of body, an outdoor swimming pool!
Accommodation in Launceston varies from world class luxury, to home sharing and caravan parks. The city’s newest hotel, Peppers Silo Hotel, was opened in 2018 and boasts a four legged mascot, Archie the Silo Dog, among its five star team. Nearby, you will find the Red Feather Inn, a local bed and breakfast, built in the Georgian era that hosts its own cooking classes and serves a meal almost exclusively from the local region.
Other things to do in and around Launceston include a day trip through the Tamar Valley. Both sides of kanamaluka/River Tamar support a huge variety of local produce, from hazelnuts, to pigs, to wine, plus everything in between, a day in this trendy, yet relaxed region is hardly enough. If you’ve had enough food for a while, you can also find historical homes to explore, zip lining and segway adventures and art galleries to admire, depending on what you fancy!
Image credits: Chris Crerar (Launceston Seaport Boardwalk and Mud Bar & Restaurant)