Explore heritage buildings, art museums and breweries in Launceston. This small city in the north of Tasmania is one of the oldest cities in Australia. Many buildings in the centre date back to around the time of its settlement in the 1800s. Stroll along the banks of the pretty Tamar River and dine in restaurants beside the water. Once you’ve spent a few days getting to know the city, hire a car and explore the surrounding countryside. Lavender fields, vineyards and small villages dot the picturesque landscape.
Launceston is serviced by an international airport and is a 2.5-hour drive from Tasmania’s capital, Hobart. Explore the centre of the city on foot. Georgian and Victorian-era buildings line pretty streets filled with quaint shops. Local cafés and restaurants serve fresh produce and wine from nearby vineyards. Visit Franklin and Macquarie House to see two of the best examples of the city’s historic architecture.
Make a stop at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery beside Royal Park. A large collection of colonial art features fine and decorative arts pieces and there are contemporary works by local artists. The Museum’s second site lies across the river at Inveresk and features preserved railway workshops, model planes and dinosaur exhibits. Kids will love the Phenomena Factory, a hands-on science centre within the museum.
Tasmania is known for its excellent breweries and wineries. One of the most well known is the James Boag & Son Brewery, a short walk from Royal Park. Take a tour to learn about how beer is made and try some of the different brews on tap. Just around the corner, City Park is a great place to relax. Stroll through botanic gardens, visit a radio museum and see monkeys up-close in a macaque enclosure.
Hire a car to see the Cataract Gorge Reserve, a 15-minute drive from the city centre. Hiking trails cut through scenic bushland, past wildlife and across the gorge on a suspension bridge. See the park from above on a chairlift. From here, it’s an easy drive to many nearby attractions, including wineries and lavender farms in the Tamar Valley.
