Launceston travel guide, things to see and do: best tips

Which city in Tasmania gives Hobart a run for their money? Launceston is a poster city for cultural heritage, this is stacked against a stunning natural gorge, wine and food to devour, beautiful gardens and parks and, of course, very close to Launceston is an intact convict settlement. Launceston is a riverside city in the Tamar Valley with its well known Cataract Gorge famous for its panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. Launceston is one of Australia’s oldest cities with the requisite colonial, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Brutalist architecture to build dimension to the city’s personality. Architectural buffs, heritage building fans Launceston will be loved at first sight. Urban vibe meets country charm is a magical combination. Launceston is layered architecture stories where you peel through the buildings image to discern the past behind.

GARDENS & PARKS

Parks and Gardens in Launceston number over 148 recreational areas including parks, gardens and playgrounds. Launceston local council has a Dog Walking Areas and Park Amenities map for pooch lovers. The interactive map enables you to select the nearest park to your location and view the park’s amenities, to view click here Parks Levels of Service, For a sip of safe drinking tap water when out and about using this interactive map to find the nearest water fountain and drink refill station, or learn about some of the city’s Memorials here. The city encourages visitors to think about Launceston as an events destination with weddings and events welcome in the public parks. Popular venues include City Park, Cataract Gorge, Princes Square, Punchbowl and Royal Park Regatta (including Kings Park), please contact us for more information.

Launceston Cataract Gorge & First Basin – Launceston’s own piece of wilderness just 15 minutes walk from the city centre.

What other city can offer a 15 minute short walk from the CBD to a wilderness, intact and readily accessible. Your walk is through a fern filled Victorian garden in all its elaborate glory, along the cliff top path aptly called Hikers Zig Zag Track. Walk to the historic Duck Reach Power Station and visitor centre. A cantilevered lookout suspends visitors over the river to spectacular, jaw dropping views. Looking down though could be a challenge. Visitors can opt to take the pedestrian inclinator and arrive in style. There is a free tiger bus to the Gorge FREE Tiger Bus to stop at Cataract Gorge.

Flower & Garden Festival

Blooming Tasmania is an annual garden festival and a highlight garden fans calendar. The Albert Hall and City Park are the event hubs for over sixty plus exhibitions and displays.  Many private gardens open specifically for this event. The festival is organised on the weekend closest to the spring equinox in September.

Visitors will need to check whether historic walking tours are operating as well as up to date information.

CULTURE & HERITAGE: MUSEUMS

CULTURE & HERITAGE: BUILDINGS

Umbrella shop also run by the National Trust. A fascinating glimpse of the colonial past around Launceston.

HERITAGE WALKS

LAUNCESTON ARCHITECTURE

Launceston showcases almost every style of architecture possible: Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Federation, Italianate, Edwardian, Art Deco, Queen Anne Revival and even some Japanese inspired design given the sister city is Ikeda in Osaka.

There are three Launceston Heritage Walks commencing from Civic Square. You will discover the architectural layers of Launceston with its churches, heritage commercial buildings, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery or into railway workshops. The trails take between 30 to 70 minutes to return. The Seaport area is another great spot for a stroll beside the water and a chance to check out the local yachts. A guided walk is a great introduction to a city and Launceston does not disappoint with Launceston City and Seaport Walking Tour – Launceston, Tasmania offering local gossip and tidbits about various sites visited on the three hour walk.

FREE WALKING TOURS

Operates in Launceston check here for up to date information Free Walking Tours Launceston – Things to Do – Launceston, Tasmania.

For walking self-guided maps contact the Launceston Visitor Centre.

SCENERY: BIRD WATCHING

Tamar Island Wetlands Centre | Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania.

Tamar Island Wetlands Centre just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Launceston is Tamar Island. Join the swans, pelicans, frogs and lizards on this seven-hectare island and explore the plant and animal life. There’s also Hollybank Forest, with walking tracks that lead explorers through native bush and plantation forests.

The wetlands are best enjoyed by wandering along the accessible boardwalk, which is flanked by tall native Tasmanian grass species as it traverses the wetlands. It is a great spot for a picnic with spectacular views of Tamar Valley towards the peaks of Ben Lomond​.

• Length: 4km (return)
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Grade: Easy

Suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. From the visitor centre, you can take a short side track to the bird hide on the way. The boardwalk takes you right through the wetland. On either side you’re likely to see numerous different species of water birds. In the shallows look for remains of dredging machinery — once used to improve navigation for ships.

MARKETS & SHOPPING

Launceston is a compact city making a shopping experience a pleasant stroll past a mix of locally inspired boutiques, handmade wares, quirky & antique shops specialising in goods sourced from Launceston’s past to the iconic Old Umbrella shop. All this shopping does not need to be tiring as there are numerous cafes interspersed between shopping expeditions to energise flagging spirits. For an excellent shopping directory you cannot go past.

Shop – Launceston Retailers & Specialty Stores is a great guide to retail therapy. Launceston is a treasure hunters delight with second hand shops and antiques marketing the wares of Launceston’s past. Brisbane Street Mall is lined with commercial shops and amenities, but in the lanes and streets that surround it you’ll find owner operated boutique and specialty shops. Pop into a lane to see what is around the corner.

Old Umbrella Shop

The Old Umbrella Shop has been manufacturing and selling umbrellas since the early twentieth century. It is one of the oldest shops in Tasmania, and is recognized by the National Trust heritage association. Here you’ll find souvenirs, crafts, and, of course, umbrellas. A very special shop for lovers of heritage buildings, shops and the glorious gifts inside the store.

Evandale retail therapy

The village-like suburb of Evandale has a surprising number of specialty shops, with wares ranging from finely crafted modern glass objects to antiques and taxidermy. Sunday morning is a great time to visit, as you can peruse the weekly country market for local farmers’ produce, secondhand books, and curious knickknacks and treasures.

• Evandale Sunday Markets
• Tasmanian Glassblowers

DESIGN TASMANIA

So much more than a gallery, Design Tasmania is also an event space, education centre, unique retail outlet, a place where the community convenes and a rotating exhibition space.

Situated on the edge of City Park, later you can contemplate all that creativity whilst strolling through the grounds as our ancestors once did.

Other places to check out if you’re a fan of art and design see:

• Homebody, 68 Charles Street
• Ecoco, 51 Balfour Street
• Red Fox Vintage, 66 Tamar Street opposite Design Tasmania
• Tullochs auction house, 20 Herbert Street, Invermay
• Armitage auction house, 9 Goodman Court Invermay
• The Academy Gallery, 4 Invermay Road
• Queen Victoria Museum, 2 Invermay Road
• Gallery Pejean, 57 George Street
• Sawtooth, 2/160 Cimitiere Street
• Queen Victoria Art Gallery for, 2 Wellington Street

Launceston harvest market

It starts at a civilised 8.30 am and runs till 12.30 pm with a selection of fine fresh local produce, handmade cow and goat milk yoghurts and cheeses, free-range eggs, sourdough bread, Tasmanian cider and beer, farmed salmon and local seafood, chutneys, sauces and much more.

Talk to the locals, grab some breakfast or stock up your self-catering kitchen with local fruit and vegetables.

Launceston city markets

Yorktown Square night market is a local favourite for city workers finishing the week. The market is the last Friday of every month. Foodies delight with street eats and live music, it has stalls selling local art, crafts, and clothing from small businesses.

EAT & DRINK

Taste.walk.talk – Gourmet Launceston Walking Tours is a foodie delight for exploring delis and local cafes in Launceston.

Take a tour of historic Boag’s Brewery, founded in 1883, click here for details,  Boag Beers – From the Pure Waters of Tasmania.

DAY TRIPS

• Historic Heritage Hop – Day Tours Launceston, Tamar Valley… National Trust Tasmania’s grand rural colonial estate Clarendon House; Historic Entally Estate; Travel to historic Georgian villages of Evandale and Longford
• Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park is one of the most stunning places in Tasmania
• Narawntapu National Park provides many opportunities to see Australia’s distinctive wildlife
• Visit Northern Tasmania | Australian Fly Fishing Museum a perfect place for fishing buffs
• Open House Hobart 2019 annual event together with an exploration of Launceston’s heritage buildings makes for a architectural focused holiday

Getting around

The journey is worth it.

Travelpack information

• Parks and trails Launceston
• Trails in and around Launceston

Photo Gallery