Tasmania’s second largest city, Launceston, is called the ‘Garden City’ because of its many parklands. Launceston is a compact city where you are seldom without a view of the Tamar River or surrounding valley. It has the charm and pace of a regional centre but with the facilities of a larger city and without the crowding or traffic.
Attractions/Activities in Launceston
| Food & Wine: The region is home to the Tamar Valley Wine Route, with over to over 20 cellar doors visit for tastings. The Tamar Valley and Northern Tasmania is also renowned for its fresh local produce. Details of where you can access farms, and sample these goodies can be found in the Where to eat guide, Tasmania Fruits Farm Gate Guide, Winery and Food Tours. |  |
| Nature & Walks: A diverse range of natural attractions can be found within the Launceston Tamar Valley area. Take a stroll through Launceston's parks and reserves, the most famous being the Cataract Gorge Reserve. Why not opt for one of our walking trails, along the boardwalk through Royal Park and the Seaport, through Inveresk out to Heritage Forest, or through to the Black Bridge Trail? Discover a piece wilderness within close driving distance from the city, including the Tamar Island Wetlands, Brady's Lookout, Notley Fern Gorge, Hollybank Forest, Supply River Mill Reserve, Lilydale Falls, Liffey Falls, Meander Falls, Narawntapu National Park, Ben Lomond National Park, Mount Barrow, and the Alum Cliffs. |  |
| Heritage: Launceston and the Tamar Valley offer a range of attractions for those wanting to step back in time. Colonial settlement dates back over 200 years, and Indigenous communities living in the Valley well before colonial discovery. Attractions and activities include National Trust properties, Woolmers Estate and the National Rose Garden, Entally House, Launceston Historic Walks, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the George Town Heritage Trail, and the York Town Historic Site. |  |
| Adventure & Sport: For lovers of adventure and sports the Launceston Tamar Valley area offers a variety of pursuits to get your heart racing, including Hollybank Treetops Adventure, Cable Hang Gliding, Skiing on Ben Lomond, hiking, cycling and mountain bike riding. For more relaxed pace, try golfing, fishing or trailriding. The area also boasts a series of sporting areanas and facilities, including the new Launceston Aquatic. |  |
| Arts and Culture: Nestled amongst quaint galleries, regular theatre productions and world class concerts, Launceston Tamar Valley is a wealth of inspiration. Experience this creativity at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the Design Centre, Theatre North, and the various independent galleries, markets, cafés and restaurants. |  |
| Wildlife: Cross paths with a Tasmanian devil, wallaby, wombat, or echidna in some of our National Parks or Forest Reserve, particularly Narawntpau National Park. Tasmania Zoo, Trowunna Wildlife Park, Platypus House, Low Head Penguin Tours, and Seal and Sea Adventures will also offer ways to meet and experience our abundant wildlife. Some of our different creature features include Monkey Island in City Park , Seahorse World, and Old Mac's Farm and Fishery. |  |
For more detailed information about Attractions&Activities, please refer to this website. (click the link)
For public maps and facilities, please refer to the Launceston City Council website. (click the link)
For monthly events happening in Launceston, please refer to this website. (click the link)
For information about the Public Bus Service, please refer to this website. (click the link)
University of Tasmania, Launceston
The University campus is on fifty hectares at Newnham, ten minutes from the city centre and overlooking the River Tamar.
