Visiting Launceston, Tasmania

The riverside city of Launceston has a streetscape brimming with elegant colonial and Victorian architecture, interspersed with century-old parks. Its vibrant food and wine scene has recently transformed the city. Launceston’s Seaport precinct is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll along the riverside boardwalk with a variety of cafés, bars and restaurants.

Art and design also take a front-row seat in this charismatic city, together with the iconic Cataract Gorge – a natural oasis in the middle of the city. The Gorge is only a 15-minute walk from the CBD and offers walking and hiking trails, picturesque gardens and stunning views of the natural ravine and cliff grounds. Within a 20-minute drive of Launceston are the elegant historic towns of Longford and Evandale, the picturesque Tamar Valley wine regions, some of the best mountain biking in the world and two of the world’s top golf courses — Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm. For those interested in wildlife and Aboriginal heritage, the Narawntapu National Park to the north is a must-see.

Launceston has retained its identity as friendly and accessible, while still offering all the amenities of a city. Visitors are captivated by Launceston’s natural attractions, especially the spectacular Cataract Gorge, within a walkable distance of the CBD, its charming parks and gardens and its historic architecture.