Launceston Travel Guide
Updated: Oct 6
Launceston is affectionately referred to as "the hole" by some locals but in our option, this small city is anything but!
Located in the centre of Tasmania, Launceston is the island's second largest city and worth a stop-in. With regional and some interstate flights landing here, it's a great launchpad for many of the great things on offer in northern Tassie (Cradle Mountain is only a short drive away!)
Read on to discover must-do's and where to stay whilst visiting this quaint city with this Launceston Travel Guide.
Your Launceston Travel Guide
Must-visit Spots in Launceston
Local Launceston folk are spoilt for choice when it comes to nature because they have the beautiful Cataract Gorge right on their doorstep! Visitors can spend the day hiking through and around the gorge, relax at the cafe amongst peacocks and wallabies or enjoy panoramic views from the chair lift that goes across the gorge.
Cataract Gorge is located about 10 - 15 minutes from the centre of town and is easy to get to!
The Tamar River runs through Launceston and out to sea at Devonport. This beautiful waterway offers a variety of activities alongside it including a variety of wineries where you can try some of Tasmania's finest drops and a quaint German Village called Grindelwald (which feels straight out of Switzerland!). Try your luck at mini-golf or enjoy German cuisine while you're there.
Expect to drive approximately 30 minutes out of Launceston to visit a winery or Grindelwald.
No trip to Tassie is complete without seeing some Tasmania Devils and what better place to do it at than a wildlife conservation park. Trowunna Wildlife Park focusses on rehabilitating injured and endangered animals in Tasmania.
There you can find different Tasmanian wildlife including Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Wallabies, Eagles and more. Grab a bag of Kangaroo feed upon entry and get close and cuddly with these loveable animals.
The wildlife park is an easy one-hour drive from Launceston by car.
Where to Stay in Launceston
As mentioned before, Launceston is a great place to base yourself for adventuring through Northern Tasmania, so you'll need somewhere to rest after a long day exploring! Stay in style or take your budget further with these savvy hotel recommendations.
Upmarket hotel in downtown Launceston ($$$)
This trendy hotel is located inside an old wheat silo along the waterfront with uninterrupted views of the Tamar River. Stay here if you want stylish comfort and amenities during your stay.
Mid-scale hotel in downtown Launceston with parking ($$)
Get a similar experience for less over at the Mercure Launceston. This is a comfortable hotel with free parking and a nice in-house restaurant. It's nothing flash but worth a stop.
Where to Eat and Drink in Launceston
A special mention goes to the Cataract on Paterson restaurant in Launceston. This locally owned modern Australian grill offers some of the best meat in Tasmania and is worth a stop! Even if meat isn't your thing, they have a great menu with plenty of options available.
Now that you have all this information, go forth and visit Launceston with this Launceston Travel Guide. For more Tasmania travel planning, blogs and itineraries, visit thedeparturedesk.com, and stay up to date with more travel tips and tricks on our socials @thedeparturedesk.
