Launceston

Situated along the mighty Tamar River, the city of Launceston is one of the most popular destinations in northern Tasmania. With a bustling airport, Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city — second only to Hobart. Despite its size, the urban landscape is visually appealing, with a charm and character reminiscent of a bygone era.

Grand Georgian buildings can be found throughout the city — particularly in the heart of town. Arguably, you’ll find the country’s most extensive concentration of large nineteenth-century buildings within this city’s streets, so be sure to keep an eye out for some of these elegant buildings during your time here.

What you might not expect is that Launceston sits on the doorstep of a flourishing wine region. The Tamar Valley has been labelled one of the top ten wine trails in the world. While this is obviously a big call, with a cool climate, you can expect to taste excellent examples of Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. In fact, the sparkling wines are considered by many to be second only to the province of Champagne itself.

As the city is centrally positioned in the top half of the island, it’s also a great place to base yourself to see the many sights of northern Tasmania. To ensure you get an all-encompassing feel for the area, the following free things to see and do in and around Launceston are as unique and captivating as the countryside in which they reside. Stay a while, and you may never want to leave this historically charming gateway.

Most travellers would agree that a trip to Launceston wouldn’t be complete without visiting Cataract Gorge. With an extensive array of attractions all rolled into one amazing location, who could argue?

Firstly, there’s the gorge itself, which features a vast freshwater lake that’s perfect on a hot day. Or if you prefer, the large public swimming pool right beside the lake just can’t be beaten when the sun is shining. A large grassy field (complete with a decent kids’ playground) accompanies both bodies of water, which is perfect for a picnic or simply lazing about. Added to this, all of the above sits at the base of the bushy slopes of the gorge, creating a highly atmospheric experience.

You’ll appreciate the historic Cliff Grounds and its band rotunda, with several peacocks in and around the garden beds adding a colourful touch. These gardens have been a place of leisure for well over a century, with over seventy plant species — and just as many birds.

A quaint café takes in the best of the gardens from its outdoor seating area, which is reasonably priced and a good lunchtime option.

If you have a few dollars to spare, you can also take a ride on the Gorge Scenic Chairlift, which is believed to be the longest single-span chairlift in the world at 308 metres.

You’ll find the pool on one side of the gorge, and the gardens on the other, with the South Esk River parting the two. Crossing the river is made easy via the historic Alexandra Suspension Bridge, which you are free to walk as you take in even more encompassing views.

Getting to Cataract Gorge is very easy. Unbelievably, it’s only 15 minutes from the centre of town, with a large carpark awaiting those wishing to drive.

Once inside the gorge, you’ll find several walks shooting off from the main area of First Basin. Of these, the Cataract Walk is the most popular, taking visitors along a historic walking trail which is, in fact, the original entrance to the gorge.

The Cataract Walk ends at the historic King Bridge and toll station. From here, head back into the gorge the way you came.

As an optional addition, you can cross King Bridge to Penny Royal — a privately-owned theme park where you’re free to stroll the grounds. There are paid attractions here; however, kids can pan for fool’s gold in a man-made riverbed for free. There’s an ice-creamery too, amongst other food options, if you’re looking to treat yourself.

We’ve really only touched on the many things to do at Cataract Gorge, so be sure to allow plenty of time to soak up this impressive attraction — right in the heart of Launceston.

If a day trip is on the agenda, a trip to Liffey Falls is a delightful walk in one of Tasmania’s great temperate rainforests. Here in this World Heritage area, visitors can stroll alongside the cascading Liffey River for a good portion of the trail. Being so close to permanent water, the vegetation is immersive as you descend through tall eucalypt forest and lush ferns.

Liffey Falls was an important meeting place for three separate Aboriginal communities for thousands of years: the Big River, North and North Midlands people. In more recent times, the areas have been logged by timber-getters in search of the enormous trees found there. William Page opened the first sawmill, and by the end of World War Two, three sawmills were operating here. Logging continued at Liffey Falls until the 1960s. Fortunately, not all tall trees were felled. On the trail, you’ll come across a massive Browntop Stringybark, which is quite a sight to take in first-hand.

From the upper Liffey Falls day use area, you’ll find four distinct cascades as you stroll along: Alexandra Falls, Hopetoun Falls, Spout Falls and Victoria Falls. The trail is gentle and, for the most part, easygoing, with boardwalks and viewing platforms to take in the most scenic spots.

Overall, Liffey Valley and its cascading waterfalls are about as gorgeous as you could hope for. If Tasmania’s renowned temperate rainforests are on your to-do list, Liffey Falls is a fine example.

If you’re the kind of person who can appreciate a raw natural environment, the Tamar Island Wetlands Walk is an exceptional example of a thriving wetland system. The Tamar River — upon which Launceston was built- is not a river, but in fact, a tidal estuary.

The walk consists of a series of boardwalks which blaze their way through vast sections of reedbeds within the wetlands. The boardwalks also connect some of the islands that span the estuary’s enormous breadth. The scenery, particularly from the bridges, is spectacular, with the rolling hillsides of the Tamar Valley providing a captivating backdrop to the vast expanse of the wetlands.

Depending on the time of day, the wildlife you’ll encounter can be varied. Having said that, there are over sixty species of birds which either live or frequent the wetlands, so you’ll never quite know what to expect. As with all wetland systems, the early or late hours are most successful for wildlife, but all hours of the day will reward visitors.

Entry is by donation, which helps to maintain the infrastructure of the wetlands and its management. You’ll find an interpretive information centre at the start of the walk, which is a good primer and further source of information. Near the end of the trail and out on the island, you’ll find public toilets, a picnic table and a gas barbeque, which could make a great place to rest up before heading back the way you came. Overall, this is a great walk close to town for nature lovers.

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery — or QVMAG as it is commonly known- is a great day out for people of all ages. It’s officially the largest museum in Australia outside of a capital city, with plenty to see and do. Formerly a railway workshop, you’ll find many relics from Tasmania’s early rail era, with many buildings as much of a relic as its historic contents.

In addition to its old-worldly roots, the museum hosts The Phenomena Factory, a brilliant hands-on science-based activity centre for kids. It’s a centre of discovery and learning and is just as engaging for the adults as it is for the kids. Other highlights include the fascinating dinosaur and wartime displays in the John Lees Atrium, one of the museum’s more modern additions.

If there’s one thing you should do at QVMAG, it’s the ‘distorted perception tunnel’. Visitors who walk through the tunnel will feel as though they are leaning over, even though the walking platform is not moving at all. How it does this, well, you’ll have to discover it for yourself. Overall, this is a well-curated museum that is visually engaging, informative and fun.

The Notley Fern Gorge Walk is a lesser-known nature trail just a short drive out of Launceston. Taking full advantage of the cool climate, the greenery of Notley Fern Gorge will inspire and amaze — so lush are the ferns here.

Prior to 1940, the area was a secret of the Hitchcock and Hunt families and their friends. Gradually, more and more people came to experience the natural beauty of the gorge, and eventually the Hitchcocks kindly built a road for all to see this amazing natural wonder.

The gorge is now a reserve for all to enjoy, with a well-formed loop trail taking visitors through the most scenic sections. This would have to be one of Launceston’s best-kept secrets, so if time allows, be sure to check this little gem out for yourself.

Tip: To save yourself from a steep walk out of the gorge, take the right-hand path at the fork of the loop trail.

Situated right in the heart of town, City Park is a quaint botanic garden with a difference. The grounds of the park are nice enough, with a conservatory, duck pond, kids’ playground, café and train ride (paid). There are a few historical buildings and memorials which add to the ambience of the grounds too.

The star attraction though is the Japanese macaque exhibit, which is free to view. In 1965, Launceston became a sister city to Ikeda City in Japan. As a gift, Ikeda City gifted the Launceston City Council with an exhibit of Japanese macaques. The compound has been revamped more recently, with a glass-panelled island, a small moat, and numerous trees for these curious monkeys to hang about and play.

Seeing macaques in Australia for free is rare, and because it’s so close to the city centre, it is a quick, easy addition that travellers rate highly. Whether you choose to bring a packed lunch, grab a coffee and a bite to eat at the café, or simply enjoy the peaceful surrounds, City Park is another treasure of Launceston that should be on your to-do list.