Lying in picturesque countryside at the junction of the North Esk, South Esk, and Tamar Rivers is beautiful Launceston, Tasmania's second largest and Australia's third oldest city. Despite it's size, the city boasts a laidback and friendly atmosphere, combined with a rich sense of history which greets you at every turn. The city centre is a focal point of Tasmania's living heritage, literally brimming with magnificent Victorian buildings and shopfronts, all lovingly maintained and still in use. Launceston's superb riverside setting and extensive parklands only enhance the city's overall appeal, as do the towering granite facades of the nearby Cataract Gorge.

Launceston is easily explored on foot, with most of the attractions, accommodation, and nightlife within a four or five block radius of the city centre. Around the city centre, Civic Square, Yorketown Square, The Avenue and Brisbane Mall make up the main shopping and restaurant district, a district renowned for its fine dining, alfresco cafes, and unique speciality stores. A prime example is the Old Umbrella Shop, National Trust classified and still selling umbrellas after 140 years! For those wishing to be introduced to the rest of Launceston's abundant historical buildings, interesting guided walking tours leave from the Gateway Tasmania Travel Centre (cnr St John St and Patterson St) every weekday at 9:45am.

Just east of the city centre at the end of Cameron Street, City Park is the largest and most impressive of Launceston's numerous parks and gardens. Developed in the 1820's by Australia's first horticultural society, the park's 13 hectares make a great place for a stroll, featuring fine Victorian gardens, the Japanese macaques of Monkey Island, a giant chess board, a bandstand, and a cafe with views in the magnificent Albert Hall Convention Centre. Opposite the park, the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania is a must for car enthusiasts, showcasing a collection of shiny machines from across the motoring era.

On the other side of the city centre, another major highlight is the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery on Wellington Street. The gallery focuses on colonial and modern art, while the museum boasts a large natural history section as well as impressive displays of Aboriginal and convict relics. The complex also houses the excellent Launceston Planetarium.

The other main attractions on the western side of the city lie in and around Kings Park and Royal Park, the landscaped expanse nestled in between the urban fringe and the banks of the North Esk and South Esk Rivers. At the northern tip of Royal Park, tours of the area's scenic waterways leave from the Home Point landing, aboard the Tamar Odyssey river cruiser. For a cruise with old time appeal, the old paddlesteamer the Lady Stelfox embarks for 45 minute tours from Kings Park, a few hundred metres to the south. The paddlesteamer is actually part of the award winning Penny Royal World, an entertainment complex featuring a 19th century village with working mills, vintage tram rides, a tavern, restaurant, and some cosy old style accommodation. Kings Park also provides the setting for Richies Mill Arts Centre and the Gallery Two art gallery.

Following the footpath extending beyond Kings Park, the trail runs alongside the South Esk River before it arrives at the spectacular vertical cliffs of Cataract Gorge Reserve, Launceston's most popular natural attraction. The reserve is only a 10 minute walk from the city centre (road access is available to the main entrance), making its striking landscape, exotic gardens, restaurant, cafe, and scenic bushwalks easily accessible. The opposite sides of the gorge are connected by the impressive Alexandra Suspension Bridge, as well as the world's longest single span chairlift. Additional attractions on the outskirts of the city centre include the Launceston Country Club Casino and the famous Boags Brewery.

The Tamar Valley

Another enticing reason to visit Launceston area is the splendid Tamar Valley, carved by the mighty Tamar River winding its way from the city centre to Bass Strait. On it's travels, the river passes by rich pastoral lands, rustic wineries (a few with their own restaurants and accommodation), towering forests, and several charming villages, all of which are best experienced by leaving the highways, and exploring the valley's numerous country roads.

On the western side of the Tamar, the scenic side road which follows the river leaves the West Tamar Highway just north of the small township of Legana. Beyond Legana, the road travels by two of the west Tamar's wineries offering tastings and sales before arriving at the riverside village of Rosevears. Besides its setting, Rosevears' main attraction is the Strathlynn Wine Centre, where visitors can sample more of the region's wine, as well as quality cuisine made from local produce. The village is also home to a sanctuary for marine birds, a beautiful old pub, and a sprinkling of cosy B&B accommodation.

Less than ten kilometres north-west of Rosevears, the ex-shipyard town of Exeter lies close to the other wineries on the western side of the valley, as well as the impressive Batman Bridge, the sole structure spanning the broad Tamar River. Exeter itself hosts the Tamar Court Wine Centre, a similar setup to the centre in Rosevears. (for information on west Tamar Valley towns north of Exeter see adjacent section)

On the eastern side of the Tamar Valley, most of the vineyards can be found in between the townships of Lilydale and Pipers Brook , 27 and 55 kilometres north of Launceston respectively. Lilydale also lies close to many fine bushwalks and picnic areas, particularly in the Lilyfield Falls, Hollybank Forest and Walker Rhododendron Reserves.

On the coast 24 kilometres west of Pipers Brook, Bridport is a popular seaside resort boasting fine beaches, good fishing, scenic coastal walks and plenty of accommodation. Bridport is also home to the Southern Shipping Company, the only outfit operating a ferry from the Tasmanian mainland to Flinders Island (see Tours & Trips under Things To Do).

At the top of the Tamar Valley, George Town is the Tasmanian home of the Devilcat, a huge catamaran which travels between the island and Melbourne during the summer. The town itself is the third oldest settlement in Australia (behind Sydney and Hobart), first established by Europeans in 1811. Several colonial buildings like the old watch tower (now an arts centre) and the Grove serve as a legacy to the town's vintage, with the Grove even serving Devonshire teas and lunches by staff in dressed in period costume. The rest of the town's historic sites of interest are best found by following the Discovery Trail leaflet, available from the tourist office on Main Street. George Town also offers a variety of accommodation and dining options, the majority of which are based around the central business area.

At the mouth of the Tamar River just north of George Town is Low Head, another historic town which has developed into a laid-back holiday destination. Overlooking Bass Strait, Low Head has long been used to direct ships through the river's pricarious headlands, with its convict-built pilot station being the oldest, still operating facitity of its kind in Australia. The pilot station now houses an excellent maritime museum as well, showcasing the area's interesting seafaring past through displays on communication, navigation, and shipbuilding. Low Head's other attractions include surfing at East Beach, fishing and swimming in the Tamar, and nightly tours of the local fairy penguin colony between July and April.

Towns south of Launceston

Not far from Launceston airport, Evandale is a charming historic town which has been classified in its entirety by the National Trust. Visitors can step back in time as they wander by the town's beautiful 19th century buildings, many of which now house art and craft outlets, antique stores, cafes, and comfortable B&B's. More history can be found on the outskirts of Evandale at the National Trust property of Clarendon, probably Australia's grandest Georgian mansion. The homestead is set in extensive formal gardens, and is open for inspection daily.

Only of few kilometres west of Evandale, Longford is another finely preseverved Georgian township, with a streetscape oozing similar charm to that of it's eastern neighbour. Apart from its peaceful old world atmosphere and cosy places to stay, the town's biggest drawcard is Brickendon and Woolmers, two more splendid homesteads offering tours and accommodation (for accommodation see Guesthouses). 14 kilometres north-west of Longford, the historic estate of Entally House is also worth a look, set in expansive landscaped gardens near the township of Hadspen.