Launceston: a surprisingly fun stopover in Tasmania

Launceston is Tasmania’s second city and lies at the confluence of three rivers, including the famous Tamar River. It’s the kind of place you easily overlook when planning a round trip, but that’s exactly why we found it a fun stopover between Tasmania’s wilderness. The city combines colonial charm with beautiful nature and is full of nice eateries, parks and – very unexpectedly – monkeys. No joke.

We spent a day here during our round trip, and it turned out surprisingly fun and relaxed. I wouldn’t plan many more days here either if you’re doing a round trip through Tasmania.

Cataract Gorge: nature in the city

Our first stop was immediately the highlight of the day: Cataract Gorge Reserve. And what a place this is! You literally drive from the city center straight into a gorge, with steep rock walls, ferns and a river winding through the landscape.

We started with a ride on the chairlift – the world’s longest single-span chairlift, apparently. Nicely floating quietly above the water, with views of the bridges, the park and the surrounding mountains. After that we took a short walk along the paths on both sides of the gorge. You can hike here for hours if you want, but we kept it to an hour. We were in a city after all, so we went for a nice lunch out.

Exploring Launceston

In the afternoon we went into the city. Launceston isn’t big, but it has atmosphere. You’ll find parks, nice buildings, cozy streets and – surprisingly enough – a place with monkeys right in the middle of a city park. We didn’t see it coming, but there they were.

Monkeys right in the city

And right in the middle of that same park we suddenly saw them: monkeys. Yes, really! Launceston actually has a small group of Japanese macaque monkeys in a special enclosure in the park. This ‘Monkey Island’ was given in 1965 by the Japanese city of Ikeda, as a sign of friendship between the two cities. Since then the monkeys have been a permanent attraction in the park, and to be honest: it’s a bit weird, but also quite fun to see.

James Boag Brewery: local pride

We walked further through Launceston and headed towards James Boag Brewery – the local pride when it comes to beer. Of course I couldn’t resist trying a beer (or actually a tasting). It was also possible to do a tour through the James Boag factory, only we hadn’t booked it in advance and the tour was full.

Cafés & bars

Launceston is bursting with nice cafés and bars, so you never have to look far for something tasty. We ended the afternoon nice and lazy in the park, in the sun – for the first time on that vacation it was really shorts weather.

In the evening we closed the day with a nice dinner in the city. There are plenty of good restaurants, from casual to fancy. We went for something in between and ate deliciously at The Metz. A nice bistro right in the center.

More to do in and around Launceston?

Do you have more time than we did? Then here are some more fun tips:

• Tamar Valley: a beautiful wine region just outside the city. You can hike, bike or of course taste wine here.
• Kayaking on the Tamar River: for those who want to experience the city from the water.
• Hiking in Zig Zag Reserve: a short but steep trail with views of the city and the gorge.
• James Boag Brewery tour: fun if you want to learn more about brewing (and tasting).
• Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery: Australia’s largest regional museum, spread across two locations, with everything from colonial history to modern art.
• Franklin House: a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion with lovely gardens, just outside the center.
• Royal Park & Seaport Precinct: a nice place to walk along the river, with modern cafés and a relaxed vibe.
• Penny Royal Adventures: a small adventure park for families, with climbing walls, little boats and even a fake pirate experience. A bit touristy, but fun if you’re traveling with kids.
• Harvest Market (Saturday morning): a local farmers market with fresh produce, coffee, Tasmanian treats and a cozy atmosphere.
• Wine tasting at Josef Chromy Wines: just outside Launceston you’ll find this beautiful vineyard where you can taste and have lunch with a view.

Overnight in Launceston

We stayed at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, a fine base right in the city center. Large, comfortable and with breakfast included. Exciting hotel? Not really. But it did have ample parking and you could do everything in the city on foot from here. Also a plus in my book.

Other nice options:

• Peppers Silo Hotel: a special hotel in an old grain silo, with views over the Tamar River and modern furnished rooms.
• Change Overnight: a sustainable, hip option with a social purpose – for every overnight stay you support a good cause.
• Kurrajong House: a charming B&B in an old Victorian house, for those who like character and personal atmosphere.
• Hotel Verge: sleek, modern and centrally located – perfect if you like design.

Launceston was mainly a stopover for us on the way to the east coast. But it turned out to be much more than that. Certainly if you’re looking for a combination of nature, good food and a relaxed atmosphere, this is a nice place to stay for 24 hours.

Whether you come for the scones, the chairlift or simply because it’s on the route: Launceston is absolutely worth a stop during your round trip through Tasmania!