Launceston sits two hours north of Hobart by road along the Midland Highway, with its own regional airport fifteen minutes south of the city centre. It is known for Cataract Gorge slicing straight into the city grid and the cold-climate vineyards flanking the Tamar River. Launceston is worth visiting if you want cellar-door pinot noir, heritage streetscapes, and morning markets stocked by smallholder farmers. Look elsewhere if you want late-night clubbing, warm ocean swimming, or fast-paced big-city transit.
Last updated 22 Sept 2026
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The town sits in a river basin where the North and South Esk meet, laid out on a compact nineteenth-century grid that rewards slow walking. Days revolve around morning coffee in red-brick courtyards, afternoon walks through the gorge, and evenings over cool-climate wine. It suits travellers who prefer regional markets, heritage streetscapes, and quiet river valleys to fast-paced itineraries.
Start early with a flat white and pastries before walking the suspension bridge at Cataract Gorge. Head back into the city centre for lunch on George Street, then spend the afternoon browsing regional art at Inveresk. Finish with local trout or wallaby and a bottle of Tamar Valley pinot noir by the water. Select 1 Day above to see it.
Dedicate your second day to the Tamar Valley wine route. Drive north along the western shore through Rosevears to taste chardonnay and sparkling at small cellar doors, stop for a pub lunch overlooking the river, and return via Prince's Square for a quiet pint of Tasmanian ale. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
A third day allows you to head south to the preserved Georgian stone architecture of Evandale and Longford. Tour Woolmers Estate, wander country antique shops, and stop at a farm gate for fresh cherries or truffles before a relaxed dinner back in town.
Taste traditional-method sparkling and cool-climate Pinot Noir along the Tamar Valley at cellar doors like Josef Chromy and Clover Hill.
Browse Saturday morning Harvest Market on Cimitiere Street for local hazelnuts, unpasteurised cheeses, truffles, and warm sourdough.
Walk the Cataract Gorge cliff grounds from Kings Bridge to First Basin, keeping an eye out for wallabies along the dolerite rock trails.
Inspect nineteenth-century Georgian red brick and ornate Victorian cast-iron verandahs along George Street, Cameron Street, and Prince's Square.
Eat pan-roasted blue eye trevalla, freshwater trout, and fresh Tasmanian oysters pulled from St Helens at riverside dining rooms.
Sip Boag's Draught or local stout by open fires in nineteenth-century timber-lined taverns like the Star Hotel and the Cock 'n' Bull.
Sample single malt whisky and botanical gins poured straight from copper pot stills in repurposed woolstores near the North Esk River.
Stroll City Park to see the John Hart Conservatory, established oak avenues, and the long-running Japanese macaque enclosure.
Explore the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery across two sites at Royal Park and the historic Inveresk railway workshops.
Drive twenty minutes south to the Georgian village of Evandale for Sunday street stalls, colonial cottages, and local cider houses.
Board a small motor vessel from Home Point to cruise past the sheer basalt cliffs of Cataract Gorge and the Tamar River wetlands.
Line up for scallop pies baked with curried gravy, sourdough loaves, and local berry tarts in leafy bakery courtyards off St John Street.