Launceston Overview

Launceston is one of the major cities of Tasmania and ranks third among the oldest cities of the country. The city dates back to the colonial past when it was established primarily as a commercial district. The city now functions as a major seat of administration in the northern part of the state. It is now home to a population of around seventy thousand people.

Launceston is placed seventy kilometers from the coast of the Tamar River. A range of hills line the southern edges of the city, shrouding it in a shield of mist for which the city is popularly called the 'foggy hollow'. A beautiful landscape makes the city a popular tourist destination. The gorge stands as one of the most beautiful locales in Launceston, and had even hosted the World Kayaking Championship. A number of bridges and pools are nestled into the gorge, making it a heavenly place to visit. The Tamar River is an ideal place for cruising and the wineries on its side are also worth visiting.

The city still exists with a quaint look as most of the buildings retain the majestic Victorian architecture to give the city a quaint charm. Launceston has a number of interesting sites to offer to its visitors. Launceston still bears traces of its colonial past, and the remnants of the colonial age now stand as popular tourist destinations. The century old City Park, Albert Hall, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, and the Macaque Monkey Island attract numerous visitors from across the city and beyond.

Proximity to the hills imparts a chill to the city weather, making it favorable enough for the tourists to visit. The city is particularly famous for its woolen products, and the tourists here can take home a variety of woolen garments.

It takes around fifty minutes to travel to Launceston from Melbourne by air. Launceston is also connected to the major cities by road.