The opportunity to visit Launceston over the Easter school holidays just couldn’t be passed up. We planned to experience adventure, great food and feel the vibe of Launceston in an overnight trip.
Just a few hours’ drive from Hobart up the Midland Highway, we headed straight for treetop adventures in Underwood, a 20-minute drive north of Launceston. Not wasting a second, our young men gear up and, after an equipment induction, they soon took to the trees in what was a heart-stopping 2½ hours of fun. Traversing wobbly aerial experiences, ziplines and climbing challenges in these world-class rope courses, some 18m off the ground, there are various levels for all ages and adrenalin junkies. You can also try a zipline course and hop on a Segway - a definite must-visit for outdoor adventurers.
Back in Launceston, we checked into our centrally located accommodation on York Street. Located high on the hill afforded a great view of the city as evening fell. Being so close to the city centre we walked into town to have dinner at Du Cane Brewery - an incredible space welcoming everyone, including your furry friends. A great selection of their beer on tap and freshly made pizza, all served and savoured against the backdrop of the brewery.
The morning brought another beautiful day and a short walk to find some breakfast. We stumbled upon the very understated vegetarian café on St John’s Street which served up lovely coffee with a great selection of food.
Walking back to the motel we paid a quick visit to the Japanese Macaque monkeys in Launceston City Park. The monkeys were enjoying the sun as much as we were with lots of babies scampering around with their mums. Unfortunately, it was too early to visit Design Tasmania (a not-for-profit centre supporting Tasmanian makers and artisans). The park itself is a stunning green space in central Launceston with a playground and BBQ facilities. Established in the 1820s, City Park has been rated as one of the top ten parks in Australia.
Our next stop was Cataract Gorge - an ancient geological feature and a significant site for the Palawa - Tasmania’s Aboriginal community. We started our walk up the gorge on the Zig Zag Track, climbing up high to gain a great view of the gorge and the city beyond. There are so many houses built high along the top of the entrance to the gorge. We then descended to the gorge reserve, where there is a public pool, café and the oldest chair lift of its kind to take you two-by-two across the gorge. So many legs swung as we walked underneath to cross the bridge and up to the Gorge Restaurant and historic rotunda set amid the Victorian gardens. Peacocks were fanning their feathers and native birds singing in the distance - such a peaceful and dramatic landscape. This area is well frequented by visitors from all over the world with tourists filling in as we headed back along the other side of the gorge to the old and redundant toll booth at the entrance on Kings Bridge.
Sadly, it was time to head back to the big smoke and my teen slept the whole way home. Launceston has so much to offer, and another trip will be required to discover more of her beauty and culture.
Jennifer Barrington - Travel Advisor
Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre