Launceston, Tasmania

As many of you may know, I was in Launceston last week for my best friend’s wedding. It was a truly magical couple of days and we had an absolute ball, with the opportunity to also see around Launceston and taste our first bite of Tasmania, a place we had always wanted to visit.

Launceston is one of those cities that surprises you. It blends history, nature, culture and great food into a relaxed and very walkable experience. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or taking your time to explore, I have no doubt you will fall in love with this place. It is the perfect place for walking, exploring, shopping and dining.

I have compiled my top eight things to see and do in this beautiful Tasmanian city, in case you ever decide to visit and wonder what to do.

1. City Park

Right in the heart of the city, City Park is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the surrounding nature. With its manicured gardens, historic features and open green spaces, it’s ideal for a morning stroll or a quiet coffee break. It feels like a peaceful pocket tucked into the rhythm of city life and is a lovely way to start exploring Launceston. One of the park’s most charming quirks is its Japanese macaques (monkeys) enclosure, which has been a favourite with visitors for decades. A highlight for me was the John Hart Conservatory, a heritage-listed glasshouse with a display of stunning annual flowers.

2. Cataract Gorge

Cataract Gorge is easily one of Launceston’s most breathtaking natural attractions and lucky for us was just a 5 minute walk from our hotel. Walking tracks hug the cliffs, suspension bridges stretch over the water, and the views are stunning at every turn. One of the highlights of Cataract Gorge is the Gorge Scenic Chairlift, which offers a gentle scenic ride high above the gorge. Its central span of around 308 m is thought to be the longest single‑span chairlift in the world, giving you spectacular panoramic views of the gorge, river and surrounding bushland from above. We had to experience this and I have to say, it was very enjoyable and not too scary. During our visit we spotted MANY peacocks roaming the gorge, with their striking feathers adding a splash of colour to the cliffs and walking trails, we even had one put on quite a show, displaying his fancy feathers for us. I think this was the first time I had ever heard the calls that they make, quite loud and high pitched when they communicate to each other.

3. Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG)

For art lovers and curious minds, QVMAG offers a fascinating mix of history, science and contemporary exhibitions. Spread across historic buildings, it showcases Tasmania’s stories alongside creative works that make you pause and reflect. It’s the kind of place you can casually wander and still leave feeling inspired, and it’s free! One of the standout exhibits at QVMAG was the Sam Jinks’ Mortal Reflections exhibition, a series of incredibly lifelike sculptures that explore the fragility and beauty of the human form. The attention to detail is astonishing where each piece feels almost alive, inviting quiet reflection and a deeper appreciation of art’s power to evoke emotion. The curator had warned us not to touch the sculptures, even though we would really want to, and she was absolutely right. It was easy to see the temptation, but we managed to restrain ourselves.

4. Prince’s Square and Heritage Streets

Launceston’s heritage architecture gives the city much of its charm. Prince’s Square and the surrounding streets are lined with beautiful old buildings that hint at the city’s colonial past and it’s consequently, a great area for photography, wandering, and soaking up the atmosphere of a city that respects its history. As you can probably imagine, I was in architecture and door heaven!

5. Kings Bridge Bar & Restaurant

If you’re looking for a place to unwind with great food and a drink, Kings Bridge is a standout. Set beside the Tamar River, it offers a relaxed vibe with lovely views and a menu that feels both fresh and satisfying. It’s perfect for a long lunch, sunset drinks, or a laid-back dinner after a day of exploring. I loved the English feel of this cosy pub and we had one of my favourite student dishes here, cheesy chips smothered in gravy!!! The Guinness was pretty decent too.

6. Alchemy Bar & Restaurant

Alchemy is a favourite for cocktails, atmosphere and modern dining. Stylish without feeling pretentious, it is a great spot to enjoy creative drinks and well-crafted dishes. Whether you’re catching up with friends or treating yourself to a relaxed evening out, Alchemy adds a little sparkle to the Launceston experience. I have no photos in here sadly as we were having too much fun with our friends but we frequented here on two occasions and thoroughly enjoyed the food, drinks and service.

7. Tamar Valley Wine Region

Just outside the city lies the Tamar Valley, one of Tasmania’s best-known wine regions. Rolling vineyards, cellar doors and stunning river views make it ideal for a day trip. Even if wine isn’t your main interest, the scenery alone makes the journey worthwhile. We were really fortunate to have tried four different wineries whilst staying in Launceston and each one brought its own unique and fabulous charm, we absolutely loved them all.

8. Harvest Market (Saturday Mornings)

If you are in Launceston on a Saturday, the Harvest Market, apparently, is not to be missed. Local growers, bakers and producers fill the market with fresh produce, artisan treats and friendly energy. It’s a wonderful way to taste Tasmania and connect with the local community, however, sadly we had to leave on the Friday so missed this opportunity but I’m sure it would be great to check out.

There you have it, my top eight picks for Launceston. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here and would highly recommend to anyone wishing to visit Tasmania to make this one of your top priorities. If you are interested, we stayed in the Art Hotel on York, just a short five minute walk into town and also the Cataract Gorge in the other direction. This hotel was probably one of the cheapest to be honest, great location, extremely friendly staff, quirky decor that we loved and rooms serviced daily which we really appreciated as this isn’t always the case. We would absolutely stay here again and we look forward to returning to Tasmania in the not so distant future.