An introductory guide to Launceston and the Tamar Valley, Australia

Launceston may be the second-largest city in Tasmania, but it remains a haven where nature and culture thrive side by side. 

With a stunning gorge that almost reaches the city center, Launceston is encircled by the Tamar Valley’s wine-producing hills, where rich red volcanic soil nurtures some of Australia’s best produce.

This blend of exquisite cuisine and top-notch wine, combined with an abundance of local seafood, has established a vibrant dining scene that led to Launceston being recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2021—one of only 57 cities worldwide and just the second in Australia.

Once you’ve savored the local fare, Launceston serves as an excellent base for adventures into Tasmania’s renowned natural landscapes: it’s closer than the capital, Hobart, to the stunning Cradle Mountain and just a two-hour drive to Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. 

When is the best time to visit Launceston and the Tamar Valley?

Launceston truly shines during the southern summer months (December to February), with average high temperatures around 23°C and an exciting festival calendar. This season features the food-centric Festivale in City Park, the Launceston BeerFest on New Year’s Eve, and the lively National Penny Farthing Championships in nearby Evandale. 

If you’re considering day trips, the lavender fields at picturesque Bridestowe Lavender Estate, the largest lavender farm in the Southern Hemisphere, are in full bloom during this time.

Autumn (March to May) offers the most consistent weather of the year, with lingering warmth and fewer summer crowds. It's also harvest season in the Tamar Valley vineyards.

How long should I stay in Launceston and the Tamar Valley?

How deep is your thirst? Your time in Launceston may be shaped by the numerous cellar doors, with wineries lining both banks and slopes of the Tamar Valley. The city itself can be explored in just a couple of days. If the weather is nice, consider adding an extra day to join the locals at the beach in the nearby favorite, Bridport, about an hour’s drive northeast of the city. Overall, a week will give you plenty of time to discover Launceston and its surroundings, along with evenings to savor the best restaurants in the area.

Is it easy to navigate Launceston and the Tamar Valley?

Launceston is well-connected to the mainland, with Launceston Airport located just 15km south of the city. Vehicle ferries operate between Geelong (Victoria) and Devonport, which is 100km to the west of Launceston. Kinetic buses provide service between Launceston and Hobart, taking about three hours, and continue on to Devonport and Burnie.

The city center of Launceston is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with Cataract Gorge just a 15-minute walk from the mall on Brisbane St. Various companies offer tours and transport to the wineries in the Tamar Valley.

Must-see attractions in Launceston and the Tamar Valley

Culinary delights

When Launceston’s culinary offerings earn UNESCO recognition, you know you're in for something special. The city’s secret lies in its rich soils and seas, providing exquisite local produce and seafood that form the foundation of its vibrant menus.

Experience the best local flavors at the Harvest Market, which transforms a city-center parking lot every Saturday morning into a haven for vegetables, cheese, berries, oysters, mushrooms, cider, whisky, hazelnuts, and much more.

The restaurant landscape here is robust, featuring local flavors prominently. Notable establishments include Stillwater, housed in an 1830 flour mill near Cataract Gorge, and the hearty dishes at Black Cow Bistro, known for its premium cuts like Robbins Island wagyu and Cape Grim beef.

Even the vineyards are embracing the culinary scene, with fine dining experiences nestled within cellar doors. The restaurant at Josef Chromy Wines in Relbia has earned a prestigious ‘hat’ recognition, while Timbre showcases local ingredients with stunning views over kanamaluka/River Tamar from Velo Wines.

For a delightful breakfast or brunch, kickstart your day at Earthy Eats, emphasizing local, sustainable ingredients, or head to Bread + Butter, located in a repurposed motorcycle warehouse where they craft their namesake items on-site.

Cataract Gorge

Picture the throngs of tourists if a deep, rugged gorge were just 500m from the center of New York, Tokyo, or any other major city. This is the unique advantage Launceston enjoys, with the South Esk River cutting through the hills to create the stunning Cataract Gorge.

Serving as Launceston’s central attraction, the gorge features an array of walking trails. Venture upstream to the historic Duck Reach Power Station—one of the earliest hydroelectric plants in the world—located 3km within the gorge, then retrace your steps to First Basin, where most activities occur.

Nestled in its grounds is an outdoor public swimming pool (open from November to March), while the world's longest single-span chairlift glides across the river. At the other end, amidst wallabies and peacocks, Gorge Restaurant adds flair to your gorge experience with high tea or lunch.

Kayakers navigate the rapids during water releases from the upstream dam, and daily boat trips with Tamar River Cruises explore the gorge, offering a unique water perspective.

Tamar Valley wineries

Tasmania produces just 1% of Australia's wine, but it's top-notch and most concentrated in the Tamar Valley, extending north from Launceston. This compact wine region is elegantly divided by the kanamaluka/ River Tamar, making it delightful to tour and sample.

The Tamar Wine Route features about 30 cellar doors, from the cozy Swinging Gate with its friendly dog Nellie (once featured on a winery dog book cover) to the architecturally unique Stoney Rise. Visit one of the Tamar Valley's wine pioneers, Andrew Pirie, at the appointment-only Apogee, and don't miss the chance to feed apples to the house pig (Pinot d’Pig) at Holm Oak.

Pinot noir reigns supreme in this cool-climate area, but you'll find a diverse range of varietals. Sparkling wines shine particularly around Pipers Brook on the east bank, boasting world-class quality. Notably, House of Arras’s 2004 EJ Carr Late Disgorged was named the world's best sparkling in 2020, and its winemaker, Ed Carr, was honored as Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in 2024, marking a rare win for a non-French producer.

Plan your wine adventure in two segments: a trip along the west bank spans about 100km, while a circuit through the east bank and Pipers Brook extends to 150km.

My top activity in Launceston and the Tamar Valley

It's hard to resist wandering through Cataract Gorge when I'm in Launceston, yet I'm often lured north—downstream into the Tamar Valley—where adventure awaits.

Narawntapu National Park is known as the 'Serengeti of Australia'—an imaginative title, but its expansive clearings at Springlawn are alive with wallabies and Forester kangaroos during dawn and dusk. The pristine sands of Bakers Beach and Badger Beach are an added sandy delight.

Atop the kanamaluka/ River Tamar, the wildlife experience continues at Platypus House. Despite its name, the peculiar platypus often takes a backseat to the echidnas—visit during feeding time and you'll find them nearly scrambling over your feet.

Cross the river to Low Head at sunset, where the stars of the show are little penguins waddling ashore on a small beach frequented by Low Head Penguin Tours. You might even feel their tiny feet pattering against your toes.

What budget should I plan for my time in Launceston and the Tamar Valley?

While Launceston and the Tamar Valley may not boast the highest-end accommodations, there’s a delightful range from quality hotels to glamping among the vines, as well as basic beachside camping at Narawntapu National Park.

Dining quality reflects Tasmania's rise as a premium food producer, but with so many outdoor activities available, daytime exploration can be quite budget-friendly.

• National park campground: AU$13 per site
• Dormitory bed in a hostel: AU$20
• Hotel room: starting from AU$110
• Public transport ticket: approximately AU$1.70 per bus ride
• Coffee: AU$5
• Pub meal: AU$20
• Dinner at a fine restaurant: AU$75
• Pint of craft beer: AU$11

Always pack plenty of layers, regardless of the season.

A true Tasmanian is never without a jumper, as the weather can change dramatically and quickly. On sunny days, temperatures often feel warmer than they are, but once it gets chilly, everyone reaches for their ‘Tassie tuxedo’—the local term for a down jacket.

What’s in a name?

To win the hearts of Launceston locals, make sure to pronounce their city correctly: it’s 'lon-cess-ton.'

Skiing here is more about heading out than staying in.

Launceston is the nearest city to Tasmania’s top ski destination, Ben Lomond, located just an hour's drive away. However, due to Tasmania’s maritime climate, heavy snowfalls are rare, and conditions can be unpredictable. Typically, there are only a handful of ski days each winter, so be sure to check the conditions in advance if you’re planning to hit the slopes.