Launceston
Tasmania's Northern City and Tamar Valley Gateway
On the lands of the Letteremairrener people.
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Tasmania's second-largest city, on the Tamar River in the north of the state. Launceston is famous for Cataract Gorge (a wild river canyon a 15 minute walk from the CBD) and the Tamar Valley wine region just upstream.
Launceston was founded in 1806, making it Australia's third-oldest city after Sydney and Hobart. It sits at the confluence of the North Esk and South Esk rivers, where they form the Tamar Estuary that flows north for 70 kilometres to the Bass Strait.
Cataract Gorge, a wild river canyon carved by the South Esk River, sits within walking distance of the city centre. The 15 minute walk from town to the First Basin lookout is one of the great urban approaches in Australia. The basin has a chairlift across it (the longest single-span chairlift in the southern hemisphere) and a Victorian-era swimming pool. The gorge walking track continues upstream into wilder country.
The Tamar Valley north of the city is one of Tasmania's three main wine regions, known particularly for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines made by traditional method. The 170 kilometre Tamar Valley Wine Route loops through the cellar doors and the historic town of George Town at the river mouth.
The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is the largest regional museum in Australia.
Tourist locations
Places to visit in Launceston.
6 locations to explore
Cataract Gorge Reserve
Wild gorge at the city's edge
Reserve free. Chairlift: $20 adult return, $15 one-way; $12 child (3-15) return
Full guide arrow_forwardCity Park and Japanese Macaque Enclosure
Heritage park meets Japanese monkeys
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardJames Boag Brewery Experience
A living piece of brewing history
$33 adult, $28 concession, $15 child (5-17)
Full guide arrow_forwardQueen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
Australia's largest regional museum
Free. Planetarium and selected events: fee applies
Full guide arrow_forwardTamar Island Wetlands Centre
Boardwalk through tidal wetlands
Entry by donation
Full guide arrow_forwardTamar River Cruises
Scenic cruising from city to estuary
Gorge cruise from $45 adult; longer cruises from $129 adult
Full guide arrow_forwardThings to do
Recommended Experiences
2 bookable experiences at or near Launceston.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Launceston.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content (1)
Images (3)
- Launceston-Tasmania-Australia05.JPG · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston.jpg · Jeanie Mackinder · CC BY 2.0
- Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston 20190424-001.jpg · Gary Houston · CC0
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