Delightful Launceston: Gateway to the Valley of the Senses in Northern Tasmania

The major regional centre of Launceston is located at the junction of three rivers: Tamar, North Esk, and South Esk, in the North Central Region of Tasmania. Launceston is a heritage, entertainment and amusement hub with vibrant taverns, clubs, theatre venues, creative arts pursuits, cafes, restaurants and beautiful open parks running all along the stream banks. Launceston is the second biggest city in Tasmania and is established about 60 km inland from Beauty Point at the mouth of long and wide waters of the Tamar River estuary that drains into Bass Strait.

Launceston has its own airport and is just a short drive from Devonport where the Spirit of Tasmania vehicular ferries docks, bringing tourists from Melbourne on the mainland. Launceston is a pleasant 200 km drive north of Hobart. Launceston is the gateway to all the tourist delights of northern Tasmania including the world renowned Tasmanian cool-climate wines with numerous wine makers dotted along of the Tamar Valley.

Use the local maps and get advice from the locals before enjoying exploring the Tamar Valley Wine Route and the many cellar doors in the region offering tastings of their outstanding regional wines and fresh farm produce.

Launceston has a magnificent variety of places to stay and use as a base to explore the town`s heritage buildings and natural enticements of the Tamar Valley, which is known as the Valley of the Senses.

You can enjoy staying at the many beachfront apartments and houses on the coast and along the estuary. You can stroll along the stylish streets of Launceston dotted with Art Deco buildings and other heritage-listed structures.

Enjoy the charming redevelopments such as the Launceston Seaport, with its beachfront cafes, bistros, taverns and amusement venues. Stroll along the boardwalk to the Queen Victoria Museum and Inveresk. Nature lovers can relish an intriguing stream cruise to discover the Tamar River and wetlands in the area. There are many things to do and see in Launcestion and the North Central Region of Tasmania.

From Launceston you can visit numerous local nature reserves such as Narawntapu. Ben Lomond National Park boasts rock climbing, bushwalking, mountain bike trails, camping reserves,and skiing and other snow sports in winter. The more adventurous can enjoy abseiling and rock climbing and in the Cataract Gorge, which is a spectacular natural locality just a couple of minutes from the City Centre.

Excellent bushwalking and mountain bike trails and cable-hang gliding are availabe at Trevallyn State Reserve. Some of the well liked tourist enticements in the locality are: Franklin House, Boag`s Brewery and Seahorse World (at Beauty Point).

The most well liked entertainment gigs in Launceston are:

• Royal Oak Hotel which many backpackers and tourists consider the best tavern in Launceston with excellent meals and live music from Wednesday to Sunday night.
  
• The James Hotel boasts interstate and local acoustic artists, DJs and full-blown rock acts.
  
• Irish Murphy`s and the Tonic Bar offer live music acts most nights of the week.
  
• Other venues are the Princess Theatre, Silverdome, Stillwater, Launceston Jazz Club, Village Cinemas.
  
• Country Club Tasmania, located minutes from Launceston`s CBD offers wonderful dining, luxury resort accommodation, relaxation facilities, golf course and a variety of other recreational facilities.