12 Best Things to Do in Launceston, Australia: Your Vacation Guide 2024

The Cataract Gorge can be crossed via a record-breaking chairlift, while around the city there is a lot of design harking back to Launceston’s early 19th-century origins. Launceston can also be a place to get out into Tasmania’s fabled wilderness, cruising along the Tamar River or traveling to the iconic Cradle Mountain. Below are the top 10 things to do in Launceston, Australia, Book Australia Tour packages to make the most out of your trip.

Also read: Best Things to Do in Hobart

12 Things to Do in Launceston

The 10 things to do in Launceston handpicked from our end has been listed down for your easy reference.

Cataract Gorge
Cataract Gorge Chairlift
Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
Boag’s Brewery
City Park
Alexandra Suspension Bridge
Tamar Island Wetlands
Franklin House
Lilydale Falls
National Automobile Museum of Tasmania
Hollybank Wilderness Adventure
Josef Chromy wines in Launceston

1. Cataract Gorge

Topping the list of 10 things to do in Launceston is the Cataract Gorge. Not many cities can say they have got a grand gorge only 15 minutes on foot from their central business district. The first European known to have fallen upon the Cataract Gorge was early settler William Collins in 1804. Nowadays, this fully operated tourist attraction features a swimming pool, chairlift, funicular railway, scenic suspension bridge and many more. Walking through bushland, you can view the gorge’s rocky walls and the arena-like bowl of the First Basin from walking tracks and scenic lookouts. On top, you will come to the old Duck Reach Power Station, which has been turned into an interpretation centre for this one-of-a-kind place.

2. Cataract Gorge Chairlift

Worthy of its own section is the gorge’s chairlift it is officially the longest single-span chairlift in the world. Opened in 1972 with a length of 457 metres, and that record-breaking span is 308 metres, unbroken by columns. You will also get spellbinding views of the gorge, South Esk River and the First Basin, with its wooded bowl of hills. The ride also speeds you through the gorge’s magical landscaped parkland, overflowing with tree rhododendrons and ferns. The chairlift goes slow to give you all the time you need to collect memories from this place.

3. Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Launceston houses the largest museum in Australia. This has two places – one at the Royal Park Art Gallery from 1891, and the industry-oriented railway workshop from the 1870s at Inveresk. Here, you can analyse art and objects from the colonial era, as well as modern design. You can view an enthralling display of a complete Chinese temple, built in the 1880s by migrant tin miners and replete with artefacts relating to the Chinese community that moved to northeast Tasmania for work. The Inveresk site displays the contents of Australia’s oldest merchant shipwreck, dinosaur fossils, historic aircraft and many more. Furthermore, history-lovers must have this museum in their list of 10 things to do in Launceston.

Also read: Best Places To Visit In Tasmania

4. Boag’s Brewery

This Launceston brewery was established in 1881 by James Boag 1, a Scottish immigrant who had arrived in Australia some 30 years before. The last Boag working in the business stopped as recently as 1976. It is a big employer in Launceston which produces upwards of 8,00,00,000 litres yearly. As for its beers, Boag Draught has been made since the 1880s, a few other more recent varieties and a host of limited editions and Tasmanian specific brews. You can choose any tour to explore the place and set off from the James Boag Brewery Experience, housed in the old Lake Dog Hotel from 1826. On the 90-minute adventure, you will discover beer’s journey and get to taste three labels from Boag’s range.

Also read: 8 Famous Australian Drinks

Boag’s Brewery — **Credits – Wikimedia**

5. City Park

As of 2024 Launceston’s main city park has been around in some style for 200 years. This was initially a botanical garden for the Launceston Horticultural Society, before being taken over by the city council in the 1860s and adopting the old name, People’s Park. The elegant Park Caretakers Cottage, now the HQ for City Park Radio, is a holdover from the early days and has wisteria vines that were planted in 1837.

City Park retains its historic character, with buildings and amenities like the John Hart Conservatory, the bandstand and the intricate cast-iron Jubilee Fountain. The park is bound with themed gardens and even has a “Monkey Island”, with a colony of macaques separated from the public by a moat and glass screen. Do not miss out on this place when you are travelling especially with children. There is no reason for people not to include this in their 10 things to do in Launceston.

Also read: Things to do in Brisbane with kids

6. Alexandra Suspension Bridge

Approximately ten minutes from the car park at Cataract Gorge, you will come to this impressive suspension bridge first completed in 1904. The bridge is 67 metres long and strengthened by two steel towers on either side of the gorge. First bridge was washed away by floods in 1929 then rebuilt in 1955 and retooled in 2004 to celebrate its anniversary. There are information boards conveying the bridge’s history. Walking the span, there is an excellent view along the gorge and over the First Basin to the north. The way is small, but wide enough for two people to pass side-by-side, though you may notice some swaying.

7. Tamar Island Wetlands

On the edge of town, Launceston is honoured with an urban wetland ecosystem made up of islands, lagoons and mudflats. This is a key environment for many species of birds, amphibians, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Among the 60 different birds listed at the wetlands are several duck species, swans, cormorants, swamp harriers, egrets, as well as migrants from the northern hemisphere like the common greenshank. There is an analysis centre detailing the site’s sensitive ecology and cultural history. From this place, you can set off along the boardwalk where there is also a bird hide for some bird-spotting.

Also read: Things to do in Fraser Island

8. Franklin House

The only historic house museum in Launceston is this convict-built Georgian house, now cared for by the Tasmanian National Trust. Commissioned by the brewer, innkeeper and former convict Britton Jones in 1838, later became a school for boys post-expansion. An impressive Ionic porch greets you at the entrance. You can see the interior, filled with period furniture and decorative arts. It is famous for its wide use of imported Australian red cedar.

9. Lilydale Falls

A simple but rewarding journey from Launceston, Lilydale Falls is on the Second River in the countryside to the north of the city. There are actually two waterfalls in the reserve, falling into mossy, fern-wreathed pools and accessed through stairs and viewing platforms. The lower waterfall is the taller of the pair, at just shy of ten metres, while a path will lead you up to the second one, at around five metres tall. Both continue to flow in years with low rainfall, and are also made more picturesque by their rich wooded surroundings.

10. National Automobile Museum of Tasmania

Last in the list of 10 things to do in Launceston is “The National Automobile Museum of Tasmania”. It was first opened in 1987 by famous racing car engineer Geoff Smedley and his partner Sylvia. From an E-Type Jaguar to a whole fleet of motorcycles, the museum’s collection traverses more than a century. It also accompanies each exhibit with a helpful informative plaque.

11. Hollybank Wilderness Adventure

Some of you must be wondering if there’s anything fun to do in Launceston. Yes, there is. The Hollybank Wilderness Adventure is a whole new way of exploring the Tasmanian forests. There are multiple thrill-seeking outdoor adventure sports for all you adventure junkies. This place is for sure one of the best things to do in Launceston.

The best way to combine adventure and scenery is by taking the 2.5-hour zipline adventure, wherein, you will take off on a thrilling adventure by zipping from tree to tree in a canopy. Yet another adventure that combines thrill and nature is the self-guided rope course that lets you cross wobbly bridges, crawl through nets, and balance a tightrope. You can also choose mountain biking, and segway tours to explore the wilderness.

12. Josef Chromy wines in Launceston

When in Australia, grab a glass of wine. And when in Tasmania, grab a glass of wine from Josef Chromy Wines. Located just south of Launceston, Josef Chromy Winery is one of the finest cellar doors in Australia. You’ll not only fall in love with their award-winning wines but also with the gourmet restaurant and stunning scenery.

So really excited after reading through the 10 things to do in Launceston. Pack your bags and book a trip to Australia with Pickyourtrail. Have a wonderful trip to Australia with your family. Leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options! You can also download the Pickyourtrail app for further details.