This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2019. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
Launceston might not get quite as much attention as Hobart, but Tasmania’s second-largest city has plenty going for it.
With beautiful heritage buildings, excellent food and coffee, and one of the state’s most spectacular natural attractions just minutes from the city centre, it’s a great place to spend a weekend.
Having grown up in Hobart, I’ve visited Launceston numerous times over the years. My husband and I spent a weekend exploring the city and nearby Tamar Valley in 2019, and on our most recent trip in 2026, we returned with our two young kids. It was a chance to revisit some old favourites and finally try a few activities I’d never managed to do before.
I’ve put together this weekend itinerary based on my visits, sharing my favourite things to do in Launceston, along with recommendations for places to eat, where to stay, and practical tips to help you make the most of your time in the city.
Quick summary:
Launceston is a fantastic destination for a weekend getaway in northern Tasmania. This two-day itinerary covers the city’s best attractions, from scenic natural wonders to historic landmarks, along with my favourite places to eat and drink, accommodation recommendations, and tips for planning your visit.
Recommended tours & experiences:
🛥️ Cataract Gorge Cruise – See Launceston from the water on a relaxing cruise into the gorge.
🍷 Tamar Valley Wine Tour with Lunch – Sample Tasmania’s best wines on a day tour with lunch and transport included.
🚐 Cradle Mountain Day Trip from Launceston – Visit one of Tasmania’s top national parks on a popular day tour.
🛏️ Stay at: Peppers Silo Hotel – Spend the night in a unique waterfront hotel housed inside Launceston’s historic converted grain silos.
Getting to Launceston
Launceston is Tasmania’s northern hub, with direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane arriving daily. The airport is small and easy to navigate, and it’s only about a 15-minute drive from the city centre.
If you’re planning to hire a car, you can collect one directly from the airport terminal. I’ve done this on my last two visits to Launceston, and it’s been a really convenient way to get around, especially when travelling with kids.
If you’re driving from Hobart, allow around 2.5 hours along the Midlands Highway, which passes through some lovely Tasmanian countryside and historic towns. Launceston also makes a great starting or finishing point for a longer Tasmania road trip.
How to get around Launceston
Launceston is a fairly compact city, so you can easily explore the downtown area on foot. Many of the main attractions, cafés and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, although the city does have a few hills!
Having a rental car is handy for visiting attractions a little further out, such as Cataract Gorge, and especially if you’re planning any day trips outside the city. Parking is generally straightforward, with plenty of paid parking options around the city centre.
If you’d rather not drive, you can use taxis or rideshares to reach attractions outside the downtown area. There are also guided tours departing from Launceston, which can be a convenient alternative if you’re planning to explore the surrounding region.
Day 1: Explore Launceston’s city highlights
Morning: City Park
Start your first morning in Launceston with a wander through City Park, a lovely green space in the heart of the city. I’ve visited this park countless times over the years, and it’s always one of my favourite places to stop when I’m in town.
The park is home to some beautiful historic buildings, including Albert Hall (built in 1891) and the John Hart Conservatory (built in 1932). On my most recent visit, I stepped inside the conservatory to admire its gorgeous architecture and collection of tropical plants.
You’ll also find an enclosure of Japanese macaque monkeys, which might seem a little unusual in Tasmania! The monkeys were originally gifted to Launceston in 1965 by its sister city, Ikeda, in Japan. I always make a point of stopping by to see them whenever I’m in Launceston, and the enclosure is free to view.
Just a short walk from City Park is the historic James Boag Brewery, which has been producing locally brewed beer in Launceston since 1881.
I’ve done plenty of brewery tours over the years, including the famous Cascade Brewery in Hobart, but somehow Boags is one that has always eluded me! I swear I’ll get around to it next time I’m in town.
Still, the James Boag Brewery Tour is a popular activity for first-time visitors to Launceston, offering a glimpse into the city’s industrial past and the history of one of Tasmania’s best-known beers.
The brewery also has a newly renovated tasting room across the road, where you can sample the goods without committing to the full tour if you’re short on time.
Lunch: Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew
For lunch, head to Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew, a gorgeous café tucked away in the heart of Launceston. The building was once the city’s first cinema, and the former laneway has been transformed into a spacious, light-filled café with stylish interiors.
I stopped here for brunch on my most recent visit and ordered the raspberry pancakes with a soy latte. The food was beautifully presented, the service was great, and I loved the way the historic building had been decorated. Definitely a good spot if you’re wandering around downtown Launceston and looking for a fancy brunch!
Another café worth checking out is Bread + Butter, which has some seriously delightful croissants. We stopped in here during our trip too, and I’d highly recommend grabbing a pastry and coffee if you’re after something lighter.
Afternoon: Cataract Gorge Reserve
Spend the afternoon exploring Cataract Gorge Reserve, which is just a short 5–10 minute drive from the city centre. The gorge is a natural space with attractions such as a scenic chairlift (which happens to be the world’s longest single span chairlift!), a public swimming pool, a suspension bridge, and hiking trails.
I’d suggest taking some comfy shoes and walking across the suspension bridge, taking some photos from Alexandra Lookout, then continuing to The Gorge Restaurant and Tearooms where you’ll find peacocks roaming around the gardens. From there, you can either take the chairlift back to the visitor center, or walk back via one of the walking tracks.
Day 2: Discover more of Launceston
Morning: Cataract Gorge Cruise
I really wanted to experience the Cataract Gorge Cruise by Tamar River Cruises before leaving Launceston, so I booked us in for the experience on our last day. This was an activity I’d never done before, but it’s a popular choice for visitors to the city.
The first half of the cruise took us along Launceston’s waterways and around the Seaport precinct, before passing under the historic Kings Bridge and heading between the towering cliffs of Cataract Gorge.
As we entered the gorge, the crew switched to an electric motor, which was so much quieter that we could actually hear the native birdsong echoing between the canyon walls. This part of the cruise in particular was really special!
🛥️ The Cataract Gorge Cruise takes place aboard the Lady Launceston, a charming 1890s-style vessel, and lasts less than an hour. With multiple departures throughout the day, it’s an easy activity to squeeze in between other city centre attractions.
I’d highly recommend it, even if you’ve already explored Cataract Gorge on foot. Seeing the cliffs from the water gives you a completely different perspective on this spectacular natural attraction.
Lunch: Du Cane Brewery
For lunch, head to Du Cane Brewery, a fantastic local brewery with a spacious dining area, a relaxed atmosphere and an excellent selection of wood-fired pizzas.
We stopped in here for lunch just before leaving for the airport on our most recent trip, and it was a great place for a meal. We ordered a traditional Margherita and The Forest, a broccoli pizza (that’s right, just like the one mentioned in the Disney film Inside Out), and it was seriously damn good!
The beer was also very nice. I tried a pilsner and a raspberry sour, both of which went down a treat alongside our pizzas.
Afternoon: Penny Royal Adventures
Just a short distance from Cataract Gorge is Penny Royal Adventures, a historic-themed attraction built around an old corn mill that was relocated to Launceston in the 1970s.
This place is mostly geared towards families with kids, with activities such as zip-lining, rock climbing, boat rides and gold panning. However, I think there’s still some enjoyment to be had here if you’re travelling without children!
There’s a restaurant and wine bar on site, so you could stop in for a meal or a drink, and perhaps hop on the Dark Ride if you want to try one of the attractions. The gold mining activity is also surprisingly entertaining — my mum especially loved doing this one when we visited!
If you’re looking for somewhere a little fancier to eat, Stillwater Restaurant is right next door. I’ve had this waterfront restaurant recommended to me several times, although I still haven’t managed to dine there myself. It’s a lovely option to consider if you’d like to finish your day with a special meal.
Have an extra day in Launceston?
If you’ve got some extra time in northern Tasmania, there are some fantastic places to explore beyond Launceston. Here are three day trips worth considering:
Tamar Valley
Just north of Launceston, the Tamar Valley is known for its cool-climate wineries, scenic river views and charming countryside. Spend a day exploring the vineyards, visiting Grindelwald Swiss Village and stopping at some of the region’s beautiful lookouts. I will post a Tamar Valley day trip itinerary on the blog soon.
🍷 Want to explore the Tamar Valley wineries without driving? Join a guided Tamar Valley Wine Tour from Launceston, with cellar door tastings, lunch and transport included!
Cradle Mountain
One of Tasmania’s most spectacular national parks, Cradle Mountain is around a two-hour drive from Launceston. You can spend the day exploring Dove Lake, enjoying short rainforest walks and spotting wildlife such as wombats. If you’d rather not drive, there are also guided day tours departing from Launceston.
🚐 If you don’t want to tackle the drive yourself, join a guided Cradle Mountain Day Tour from Launceston. Tours include transport, park entry, and time to explore highlights like Dove Lake, making them ideal if you’re short on time but don’t want to miss seeing Tasmania’s wilderness.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate
If you’re visiting Tasmania in summer, consider a trip to Bridestowe Lavender Estate, around 45–60 minutes northeast of Launceston. The lavender fields are particularly beautiful when they’re in bloom, usually from December to January, creating sweeping rows of purple flowers against the surrounding countryside.
Where to stay in Launceston
🛏️ If you’re looking for somewhere memorable to stay in Launceston, I’d suggest checking out Peppers Silo Hotel, a unique waterfront hotel housed inside a collection of converted grain silos.
I’d heard about this hotel during my time working in the tourism industry, but it wasn’t until my most recent trip to Launceston that I finally got to see it for myself. I attended a wedding reception in one of the function rooms on the lower floors, and some of the wedding guests were staying in rooms higher up in the building.
I imagine the views from those rooms would be spectacular, looking out over Launceston and the Tamar River! We also sailed right past the hotel on our Cataract Gorge cruise, and it’s certainly an impressive sight from the water.
The hotel is located within easy reach of Launceston’s city centre, making it a convenient base for exploring the attractions in this weekend itinerary.
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