Whether you’re seeking adventure or total relaxation, or perhaps a mixture of both, you will find what you’re looking for in Launceston. Here are a few of our favourite places to spend the weekend in one of Australia’s oldest cities.
Launceston City Park
Launceston City Park has plenty of things to explore and houses a wide range of attractions. There’s an enclosure full of macaque monkeys, a gift from Launceston’s sister city (Ikeda, Japan), and the John Hart Conservatory which has seasonal flower displays. There’s also the City Park Radio Station and a Radio Museum. Train rides and other entertainments are also on offer, so there’s plenty to do here.
Valleybrook Wine on Wheels
There are plenty of vineyard tours on offer and the Valleybrook Wine on Wheels is one of the best. With gourmet meals and access to “behind the scenes” experiences at Launceston’s best wineries you will be able to learn a lot about the wines of this region and enjoy some pampering while you’re at it.
Penny Royal Adventures
This colonial-era theme park has a vast array of things to do – there’s indoor and outdoor climbing walls, rope bridges, zip lines and cliff adventures for those looking for adventure. For history lovers there’s gold fossicking and a range of other themed activities to keep everyone entertained. The Brig Tamar Cruise is a family favourite, and after dark there are ghost tours too.
Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain is a World Heritage area and one of the most beautiful and scenic places on the globe. No matter what the season, there’s wondrous landscapes to see. There’s glacial lakes, cave networks, and of course the mountain itself with a wide range of options for people at all fitness levels to enjoy this amazing place.
Freycinet National Park
If you have the time, the three-day guided walking tour in the spectacular Freycinet National Park is well worth your time. See the pink granite peaks of the Hazard Ranges and the white beaches of Wineglass Bay. Wherever you look there is something amazing to see, and the park is home to black swans and other protected species. Camp on site or rent a cabin and spend a few days surrounded by nature.
