Things to Do in Launceston, Australia

Launceston Things to Do

Launceston, a city in northern Tasmania, Australia, is a riverside city famous for its gorgeous Cataract Gorge and its panoramic views, sculpted gardens, outstanding walking trails and enthralling chairlift. You will experience fresh Tasmanian history from the Queen Victoria Museum, the wonderful gorge and royal parks along Tamar River.

Visit the Cataract Gorge

You cannot afford to miss the Cataract Gorge if you are a visitor in Launceston. The city was established here because the boats could not navigate any further upstream the Tamar river which wide but shallow. There is a natural bush with spectacular gorge running through, a home to many seemingly very tame wallabies and other wild life. There is also a basin and cliff with a beautiful oasis of ornamental trees.

Visit Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre

This is a gold mine which is approximately 42 kilometers north of Launceston at Beaconsfield collapsed in 2006, 950 meters underground and killed one miner, trapping two others Todd Russell and Brent Webb for a fortnight. The mine closed down for a year and re-opened as the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Today, it is a major tourist drawcard for the town. This is a must-go site to see the mine rescue, life and times exhibitions, the ruin site and Mine Holographic Experience.

Visit the City Park

This is an excellent site to visit and a lovely park to boot. There is a design center and John Hart Conservatory where you will find beautiful orchids and Japanese macaque monkeys. There is also the Launceston’s architectural delight at one edge and the Albert Hall in the other.

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

This Victorian building was opened in 1891 as Launceston’s Museum and Art Gallery. At the same time it re-installed the popular Guan-di Temple which holds stuff from many temples in north east Tasmania that were located in mining towns in the 19th and 20th centuries. There is also a special place for kids.

Experience Princes Square

The site was set aside as a park in 1826 and developed in the late 1850s. Prince’s Square, formerly a brickfield venue for military drills and rowdy political meetings features lots of trees dating back to 1800s, planted by members of the Royal family.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Launceston.