Launceston is Tasmania’s second major city and a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture and nature. Just a short walk from the city centre, Cataract Gorge is a slice of wilderness right in the heart of town and Launceston’s star natural attraction.
There’s also plenty of culture on offer at art galleries, museums and design studios. The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is the largest regional gallery in Australia.
From Launceston, follow the Tamar River north through Tasmania’s premium wine-growing region, past forested hills and farmland, lavender fields, vineyards, orchards and pretty riverside towns. Historic villages are found around every corner, from Longford on the outskirts of Launceston to Evandale, Ross and Campbell Town along the Heritage Highway south.
For those interested in wildlife, nearby Narawntapu National Park provides many opportunities to see Australia’s unique animals.
Image credits: Flow Mountain Bike, Jess Bonde, S Group, James Burke, Cultivate Productions, Tourism Tasmania