Launceston & the North blends history, scenery, adventure, and the superb flavours of fine food & wine. Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city. It is compact & pretty with colourful Victorian & Edwardian homes lining the hillsides along the river banks. From here, the broad Tamar River valley opens north to Bass Strait 50 kilometres (31 miles) away. The Tamar Valley Wine Route is Tasmania’s most productive and best-established wine region. Vines grow on gentle, sloping hills and long mellow autumn days ripen the grapes, adding unique cool-climate flavours to the widely acclaimed wines. To the south is the historic Heritage Highway pioneered in 1807. These days, you can drive from Launceston to Hobart in a couple of hours, But you’ll be missing some of the most stunning pastoral scenery and bypassing colonial towns & villages, where sandstone church spires overlook English oak, elm & chestnut trees, Georgian cottages line quiet streets, and stone bridges are reflected in leaf-dappled water.
When to Visit Launceston and the North
The most temperate and stable months are between October and March. Winter is a cold time to visit unless you stay close to the coast, but a great time to snuggle up in front of a roaring log fire. South-East of Launceston, is Tasmania's leading ski resort; Ben Lomond National Park.
Getting Around Launceston and the North
Launceston Airport is located just 16 km, (or approx 15 minutes drive) from the CBD.Launceston itself is serviced by a variety of public and private transport options including busses, taxies, bikes and other transportation. Consider joining a wine or cycling tour of the Tamar valley - with transport included. Alternatively you can do a lap of the Tamar Valley Wine Route in 3 ½ hours. That’s without stopping, but you wouldn’t want to do that. If you don’t bring your own car, there are plenty of opportunities to hire vehicles. Coach services link Launceston and Hobart via the Midland Highway.
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