Launceston - Places to See

1. Historic Buildings
The best way to explore Launceston's historic past is to get a copy of 'Walk About Launceston' produced by the City Architect and Planner's Department. It nominates 25 places (including Cataract Gorge) concentrated in central Launceston and offers a comprehensive overview of the city's magnificent architecture. The walk passes starts at Brisbane Street Mall and includes F & W Stewart, an interesting 19th century jewellers and the Tasmania Hotel, a Georgian Hotel near the city centre. It continues through Princes Square (an extraordinary square where, during the 19th century there was a hot air balloon attempt, two bushrangers were hanged and the fountain, purchased from the Paris Exhibition of 1858, had to be changed because the locals objected to the half-naked nymph - she was replaced by a pineapple).

It moves on to Morton House (a two storey Georgian House originally known as St John's Hospital where, in 1847, the first use of anaesthetic in Australia occurred), Drysdale House (a Queen Anne/Georgian building), Milton Hall (built in 1842 and first used as St John's Square Chapel), through rows of Georgian houses, to the Synagogue which was built in 1844. It is characterised by a public facade which was typical of the Egyptian revival period of architecture at the time.

Other attractions on the walk include Quadrant Mall (surrounded by a number of attractive late 19th century buildings including the City Hotel (1870s) and ANZ Bank (1880s), the Launceston Hotel (which claims to have the oldest continuous licence in Australia which was granted to Dicky Hall, a former highwayman, in 1814), a terrace of Victorian shops between 78-86 George Street, the Brewery Oast House, the huge Monds and Affleck Mill (built 1860), the substantial Customs House (1885), Johnstone and Wilmots store (1842) in St John Street, the Town Hall and Post Office and the complex of Public Buildings fronting Cameron, St John and Paterson Streets. The true enjoyment of Launceston is to take your time, linger at each building, and try and imagine what this remarkable city was like in the 1880s and 1890s.

Historic Highlights in Central Launceston
If you are limited by time the buildings worthy of particular attention include:

(a) Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery - an excellent museum which offers an insight into the history of Launceston including both its Aboriginal and convict past. It opened in 1891 and is considered one of the best regional museums in Australia. http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/

(b) Prince's Square - surely the finest and most impressive of all the city's squares it is notable for its fountain and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings.

(c) Macquarie House - now part of the Queen Victoria Museum it was built by the local merchant, Henry Reed, in 1830. The museum is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. It specialises in the history of Launceston. Details: (03) 6331 6777.

(d) Batman Faulkner Inn - Originally known as the Cornwall Hotel - it was here that John Batman and his friends met and decided to cross Bass Strait and establish the new colony which would eventually become Melbourne. http://www.batmanfawknerinn.com/

2. Cataract Gorge.
An exceptionally beautiful park characterised by a chairlift across the basin, excellent nature walks through the surrounding bush, excellent views and a range of facilities including a kiosk, restaurant, swimming pool. There is also a pleasant walk across a suspension bridge, a bandstand and a wide range of flora including the South Esk pine, Bull Oak and some very old lime and cypress trees. The area was developed in 1899 with the first suspension bridge being built in 1904. Not surprisingly Cataract Gorge is Launceston's most popular destination for family picnics. It is a unique and pleasant destination which is open from early morning to late in the evening with the hours shortened in the winter months. You should get a map, or very clear instructions, as the route to the car park from York Street is a little complex. For more information check out: http://www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au/

3. Tourist Attractions
(a) Penny Royal World
This is a tourist attraction based on the original Penny Royal Windmill which was built in 1840. Completed in the 1970s, it now comprises accommodation and reconstructed 19th century mills and attractions. There is a 16.5 metre windmill, a fort, a gunpowder mill, a paddlesteamer and a cannon foundry. The Penny Royal Watermill was built at Barton, near Cressy, 54 km from Launceston and was moved to its current site in 1973. The Penny Royal Cornmill is a working replica of the original, built in 1825. Visitors can see the mill moving the grinding stones. This is basically a theme park offering a variety 19th century mills and activities. As part of the attraction there is an historic Launceston tram (the No.16) which operates every ten minutes between the watermill and the windmill. Also the Lad Stelfox paddlesteamer offers a 45 minute cruise of the Tamar River and Cataract Gorge. For further information contact (03) 6331 6699.