Launceston City Tours

Launceston, Tasmania - where the living is easy. Situated at the head of the beautiful Tamar Valley wine growing region, few places in the world can match Launceston's natural and historic charm. The people of Launceston enjoy an enviable way of life that is at once relaxing and invigorating, a lifestyle centred around a climate similar to the south of France, the great outdoors, a vibrant events calendar and arts scene and our world-renowned local food and wine.

Founded in 1806, Launceston is the nation's third-oldest city with a fascinating history traced in its beautiful old buildings and streetscapes dating from early Colonial and convict times to Georgian and Victorian eras. Today these buildings are much valued by the community and admired by visitors, housing fashionable restaurants, cafes, banks, boutiques and high-tech businesses.

The city is situated where two rivers meet to become the Tamar on its way to the sea, and is famous for its ancient ravine cut into the hills by the South Esk River. This, Cataract Gorge, has been a major focus for Launceston's leisure time since the city's earliest days and is just a 15 minute walk from the city. You can stroll among the peacocks and rhododendrons in the Gorge Cliff Grounds and cross the river to the summer open-air swimming pool on the world's longest single-span chairlift (or take the suspension bridge). Eateries are situated on both sides of the Gorge and there are also many walking trails to explore.