Of all the time spent in Tasmania that one Summer time, and having visited both Hobart and Launceston, it is limpid to me now to consolidate my thoughts- these two cities give off totally different vibes.
On one hand, Hobart gives me the rich historic, at times shuddering, blast- into- the- past vibe. When I think Hobart, I think Port Arthur immediately. Then images of the penal settlement and all those that comes with it, came sloshing back into my head.
Click on the links for more detailed articles on Port Arthur and on the things to do in Hobart!
Sights & Sounds: Tessellated Pavement State Reserve, Port Arthur
Sights & Sounds: Historic Site, Port Arthur
Sights & Sounds: Coal Mines Historic Site, Port Arthur
Treks: Cape Raoul, Port Arthur
And on the other hand, Launceston gives me the bonanza- of- nature vibe. When I think Launceston, I think Cradle Mountain. I think of all the trek trails I had been on. How invigorated I was, and how honestly just plain happy I was. It is simply amazing that a simple activity in the woods can be so galvanising.
It is quite an enigma to why Taylor Swift kept asking if she was ‘Out Of The Woods Yet?’, when I would love to spend more time In The Woods. Huh… Huh…Get it? Get it? Out Of The Woods, and wanting back Into The Woods? No? Okay, was talking baloney. 😀
(And here right now, is an episode of how I really do love T.Swift. Evidence of my hopeless excuse to try to infuse her lyrics into this article. HHhhmm… …)
Alrighty, back to topic. So by now, you should have roughly guessed which part of Launceston is my favourite! Cradle Mountain; if you hadn’t already guessed so! 😀 But Launceston is way too huge to concentrate on only one favourite! That’s just so much one can do, and worth doing! So here are my Top 5 MUST DOs in Launceston Tasmania! Let’s spiel… …
Cataract Gorge
|
Rating |
🙂 🙂 🙂 |
|
Length of Visit |
3 – 4 hours; depending on whether you just want to have a short leisure saunter or if you want to do the simple trek trails; which is longer. |
|
Admission Fee |
FOC |
| Visitation Suitability |
Everyone & Anyone who loves nature. Awesome for family gatherings. |
The Gorge is located strategically within walking distance from Launceston CBD. This site is the perfect place to spend a day at. With easy grade walking trails options, it is basically a place for light trekking within the city’s vicinity! Super convenient and totally awesome-making! Nature within the city? Say what now?!
The Gorge has facilities like the world’s longest single span chairlift, the outdoor swimming pool, and my personal favourite- the iconic Alexandra Suspension Bridge; because it makes the perfect photo backdrop! Haha…! How typical, I know.
With treks trails that cater to people with varied level of fitness, the Gorge is very family-friendly. There is even a play area for kids too!
Lunch at the First Basin Café is also a great food option with views overlooking the outdoor swimming pool and the open greenery. With hindsight, after a nice walk to sweat it out, this eatery is the place to be at to binge on some good food to satisfy those voracious pangs.
With The Gorge offering cliffs of nature beauty and being so accessible, no wonder this is a MUST DO in Launceston!
Click on the link for a more detailed article on The Gorge!
Sights & Sounds: Cataract Gorge, Launceston
Wineglass Bay
|
Rating |
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
|
Length of Visit |
1 full day (inclusive of beach time! Yay! :D) |
|
Admission Fee |
AUS $12 – $123; pricings are for adult national park passes of different categories. Click on National Park Passes for more information. |
| Visitation Suitability |
Nature Lovers. Trekking Lovers. Beach Lovers. |
With its curved circumference of a coastal beachline that may take on the shape of the bottom of a wineglass, it’s my personal speculation that its name is given because of the very obvious reason? This walk gives you the best of both worlds. Why so? Let me illuminate you.
Image taken from: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=1478
Firstly, the walk from Wineglass Bay Carpark to the Lookout will give you a pseudo aerial view of the beach and the vast sea! The crystal clear waters of blue that glistens under the strong afternoon rays, along with the curved coastal beachline from the lookout is totally a site for a lunch respite with a view! This is something no luncheons at fancy restaurants can beat, now can they?
Secondly, the expedition down to the beach will give you the opportunity to reward yourself for all the arduous trekking. Unwind on the coastal sand, meander along the white sandy beach, or take a dip in the luminous waters? Your pick!
We definitely spend a teeny bit more time on the beach before heading back! I am sure we all deserve it. 😀
Hence, a tip? Do start off the trek early, so you have more buffer time to spend chilling by the amazing beach! You honestly will not regret it!
A day spend trekking and some beach time? This seriously got to be the way to have it all- a MUST DO in Launceston!
Bridestowe Lavender Estate
|
Rating |
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
|
Length of Visit |
2 – 3 hours |
|
Admission Fee |
AUS $7.50/pax during the period of lavender blooming (1st Dec – 31st Jan). |
| Visitation Suitability |
All those who love to embrace the floral field or those who want a chillax at the café with a mind-blowing purple vista as the backdrop. (First-timers to a floral field patch will be awed. Trust me. Been there, felt that!) |
This lavender estate is just an ethereal beauty. With the vast field of purple and a peripheral vision of distance fogged mountains, this place is just perfect to spend a quiet morning along aside a cuppa at the café. I do suggest an outdoor sitting to placate the enthralling jolt of the calming purple field.
There’s quite a few places to explore within the estate. The distillery over at the wooden shed operates after the lavender blooming period. I reckon it is worth a pop by.
Of course, the star attraction would imperatively be the transcendent purple hues. The best time to visit this sight would be during the Summer months. December to January would be lovely!
Mesmerising picturesque landscape? Check! A café option for chilling. Check! What more could one ask for to spend a thwart-stress day! Definitely a MUST DO in Launceston!
Click on the link for a more detailed article on Bridestowe Lavender Estate:
Sights & Sounds: Bridestowe Lavender Estate, Launceston
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtGUSN9x6ic&list=PLTQHYLfXkzDVhuFvsqBqcBUcUKKhf2TWt&index=2[/youtube]
Bay Of Fires
|
Rating |
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
|
Length of Visit |
1 – 2 hours |
| Admission Fee |
FOC |
| Visitation Suitability |
Those who love a beach that has a tint of orange feistiness. |
This sight is definitely worth a come by especially at sunset. The orange rays from the sun enhances the tint on the rocks, making the colour all the more conspicuous. Love it!
The Bay of Fires will impinge on you a whole new level of beach waves crushing rocks. The sea breeze howling, crashing waves serenading and the orange lichen that encrust the rocks makes meandering through it, all the more adventurous!
This is undoubtedly the best way to end off the day exploring; a MUST DO in Launceston to unwind!
Click on the link for a more detailed article on the Bay of Fires!
Sights & Sounds: Bay of Fires, Launceston
Cradle Mountain
|
Rating |
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 |
|
Length of Visit |
4 – 5 days |
| Admission Fee |
AUS $16.50 – $123; pricings are for adult national park passes of different categories. Click on National Park Passes for more information |
| Visitation Suitability |
Nature Lovers. Trekking Lovers. |
So I have saved the best for last. And yes! I adore the Cradle Mountain region most. It was probably the highlight of the entire Launceston vacation. With so many amazing trek trail options that all seem so enticing, my only regret was not being able to spend more time to explore.
The exuberant trekking trips on the various trails available just makes me want to implode with excitement when reminiscing them. With the walks through alpine rainforest and endless vistas that comes with every trekking trip, it is no wonder this region is dub a ‘walkers’ paradise’!
The world famous Cradle Mountain with Dove Lake just sprawling at its foot is an iconic photo to take home. An approximately 3.5 hours (with plenty of time to snap pictures and for lunch) trekking odyssey around the Lake will give you different angular perspectives of the Cradle Mountain zenith.
Canoeing trips provided by Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge during the Summer is also another alternative to have the Mountain experience to remember forever!
During a hot Summer’s day, the spires of the Mountain against the cloudless cerulean sky is the perfect wallpaper! So how can I not say this is a DEFINITE MUST DO in Launceston!
Click on the URLs for more detailed articles on the Cradle Mountain region, YOU WON’T REGRET!
Treks: Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain
Treks: Dove Lake And Canoeing, Cradle Mountain
Treks: Marions Lookout, Cradle Mountain
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqMbbYBh164&list=PLTQHYLfXkzDVhuFvsqBqcBUcUKKhf2TWt&index=1[/youtube]
So there it is, a list of Top 5 MUST DOs in Launceston Tasmania where I am able to say with conviction that you will bound to make the trip to Launceston all worth your ride!
Hope this helps! And remember to Travel Whenever!
Dee
