Tasmania – Launceston and the North

Mid-January 2025

Launceston, the gateway to the Tamar Valley, is one of Australia's first European settlements. Along the Tamar River are the Tamar Wetland, small wine estates, and gin/whisky distilleries.

The Cataract Gorge is a 2-kilometer-long canyon that invites you to hike or take a boat tour. You can continue hiking and relaxing in the Cataract Gorge Reserve. The Gorge Scenic Chairlift, at 457 meters between the two stations, is the longest single span of all cable cars in the world.

Our Tips

• On the way from St. Helens to Launceston, be sure to check out the quirky shops along the roadside: “The Shop in the Bush” after kilometer 7, the post office on Derby's main street. Things get really quirky in Lilydale at “Valentino Safe,” a safe and vault dealer with the “Lock Shop Cafe,” and then there's the second-hand shop from “E. H. Mitchell.”
• Pyengana Dairy is also on the way from St. Helens to Launceston. Here you can enjoy delicious scones with fresh butter and relish.
• A trip to George Town on the northern coast leads to the Low Head Lighthouse: Low Head Foghorn - the only “G”-type siren horn in the world - sounds every Sunday at noon at 120 decibels and can be heard for 32 kilometers!
• Devonport, also on the northern coast, entices with the Bass Strait Maritime Centre. The ship simulator there is absolutely well made – for kids and adults – and the wave action is clearly felt. In the best cafe in town, there’s delicious coffee and cake or lunch afterwards.

By the way: you can take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong | Melbourne to Devonport | Tasmania across the Bass Straight. The trip takes about 10 hours and must be spectacular. We’ll do that next time!