Launceston Tamar and the North

Travel Guide

Colours in the afternoon on the South Esk river in Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
Colours in the afternoon on the South Esk river in Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
Deloraine in the early morning mist, snow capped mountains in the distance, mist rising over the town as the sun slowly rises.
As I said elsewhere, there is so much more to Cradle Mountain than just Dove Lake. I drive about 100 kms, starting around 3.30 a.m. and dodging about 30 pademelons (type of wallaby) and two spotted quolls before reaching Dove Lake. Then I set out in the dark and walked for about 2 hours to reach this spot, hoping all the way the weather would hold. Can't begin to describe my joy when I found it like this. Little Horn is the immediate peak you can see with Cradle Mountain behind it. If you get the chance, pencil in Twisted Lakes. You'll probably have it all to yourself.
Then the top of Little Horn peeps up on the horizon, maybe I’m getting close I think. Within another 20 metres the whole purpose of the excursion becomes apparent. The vista before me is simply breathtaking. Twisted Lakes is but a mirror, everything I’d hoped and planned for has come to fruition. When you come upon something as good as this, it’s overwhelming. The sheer majesty of the panorama engulfs you, its power makes you feel so humble in its presence, there’s a distinct aura of “something else”, but it’s indefinable. It’s all my grey matter can do to remind me that I’m here to actually take photos. You just don’t want to stop looking for fear that it will all go away and you’ll be denied any more pleasure; but it stays as I set up the tripod. It’s not often I put myself in the picture, but here I feel it’s a must. Then I can look at it and remember just where I sat and how good it was. There are many angles to be had here. Faint trails indicate where other photographers have been, little flattened sections indicative of footfalls. It takes me around 15 minutes to get what I came for and then I sit down and enjoy breakfast, although “enjoy” seems like a totally inadequate verb in this case, there is a higher plane involved here, one you get to experience so few times in life. The cloud has started to form more seriously now, as predicted, and it adds a little to the experience. Changing lens and shifting position constantly I can but hope I’ve got it covered and, even as I’m moving around, the first gentle ripples of the day’s breezes disturb the surface. Had I been here any later I would have missed it. You like to think it’s good fortune but reflect on that fact that you’ve planned it for a week, constantly following the weather patterns, in the hope that you’ll get it right and leaving early enough to avoid all the problems that occur later. #Nature

Where to stay in Launceston Tamar and the North

Only a 10 minute drive north of Launceston, the perfect way to start your morning is with a leisurely 3km return walk through the wetlands to Tamar Island. Get there early enough and you’ll have the walk all to yourself. A boardwalk extends over swamps and crosses the river to two islets and then Tamar Island,

Riverside

Restaurants, shopping and river views highlight some of the noteworthy features of Riverside. Make a stop by Tasmania Zoo or Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Riverside
Cataract Gorge which includes tranquil scenes, a small town or village and a river or creek

West Launceston

You'll enjoy the restaurants and parks in West Launceston. You might want to make time for a stop at Cataract Gorge or Cataract Gorge Reserve.

West Launceston
Cataract Gorge Reserve at Launceston in Tasmania, Australia

South Launceston

If you're spending time in South Launceston, you might enjoy its restaurants and spas. If you've got time to venture a little farther, you can make a stop by Centro Meadow Mews Shopping Centre or Quadrant Mall.

South Launceston
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Summerhill

Summerhill might not have many top sights, but Silverdome and Cataract Gorge are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Summerhill
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East Launceston

Restaurants and gardens are notable features of East Launceston. You might consider stopping by Launceston Aquatic Centre while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

East Launceston
Still day in the Tamar Valley - it was late afternoon when I got this shot

Legana

Wineries and shopping are just a few things travellers like about Legana. A stop by Velo Winery is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Legana
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

4.5 out of 5
29 Cameron Street Launceston TAS
The price is RM428 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
RM428
RM471 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
Clean room and friendly service.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments

3.5 out of 5
147 Paterson Street Launceston TAS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM389 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
RM389
RM427 total
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
Everything was great 😀

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments
Village Family Motor Inn

Village Family Motor Inn

3 out of 5
84-100 Westbury Road South Launceston TAS
The price is RM257 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
RM257
RM283 total
11 Feb - 12 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star spa motel in Launceston. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
6.4/10 (1,005 reviews)
Value of money Friendly staff Amazing facility for the prices Clean accommodation

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

Village Family Motor Inn
See all 608 properties in Launceston Tamar and the North
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Discovery Parks - Hadspen

Discovery Parks - Hadspen

3 out of 5
Cnr Main St & Meander Valley Hwy ( B54 ) Hadspen TAS
Stay at this family-friendly cabin in Launceston. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Entally Estate and Country Club Tasmania ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (432 reviews)
Everything outstanding.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Discovery Parks - Hadspen
Country Club Villas

Country Club Villas

4 out of 5
Casino Rise Prospect Vale TAS
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,893 reviews)
Clean but tired room. We had a Murphy bed and it was quite dusty and dirty behind where the bed was pulled down from the wall. Carpet is old an tearing in places Staff were lovely. The pool was good.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Country Club Villas
Launceston Central Apartment Hotel

Launceston Central Apartment Hotel

4 out of 5
16 Paterson Street Launceston TAS
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, dry cleaning or laundry services and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (638 reviews)
The apartment is lovely - big, clean, comfortable. The only thing to be aware of if you are a light sleeper - there is a church nearby with bells that ring every hour through the night and every quarter hour in the day.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Launceston Central Apartment Hotel
See all properties in Launceston Tamar and the North
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cataract Gorge featuring a river or creek and a gorge or canyon

Cataract Gorge

5/5(18 reviews)

Swim in a tranquil basin fed by tumbling mountain-spring waters, fly over the water on a chairlift and stroll around the gardens fringed with stunning native forest.

Cataract Gorge
Brisbane Street Mall featuring a sunset and shopping

Brisbane Street Mall

4/5(5 reviews)

Launceston’s best shopping is in easy reach at this busy community hub, where intriguing laneways and historic arcades branch off from a central sheltered mall.

Brisbane Street Mall
Sunrise over Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond National Park

Explore the great outdoors at Ben Lomond National Park, a lovely green space in Ben Lomond. Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Ben Lomond National Park
Awesome rock climbing and adventure park in the heart of Launceston #lifeatexpedia

Penny Royal Adventures

4/5(1 review)

Bring your family to Penny Royal Adventures and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Launceston. Discover the beautiful waterfalls and shops in this walkable area.

Penny Royal Adventures
City Park showing a park as well as a couple

City Park

4/5(11 reviews)

Stroll around this charming Victorian-era park to see its pretty flower displays, giant chess set, heritage monuments and monkey enclosure.

City Park
Royal Park showing a bay or harbor

Royal Park

4/5(5 reviews)

After visiting Royal Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Launceston. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Royal Park
Cradle Mountain which includes tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole as well as an individual male

Cradle Mountain

Koala sitting in a tree at the Cleland Conservation Park near Adelaide in South Australia

Prospect

Lake St. Clair which includes a bay or harbor

Lake St. Clair

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