Luxury holidays in Launceston

Tassie’s second-largest city is more than just country meets town – Launceston has a maritime spring to its step too, thanks to its position on the banks of the winding Tamar River. Mucking about on the river, Ratty and Toad style, is de rigueur, but the hilly latticework of streets also hides gourmet, craft and fashion treasures. Or tickle your tasting tonsils with a visit to nearby Tamar Valley, carpeted with some of the best cold-climate vineyards in the world.

When to go

Come for mists and mellow fruitfulness in autumn or manageably balmy summers away from the desert and tropical heat of the mainland. The island can get a little closed-down during winter, but the fires are toasty even if the winds are Antarctic.

Getting there

  • Planes

    There are no international flights that land in Tasmania, but Qantas has connections between Launceston and mainland cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane).
  • Automobiles

    Scheduled bus and coach services can be sporadic (especially in winter), so if you’re planning to explore, hire a car at Launceston Airport, which has most of the big-name rental companies on-site.
  • Taxis

    Launceston’s largest fleet of cabs is Taxi Combined (13 2227; www.taxicombined.com.au). A ride from the airport into town costs around AU$32.