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.