City in Tasmania, Australia
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Plug at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Launceston is the second-largest city in Tasmania and provides a base to explore the northern part of the state. The city was settled in 1805 and has a population of 87,645 (2021), making it Australia's fifth-largest inland city.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
100 species of animals.
Extensive museum featuring exhibitions of colonial art, contemporary craft and design, Tasmanian history and natural sciences, a working planetarium, and displays related to Launceston's industrial environment and railway workshops.
Tours leave weekdays (from 9AM; closed on public holidays) from the Boag's Centre for Beer Lovers located in the Tamar Hotel in the heart of Launceston. Bookings and fully enclosed footwear are essential.
Fun night walking around one of Australia's oldest cities. Unearth the eerie side of Launceston in the 19th century. Fascinating for history buffs. Bookings required.
known commercially as University of Tasmania Stadium, formerly Aurora Stadium
Tasmania's largest sporting venue with a maximum capacity of 21,000. Watch a game of Aussie Rules or cricket.
Good coffee and pastries in a quiet and relaxing area.
Informal, casual Thai with a wooden interior.
Classic Mexican. Famous for their fishbowls and margaritas.
Casual dining. Pizza and à la carte.
Tapas and wood-fired pizzas.
House made sourdough bread, cultured butter and viennoiserie and cakes, as well as excellent coffee and other café style items made with local produce. This is a breakfast/lunch venues only.
A Tasmanian spin on Chinese with good seafood.
Elegant and contemporary Tasmanian. Try the rye waffles.
Indoor and outdoor dining in a beautiful setting. Peacocks roam about.
Upmarket steakhouse.
The Old Bakery Inn
100-year-old converted bakery combined with the neighbouring townhouses from the same era. Rooms are simple but clean and well looked after. Plenty of parking on site.
This Launceston hotel is within walking distance to the city centre, Launceston’s seaport and Cataract Gorge.
Hotel
Australia's only museum collection of contemporary wood design, they run exhibitions and tours of crafts, design and art, nationally and internationally. A not-for-profit organisation with a mission to support and sustain design.
By car
Launceston is a hub of the highway system in Northern Tasmania. From Hobart, Devonport, or Burnie, use Highway 1.
By bus
The best way to get around Launceston is by car. Taxis are available, but may add up to be expensive; try to get a transfer when you are moving from the airport to your hotel.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Launceston (Western Junction) · Regional · LST
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Launceston and Australia.
Compare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
7 min read
Plan your trip to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia with match cities, ticket windows, domestic flights, visa rules, and budget advice.
8 min read
Discover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Complete 2026 guide to visa-free travel for US citizens. Learn where American passport holders can go without a visa, new eTA rules, and entry fees.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.