Welcome to Launceston
With a population of just over 100,000 people, Launceston would probably not even be considered a city in a lot of minds. Launceston is however, Tasmania’s second largest population centre.
I was last in Launceston over 7 years’ ago on my way to an adventure on the Overland Track. I was told then, that it was “a hole” and to not hang around too long. I did just that, walked around town in one afternoon and felt that I had seen enough of Launceston. Calling it a hole was probably a little unfair,but as a tourist I found it probably at worst unmemorable.
Launceston, today though, has definitely evolved from the “hole” I last visited. This time, I had more than an afternoon to spend in the city, using the city as a base to access mountain bike trails both in the city and in the greater region. Unlike my last visit, I was now equipped with some pointers from a local friend and had my trusty mountain bike to travel around town in. Everything I have written about in this post was easily accessible by bike (hence also by foot if you don’t mind going slower) within a day.
Lively cafe culture and arts movement – thriving small businesses, great coffee, easy access to affordable great produce and revival of the heritage architecture
Coffee, records, comedy and barber all under one small roof
Organic produce at affordable prices
Inner city industrial relics, turned inner city dining destination
Safe, scenic access to the city – wide, well lit, well built walkways and cycleways linking the suburbs to the inner city
The river path taking me from my temporary home in one Launceston’s oldest suburbs to the city centre
Appreciation of its heritage – home to some of the most photogenic homes I’ve ever seen. A living city bonus, yes?
Beautiful inner city suburbs
Nature on your doorstep – For a city with an industrial heritage, you can lose yourself in nature very quickly and easily in Launceston
Cataract Gorge, just your regular weekday walking spot
Launceston Autumn
The neighbours
More cycleways – cycleways through parks this time
Why drive when you can ride through this?
Revitalized carriageworks turned park and shared path
Launceston marina
Parks – and more parks
Beautiful sunsets – Just because
Launceston College at sunset
The way home
My buddy on my city tour
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