Launceston And The Northeast Of Tasmania

Launceston is one of Tasmania's most attractive cities, located in the glorious Tamar Valley at the intersection of the Tamar and South Esk Rivers. The city has well earned the title of 'The Garden City', but it is also a city of great culture and a rich and interesting heritage. This is one region you won't want to miss during your Tasmanian campervan driving adventure.

One of the best ways to see the city is to take part in one of Launceston's Historical Walks, where you will enjoy discovering a wealth of information about the city's history and architecture as you stroll past the Victorian-era buildings (the magnificent Albert Hall is a highlight). The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery has displays about local wildlife and the convicts. For the rev-heads who have a passion for motor vehicles, visit the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania, located at the corner of Willis & Cimitiere Streets. If you are feeling brave, you can always sign up for a ghost tour.

If you are looking for somewhere to relax and picnic, it is only a short hike from the city centre and along the river to the Cataract Gorge and Basin. Here you will see Victorian garden displays, a natural pool, kiosks, and the world's longest single span chairlift. Recently, there has been an inclinator added to the other attractions of the Cataract Gorge, a type of cable car, except it runs on rails. Notley Fern Gorge is another natural beauty spot just a short drive from the city, with ten hectares of untouched temperate rainforest; here you can walk among century-old tree ferns.

Of course, with the city built at the junction of two rivers, you can take river cruises up and down the Tamar River. You will be fascinated by the natural beauty of the river system and the views of the city. At dusk, over forty bird species are known to return to the wetlands and you may come face to face with some of the local nocturnal wildlife. Locally, there is a lot to do and see around Launceston. If you visit during September, you might want to catch the Launceston Festival of Dance. Beaconsfield is about an half an hour leisurely drive north, with the Grubb Shaft a popular spot for tourists with its historical museum. During the gold rush, Beaconsfield was one of the biggest cities in Tasmania, but now it has settled down to a peaceful and close knit community. A 45min drive north of Launceston is the Bridestowe Lavender Estate, with its own shop stocked with lavender-scented goodies and a café with lavender-inspired cuisine. If lavender isn't your thing, you can always visit the Hillwood Berry Farm, also with its own café full of desserts, or you can pick your own berries.

Launceston is a magnificent city; not only does it boast historical buildings, with delightful shopping and cultural experiences in the city centre, but the surrounding natural attractions in every direction are worth exploring at a slow pace. For your accommodation needs, there are caravan parks with sites available for campervans such as the Launceston Treasure Island Caravan Park, the Discovery Holiday Parks at Hadspen, and the Launceston Caravan Park in Legana. Everything is waiting for you.