The 17 best things to do in Launceston both tourists and locals will love

What is it? A five-kilometre urban reserve of bushland and cliffs with walking trails for visitors of all experience levels, located just a 15-minute walk from the city centre along the North Esk River.

Why go? Looking for a bit of fresh air and greenery after exploring the CBD? Hit the trail on either the beginner-friendly Cataract Walk or the more advanced (and steep) Zig Zag Track. If you're not much of a hiker, you can drive up to the First Basin car park, where you can hop on the world's longest single-span chairlift. Visitors can also go for a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, enjoy a meal at Stillwater Restaurant or settle on the lawns for a sunset picnic. Keep an eye out for the peacocks and pademelons who are waiting to pounce on your crumbs.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of barbecues for you to cook up a storm.

Address: 74-90 Basin Rd, West Launceston

Opening hours: 24 hours

Price: Free 

What is it? The world's longest single-span chairlift, spanning 457 metres and reaching 308 metres high. 

Why go? If you’re already at Cataract Gorge Reserve, you might as well take a ride on this epic chairlift. Departing from First Basin car park, this ten-minute journey will have you soaring over the South Esk River, offering remarkable views of the 140-year-old gorge below. You can choose to disembark at Cliffs Grounds or ride all the way back to where you began.

Time Out tip: Cataract Gorge is home to plenty of colourful peacocks, so look out for them prancing around below. 

Address: Start at the Basin Road car park (69 Basin Road, West Launceston)

Opening hours: Open from 9.30am daily (closes at 4.30pm in winter, 5pm in spring/autumn, 6pm in summer)

Price: Adults one-way for $15 or return for $20, kids one-way for $10 or return for $12

What is it? Feast your eyes on up to 80 stalls brimming with Tasmania’s freshest seasonal produce at this wholesome community farmers’ market, held every Saturday morning from 8.30am. 

Why go? Here, you'll be able to savour locally roasted coffees, along with ciders, craft beers, meads and drops from local distilleries. Sample your way through award-winning dairy products from the likes of Elgaar Farm and Red Cow Organics, and take home some homemade preserves, premium produce, artisan bread and pastries. Don’t be shy about tasting.

Time Out tip: The market is right opposite City Park, so pick up some pastries and walk over for a picnic on the lawns.

Address: 71 Cimitiere St, Launceston

Opening hours: Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm

Price: Free

What is it? Much more than just a green space, City Park is the beating heart of Launceston, hosting events and festivals almost year-round. If you’ve got tired feet, explore the park via the miniature railway.

Why go? In addition to mature trees and shrubs, flower displays, a beautiful conservatory, a duck pond and a sense garden, the park is home to an enclosure of macaque monkeys – a gift from Launceston’s sister city, Ikeda in Japan. There's also a playground for the kids, barbecue facilities if you're feeling hungry and a giant cheese board for some family fun. 

Time Out tip: City Park is located right in the heart of Launceston, so it's a great spot to take a break during a busy day of exploring.

Address: 45-55 Tamar St, Launceston

Opening hours: 24 hours

Price: Free

What is it? Tasmania is home to several colonies of little penguins that, at just 40cm tall, are the smallest penguin species in the world. You can spot them on a Low Head small-group sunset tour, which includes bookable bus transfers from Launceston.

Why go? Because it's absolutely adorable. This is a rewarding, but responsible way to enjoy seeing the fairy-sized black and white birds in one of Launceston's most charming seaside towns. The tour’s environmentally friendly approach ensures that the 4,000 or so penguins in the area are not disturbed as they waddle out of the water and into their burrows for the night. 

Time Out tip: The best time to spot penguins is between November and February, when 100 to 200 penguins come ashore each night.

Address: 485 Low Head Rd, Low Head

Opening hours: Daily at sunset

Price: $50 per person

What is it? Tasmania’s oldest and largest wine region, located just a 30-minute drive from Launceston. 

Why go? In 2024, Lonely Planet ranked Launceston and the Tamar Valley among the top five regions to visit in the world – so it’s well worth exploring both in the one trip. The Tamar is home to more than 30 vineyards spread along the Tamar Valley Wine Route, and they’re all within easy driving distance of each other. We recommend visiting House of Arras for a taste of Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine, and Josef Chromy, where you can visit its world-class cellar door and restaurant. 

Time Out tip: Plan your road trip over the weekend or later in the week, as many cellar doors and winery restaurants close from Monday to Wednesday. 

Address: Plan your route here

Opening hours: Most cellar doors open from 10am-5pm

Price: Wine tastings start from $5 per person

What is it? A peaceful pair of cascading waterfalls that are easily accessed via a ten-minute walk.

Why go? You’ll barely break a sweat walking to Lilydale Falls, following along a tranquil track through lush fern-filled rainforest. It takes around 25 minutes by car to reach the falls from Launceston, and the track begins just past the Lilydale Campsite, under the old railway bridge crossing. Around 300 metres in, you’ll hit a fork: turn right to descend to the lower falls or go left to reach the upper falls. Both waterfalls have a small plunge pool, but it’s likely too shallow (and cold) for swimming.

Time Out tip: The car park doubles as a free campsite, where you can stay for a maximum of one night.   

Address: Lilydale Campsite, turn off Golconda Road

Opening hours: 24 hours

Price: Free

What is it? Australia’s largest regional museum featuring a planetarium, colonial art collection and blacksmith shop, along with an ongoing exhibition on the extinct Tasmanian tiger.

Why go? It's almost too good to be true, but this underrated museum is free of charge. The QVMAG is split across two sites, with the Museum at Inveresk dedicated to natural science and history, and the Art Gallery at Royal Park home to traditional and contemporary art. Over at Inveresk, you can gaze in wonder at the stars in the full-dome Planetarium, explore an old blacksmith's shop and study the centrepiece wall map of Tasmania depicting the territories occupied by 57 known clans over more than 30,000 years of pre-colonial history. Meanwhile, at Royal Park, you can wander through interactive installations, Aboriginal art displays, photography exhibitions and the Guan Di Temple.

Time Out tip: A scenic 15-minute walk along the Tamar and North Esk rivers takes you between the Museum at Inveresk and the Art Gallery at Royal Park.

Address: Museum at 2 Invermay Road & Art Gallery at 2 Wellington Street, Launceston

Opening hours: Daily 10am-4pm

Price: Free

What is it? One of Tasmania’s top breweries, dating back to 1881. 

Why go? On the banks of the Esk River lies James Boag – a historic brewery where every single drop of their beer is made, combining Tasmania’s natural pure water with the finest hops and barley. Jump on a guided tour through this state-of-the-art facility to discover traditional brewing techniques and, of course, sample three classic James Boag beers. Don’t forget to snap a pic at The Big Beer Can on the way out. 

Time Out tip: Tassie residents can tour the brewery for free. Cheers to that!

Address: 39 William St, Launceston 

Opening hours: Daily 10.45am-6pm; tours daily at 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Price: James Boag Brewery Experience = $37 for adults and $19.50 for children aged five to 17, free for Tasmanian residents

What is it? An intimate fine eatery and boutique seven-room accommodation overlooking the kanamaluka / River Tamar.

Why go? First built in the 1830s as a flour mill and water supplier, this historical building at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge has gone on to become one of Launceston's premier destinations for fine dining and boutique accommodation. With a strong focus on sustainable local produce like Cape Grim beef, abalone and wallaby, it’s a firm local favourite as well as a national award winner. Co-owner Kim Seagram is also half of the Abel’s Gin team – a great excuse to kick off with a cocktail.

Time Out tip: The earlier you book, the better the view – seats with water views are given to those who book first.

Address: 2 Bridge Rd, Launceston

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm

Price: From $99 to $125 for a two- or three-course dinner

What is it? A whole new way of seeing Tasmania’s beautiful forests. This 2.5-hour tour takes you through the treetops via zipline, making your way from platform to platform up to 50 metres above the forest floor.

Why go? This is the perfect way to combine spectacular scenery with a thrill-seeking experience. To really up the ante, pair your zipline adventure with one of Hollybank's other experiences, including an off-road Segway adventure, ropes course or mountain biking.

Time Out tip: Remember to wear comfy clothes and enclosed shoes.

Address: 66 Hollybank Rd, Underwood

Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm

Price: Zipline tour is $145 for adults and $104 for children aged three to 17

What is it? On the outskirts of Launceston, this wheelchair-friendly boardwalk weaves through the grasses and over footbridges along the kanamaluka / River Tamar. It’s a prime spot for bird enthusiasts, but keep your eyes peeled for other Aussie critters like reptiles, frogs, fish and creepy crawlies.

Why go?  If you're feeling under the feather (get it?), this peaceful boardwalk is just the ticket. You can spot about 60 bird species here, from ducks and black swans to egrets, cormorants, and swamp harriers. 

Time Out tip: Pack a picnic for some stunning views down the Tamar Valley – and remember, no feeding the birds.

Address: West Tamar Road, Riverside, Launceston

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm (November to March) & 10am-4pm (April to October)

Price: Free

What is it? A not-for-profit shop, exhibition space and home to Australia’s only museum collection of contemporary wood design.

Why go? For a short but sweet adventure, head to this modern design gallery dedicated to all things wood. It's been almost 50 years since Design Tasmania opened, and they've since acquired more than 80 pieces, giving them bragging rights to the largest public collection of contemporary wood design in Australia. From weaving workshops to pop-up galleries and a gift shop of locally crafted items, this is a special opportunity to appreciate the work of top designers and artisans working with amazing (and rare) types of wood.

Time Out tip: You can also peruse Design Tasmania's latest artist collections anytime via their online store.

Address: Corner of Brisbane & Tamar St, Launceston

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 10am-2pm

Price: Free

What is it? Hidden inside an original 1880s homestead on a 61-hectare vineyard, Josef Chromy offers one of Tasmania’s most memorable food and wine experiences. 

Why go? It’s rare to find a top-tier winery so close to an Australian city centre, but Josef Chromy estate is exactly that. With its minimal intervention methods, the winery sets the benchmark in cool climate winemaking and is particularly renowned for its exemplary Tasmanian sparkling wines, which have a signature Granny Smith apple acidity. Drive ten minutes from Launceston city for an afternoon at the cellar door where you can sample a flight of four wines, followed by an immersive two-course lunch at the seasonally-driven restaurant.

Time Out tip: Continue your wine journey by travelling along the Tamar Valley Wine Trail.

Address: 370 Relbia Rd, Relbia

Opening hours: Daily 10am-5pm

Price: Tastings for $20, two-course lunch for $85

What is it? One of Australia’s top car and motorcycle museums, featuring some of the world’s rarest and finest automobiles.

Why go? Motor maniacs could spend hours inspecting the world-class displays of cars and motorcycles at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania (N.A.M.T). All the motor vehicles here are privately owned, meaning the collection is ever-evolving. You could find anything from a lightweight British sports car display to a celebration of the Australian Muscle Car, plus cars ranging from a 1928 Ford Model A to a 2016 McLaren 675LT. 

Time Out tip: The N.A.M.T has one of the largest automobilia gift shops in Australia, so save time to explore it.

Address: 84 Lindsay Street, Invermay

Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm (or 10am-4pm during winter)

Price: $18 for adults and $9 for children under 16

What is it? Tasmania’s craft beer scene has taken off in the last few years, but Saint John was one of the originals. At any one time, they offer up to 18 taps and more than 150 bottled beers, craft ciders, wines and top-shelf spirits.

Why go? Don’t be fooled by the industrial aesthetic: this is a super-friendly spot with bar staff who know their hops. The lunch and dinner menu leans on locally sourced, seasonal produce, and it's delivered with a South American spin, including spicy chicken burgers, braised beef tacos and charcuterie boards. Take note: the super crunchy fries are legendary.

Time Out tip: Bring all your mates – Saint John's menu is super vegetarian and gluten-free friendly.

Address: 133 St John St, Launceston

Opening hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am

Price: $23.50 for a burger and chips, with beers from $6.50

What is it? The pinnacle event of Launceston’s arts and culture scene, packed with local gigs, family-friendly shows, literary chats, cabaret nights and dance performances. It happens every year in September.

Why go? Launnie comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colour, spectacular sounds and magical surprises for the city’s greatest arts and music festival. Shake off the winter blues with a boogie to the island’s best local beats, feast on local snacks and spirits, and be wowed by circus and cabaret performances.

Time Out tip: Follow Junction Arts Festival on Instagram so you're first to know when the program drops.

Address: Princes Square, 28 Frederick St, Launceston

Opening hours: September 18-21, 2025

Price: Mix of free and ticketed events