Launceston
February 5th 2008 08:45
The city of Launceston is located in northeast Tasmania and is the state's second largest city with a population of 98,000 (Census 2006).
As one of Australia's oldest cities (est. 1805), Launceston is rich in heritage and a great tourist destination for those interested in Australian history - its historical buildings and sights. Due to its location, the landscape of the city includes beaches, waterfalls and miles of scenic coastline with great fishing opportunities.
The north-east of Tasmania is also the sunniest corner of the State so residents enjoy a mild climate of mild-to-warm summers (ave. 23.9 degrees celsius) and cold winters (ave. 2.6 degrees celsius).
Launceston is dubbed the 'Garden City’ because of its many parklands with views of the Tamar River or surrounding valley always close by. Because of this and the compactness of the city, one of the best ways to sense Launceston is to walk it and just 15 minutes away from the CBD is one of the region's premier tourist attractions - Cataract Gorge.
With near vertical cliffs flanking the South Esk River as it enters the Tamar River, it is a sight to behold. The area around the gorge is a wildlife reserve where you'll also find a dozen walking and hiking trails, as well as the world's longest single span chairlift, lookouts, a swimming pool, restaurant and cafes, an Interpretation Centre, abseiling and rock climbing.
For those interested in museums and art galleries, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is the largest museum and art gallery in Australia located outside a capital city. It boasts an enviable reputation and national profile for its collections of Australian colonial art, contemporary craft and design, Tasmanian history and natural sciences. Special features include a Chinese Temple, Planetarium and now, the interpretation of one of Tasmania's most intact nineteenth century industrial environments, the Launceston Railway Workshops.
If sporting and entertainment is more your forte, the Aurora Stadium at York Park will be your type of destination. Aurora Stadium is a world class sporting and entertainment venue in the Inveresk Precinct of Launceston and has secured a spectacular array of local and interstate events including AFL games, The Crusty Demons, A-League Soccer, Celebration! Tattoo and The Royal Launceston Show to name a few.
Wine lovers will enjoy the vineyards, orchards, pastures and forests of the Tamar River estuary. The area is Tasmania’s major cool-climate wine-producing region and the area specialises in Pinot, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc varieties.
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