CONTENTS:

  • LAUNCESTON TOWN & BUILDINGS
  • PENNY ROYAL VILLAGE
  • CATARACT GORGE & HIKING
  • JAMES BOAGS BREWER TOUR
  • random MONKEY SANCTUARY! (what!?)

CRUISE will be on another seperate post

Wow! I hadnt been to Launceston in yearssssss and tbh forgotten what it looked like… I have to confess that I wasnt expecting to find SO many heritage buildings (Colonial & Victorian) in such a small area! also, its so chilled and feels like Sydney over 20 years ago.. People say g’day and look you in the eye when they walk past 🙂

For me, to have a really good explore and feel for the town, 6 days was good, this included hiking and cruises on the river and just relaxing in the park and reading a book with a coffee

Australia’s smallest state – was initially known as Van Diemen’s land

Ok so! This is the history we are told.. 2nd largest city in Tassie… The first inhabitants were Aboriginal Tasmanians and the first white people didnt arrive until 1798

1803 England sent a group of soldiers and convicts to create a military outpost and they settled in the area which is now Hobart.

Then 1804 Colonial William Paterson established the first European settlement in northern Tasmania

The fertile lands around the town were producing wool, grain and other goods for export

The Old Custom house

I was happy to find out that Lauceston Council are very careful in protecting their historic buildings and as you walk around you see blue plaques on them showing the age of the buildings

known as “Diana, Venus & Fortune”  – This building is elegant, known for its 3 statues places around the side of the building, you can see one of them here

Until 1812, Tasmania was two separate administrative districts: Northern Tasmania, centred around Launceston and Southern Tasmania centred around Hobart. Hobart, Tasmania’s present day capital, became the seat of government when the two districts were combined

LAUNCESTON TOWN

Launceston has the most intact collection of 19th c. buildings

Population of around 86,000

… and the thing is, Im an absolute sucker for old buildings and history so this is exactly what launceston gave to me! Launceston has some of the most beautiful buildings (on a smaller scale) that I’ve seen in Australia, next to Melbourne and Adelaide

Colourful buildings in the main shopping area in town

I’ve taken heaps of pics of these buildings around town and I’ve loved every second of walking around and exploring… I know I know… im a dag! But this post will have heaps of building pics and flowers and shops and things… bit more chilled than my other blog posts

PENNY ROYAL WATERMILL & KINGS BRIDGE PUB

And what a place to have a beer after a hike at cataract gorge! Finished my walk and heading back to town stumbled across this absolute old beauty! Still dark and gorgeous inside!

The Watermill Tavern
just on the outskirts of town

Had a Boags St George – realised loved it after my Boags Brewery tour yesterday! – as its in Tassie only im enjoying it while I can!

Ok, so this is the history as advised by the bar guy I was speaking to…

Built in 1840 he told me by a dude called Andrew Gatenby and his son George and a group of 30 convicts / ticket-of-leave men

To this day, the quarry where the stone came from remains a mystery! (??)

The 3 Boags in tap I tried at tge brewery, all good! XXXX is made at Boags brewery as well!
The inside was dark and mysterious! I like that they had kept the old feel – many places I visited have redone the inside all modern, square and boring!
The wooden ceilings, I think they are old who knows! But they look cool!

Outside was the windmill which was still in tact and gorgeous! I love how RANDOM Launceston is!

Windmill is now in an accommodation complex, Penny Royal Leisure Inn

PENNY ROYAL ADVENTURE VILLAGE

https://pennyroyallaunceston.com.au/

A pretty cool place for the whole family, I would def recomend not to miss this! ts right at the foot of where the Zig Zag hiking track starts towards Cataract

The village attraction opened in 1979 and in early 2000s was shut down for 8 years – 2014 as bought by JAC Group and re-developed and now hosts an adventure park with cliff walks, rock climbing, gold mine, a dark ride and cruise boat (kids would love this! I think you can get buy a day park pass to be able to explore)

For the adults there are restaurants, cellar doors and wine bar, dining and cafes and an ice creamery cafe

They also have this awesome old school Hotel accommodation on site( which I have stayed in ages ago and its quite cute!)

They also host functions from kids parties to weddings

PENNY ROYAL leisure Inn Apartments

A short walk from the village entertainment park is more accommodation “Penny Royal Inn” and serviced apartments – beautiful old building as well

Originally built as a Corn mill in 1840
The building was moved 54km to Launceston and rebuilt as a hotel

LAUNCESTON POST OFFICE

Built in 1889 as the main post office of Launceston

The tower is huge and stands out with its red brick and beautiful clock faces… This picture doesnt do it any justice!

Launceston post office

In Federation queen Anne style (never heard of this!) decorated with intricate stone carvings and detailings which we dont do these days – original building built in 1880s and the tower was added in later in 1903

CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES

This church caught my eye driving in from the airport, its located a bit out of the town centre

The foundation stone for this church was laid in 1864

The foundation stone for the original St Joseph’s church on the site was laid on 19 March 1839

THE ROYAL OAK HOTEL

The Royal Oak Hotel
the oldest licensed pub (1851) in Tassie

“THE EXAMINER” building

The old examiner building, now modernised inside and divided into seperate offices for lease

CITY PARK

Created in the 1820s by the Launceston Horticultural Society the handed over to the City Council in 1863 – it plays an important part in the lives of the locals

Its such a beautiful place to come by and rest and relax in the gardens, with the huge dark oak and fern trees reminds me of being in the UK

The park even has a monkey sanctuary! There is a small group of Macaques

The monkeys were a gift from Launceston sistr city Ikeda City in Japan

The park has many gardens, a conservatory, band stand, a duck pond, playground, Albert Hall, Tasmanian Design Centre

Gorgeous colourful flowers grow all around the park

Its like another world in here! gated off from the noisy street, you feel instantly relaxed and can enjoy a picnic or just to sit and read a book

The Dutch fountain in the park is one of the oldest public fountain in Australia – detailed and beautiful!

They also run little trains (since the 1960s) for the kids through the park which I thought was cute or the kids!

CATARACT GORGE & HIKING

DONT MISS THIS WHEN YOU ARE HERE!

Literally right on the edge of the town, once youre here it feels like youre ages away from civilisation! But its only 2mins away

So, found the Zig Zag track and started climbing towards the First Basin – it was a steep climb on both sides and flat in the middle but it does get you out of breath a bit

The trail wasnt too busy which was nice and took time to admire the views from the lookouts along the way

One of the first look outs to the gorge
The hike can take anywhere from 20-30mins depending on fitness levels and how often you stop to take in the scenery – its a pretty easy hike
Most areas had sandstone uneven steps so if you have little legs be aware 🙂
2nd view point – you can see the basin and the chair lifts going across
Chairlifts – you can either pay $20 for return trip or $15 1 way

I chose 1 way as I walked back over the suspension bridge which was a good option as well

Chairlift was fun! Went for a good 15mins so had time to enjoy the views

The chairlift has been operating since 1972 – 30m span its the worlds longest of its kind aparently!

Looking down at the basin from the relaxed slow moving chairlift

Cataract Gorge has always been a gathering place, a feature of landscape and life. On the traditional lands of the Northern Midlands/Stoney Creek Nation, it is rich in cultural and natural resources – locals and tourists love to relax and unwind here

There are a few resident peacocks that roam around the park area and not scared of people – they continuosly make a really loud CAWWW nois to each other and when one starts it kicks the rest of them off!

Im sitting there reading my book and one just flies right onto my head and its huge mass of feathers mess up my hair! Laughing my head off and dusting myself off they still roam around and bully people for food – loved my time hanging out there with the wildlife and connecting to nature

Went on the Daffodil trek toward the suspension bridge – I was the only one there until..

I came upon this little guy! Was curious about me as I was about him

Alexandra Supension Bridge from the lookout

The original bridge was constructd in 1904 and has undergone 2 reconstructions

It shakes and moves as you walk across it making it an exciting way off getting back – iews from here are nice as well

This whole experience you wouldnt want to miss when in Launceston!

Great for adult and kids, there is also a large swiming pool, you can swim in the basin as well and there are tracks all around the area, all marked and easy to follow

Many placs to sit around the park and relax, picnic, read and enjoy the surroundings and get back to nature

Walking towards Cataract Gorge from town, I passed by this once rather useful building

Used to be an old flour mill built in 1840s and was also the principal fresh water supplier to Launceston until 1857

Milling oats and supplying to the town continued until 1943 – the cottage part of the building is now a cafe and restaurant (usually booked out ive been told!)

They also recently added accommodation where you can stay and enjoy the building

https://www.stillwater.com.au/seven

Holyman House – A beautiful Art Deco style building with loads of personalty! When it was bult in 136 it was the largest office block in Launceston – now for lease

At one stage Ansett Australia owned this building before being sold off

The building is so detailed! The way its built is just amazing
Looking closer at the detailing shows how much love and craft went into creating this

Another beautiful building modernised and with loads of personality

Check out this cool building! The 2 doors ou to the balcony is an intereting design

Princes Square was once a military parade gound and a political meeting place where they would gather around and aparently talk aout convict transportation

The beautiful old world statues of Launceston Water Works Fountain of Princes Square, very sexy looking men and women! Whats going on in the 19th c. LOL

The Shopping and commerical area is known as “the Quadrant” and has heaps of shops and cafes and bustling with life

The main pedestrian shopping strip in the centre of town

Quadrant Mall lined with boutiques and cafe and has its own little fountain

62 Brisbane Street – This building had such intricate details of lion heads

From what I head recently, this building has been bought this year and they are going to convert the top levels to top notch apartments

All the buildings have their own unique look but work so well nestled in next to each other!

Another impressive building – now a dance club

Hogs Breath cafe was once the towns Gasworks building – says on the side of the building “work with gas” you can just make it out at the top of the building on the narrow part under the chimney

Inside of Hogs Breath restaurant

The Bendigo Bank building

Walking and cycle path along the River Esk

Tasmanian Four Mill – estblished in 1861 – one of Tasmania’s last remaining flour mills

Thomas Monds built the milling plant back then, and an oatmeal mill and as the business grew he bought the warehouse building on the corner and converted in to a Mill in 1909

An old photo of the mills – doesnt look like its changed much

Launceston Town Hall – such an incredible building built in neo-renaissance italian style

Built in Gothic style and opened in 1868 – Pilgrim Uniting Church – impressive building!

The Masonic Lodge – has a different style to the other buildings around town, more Italian architecture

The Masonic hall was set up in 1882 – they bought the land for 500pounds

The building is now owned and used by five Lodges. There are also a number of other Masonic Orders using the building for Meetings

The Lodge room

Found some photos online showing in the inside of the building

Holy Trinity Anglican Church – 1898

The beautiful interior with its rose glass window

YORKTOWN SQUARE

A small square opened in 1984 to boost the tourism into Lanceston

Again, felt like being in a courtyard in the middle of London

Colonial Launceston – a historic boutique hotel in town

This originally used to be a boarding school Launceston Church Gamar School when the inhabitants of Launceston were only 8000 and to board here cost 10 guinea a year

Chalmers Church – This fabulous piece of history is now crumbling on the outside! – it has now ben modrnised inside and is the office for Tasmanian Walking company

in 1843 there was The Great Disruption within the church of scotland and 450 evangelial ministersof the church broke away (over the churchs relationship with the State) and they formed the Free Church of Scotland

They dividedinto 2 groups – Free Kirk or o the Established Church

In Tassie, members of the Free Kirk founded this Chalmers Church in 1850

City Bapist Church – for lease!! anyone?? wht a beautiful building!

Next to the church is Milton Hall – 1842 was St Johns Congregational Church and is in Greek Revival style – from 1884-1913 it was used as Launceston High School

The inside of City Baptist Church – opened in 1885

Found this photo of these 3 buildings in the late 19th c.

Still beautiful and its so interesting how all have such diferent styles

2022 Tasmanian entrepreneur Rob Sherrard (co-founder of Virgin Australia) bought both buildings (he lives one street away from these buildings)

Jewish Synagogue in the town centre on St Johns Street – its in an interesting Egyptian revivil style!

Built in 1844 – after the one in Hobart, this is the oldest Synagogue in Australia

Perfect way to pass a few hours – found an empty courtyard, grabbed a coffee and a book

QUEEN VICTORIA MUSEUM

FREE Entry to the museum
https://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Whats-on/Museum-at-Inveresk

Natural science & history museum of Launceson

Located over the River Esk on the outskirts of the town

This is the permanent exhibition – colonial and bushranger artefacts, animals, geological timelines, transport history (bikes, buggies and planes!) and dinosaurs. Also features objects recovered from the wreck of Australia’s oldest merchant shipwreck, The Sydney Cove, including the ship’s rudder and anchor

BOAGS BREWERY TOUR

Oh yeah! great beer! I found my fav Tassie beer… BUT they dont ship it to mainland Australia – doh,its Boags St George, the black label beer on tap… ah well

https://www.jamesboag.com.au/brewery/

$35 pp included 3 x beers at the end of the tour

James Boag moved from Scotland and created a brewery in 1881 in Launceston – the fresh “soft” water from the River Esk was what attracted him – Boags is renowned for using the finest local ingredients of hops and barley to produce their beers

The tour starts at James Bags Brewery Pub across from the factory itself

The company owns quite a few of the buildings around the brewery and incorporated the old style buidings into the distillery without knocking them down or ruining them

This is the oldest building from the brewery built in 1881 the original “Esk Brewery” they outgrew the building as they used to brew the beer here as you can see from the cone shape red roof

View from the Boags Museum which showcases the history of the brewery and the family who created it and has become such a big part of local Tasmanian lives

YUM! The beer we tried – the St George was my fav, the Boags XXX Ale is the locals favourite and known as Boags Red

Had to try some more after the tasing as well – the St George was too good

Brewery is located a short walk from the town centre on the outskirts

Incorporating new with the old

How regal is this building! I really felt like I was in the UK

EAST LAUNCESTON SUBURBS

Took a walk around the suburbs to check it out and see how the local Tassie’s lived – loved the clean steets and neat buildings!

There are still many 19th c. building as you leave the town – all with their facades still intact

This street right next to Princes Gardens was like walking through the rich suburbs of Notting Hill or Kensington in London

As I walked out further the houses change to the usual red brick / fibro houses known in australia

Houses did get bigger and there were quiet a few stunning huge homes worth a lot of moola! $$

After a full day out each day, I was lucky enough to head back to my hotel with this gorgeous view every day!

Def an easy and (cheap??) holiday – jump on a jetstar flight and grad some acommodation and youre done! Great holiday destination for kids as well

Be prepared to pay $$$ for food and drinks – Sydney prices and bookings for restaurants are required

I so recommend taking the time to spend it in Launceston Town and not just grab the car from the airport and take off, spend around 2-3 days here – you will love it!