Launceston, Australia Attractions
Launceston (pop. 66,000), the second largest town in Tasmania, lies in the northeast of the island at the head of the Tamar River, which is formed by the junction of the North and South Esk and after a winding course of 64km flows into the Bass Strait.
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Cataract Gorge
The wild and romantic Cataract Gorge has been carved out over many centuries by the South Esk. On both sides of the gorge are daringly engineered walking trails. There is also a chair lift over the gorge. At its south end are the remains of an old hydro-electric station. There are fine views into the gorge from the Kings Bridge and the Gorge Restaurant.
Albert Hall
Albert Hall was built for the Tasmanian International Exhibition of 1891. It is now a cultural center, used for concerts and exhibitions.
Baptist Christ Church
The brick-built neo-Gothic Baptist Christ Church (1885) is next to a small neoclassical chapel of 1842.
Batman-Fawkner Inn
The Batman-Fawkner Inn dates from the town's early years (c 1820). Its first owner, John P Fawkner, along with John Batman, crossed Bass Strait to Victoria in quest of new grazing land and founded Melbourne.
City Park
Cameron Street runs northeast to the City Park (12ha), with old elms and oaks, a small monkey and wallaby enclosure, a conservatory and a richly decorated fountain.
Customs House
On the Esplanade flanking the North Esk is the imposing neoclassical customs house of 1885, fronted by a colonnade. Its magnificence reflects the town's 19th C. prosperity.
Lady Stelfox
Near Ritchie's Mill is the landing-stage used by the old paddle-steamer Lady Stelfox, which still takes visitors on river cruises (e.g. to Cataract Gorge).
Pedestrian Zones
In the town center there are two pedestrian zones, the Brisbane Street Mall between Charles Street and St John Street and the curving Quadrant Mall between St John Street and Brisbane Street. Most of the town's historic buildings are in St John Street and George Street.
Post Office
The post office is a red brick building from the 1880s with a later, rather ill-matched, tower.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Princes Square
St John's Anglican Church (157 St John Street), built in 1824 and later enlarged, gives Princes Square, between Frederick, St John, Elizabeth and Charles Streets, its particular character. The square was originally a clay pit and later became a parade ground and place of assembly. From the mid-19th C. onwards it gradually developed into a park with tall oak trees. The elaborate fountain came from the 1855 Paris Exhibition.
Ritchie's Mill
In Kings Park, to the southwest of Royal Park, where the West Tamar Highway is carried high over the outflow of the South Esk River, is Ritchie's Mill, a four-story grain mill of 1845 which now houses a craft shop and a tearoom.
Town Hall
The imposing Town Hall, in neoclassical style, was built in 1864 by a local architect, Peter Mills.
Zig Zag Reserve
Above the Cataract Gorge is the Zig Zag Reserve, a recreation area commanding wide views.
Launceston Surroundings
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Ben Lomond National Park
Ben Lomond National Park is a popular hiking area in summer and ski region in winter.
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Entally House
This 1820 house was built be Thomas Reibey, the Tasmanian prime minister between 1866 and 1867. It features a lovely interior, and grounds that include stables, a coach house, and chapel.
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Longford, Australia
This small community has been declared a Historic Town by the National Trust. Settled in 1813, the town maintains many of its old buildings.
Deddington, Australia
The English landscape painter John Glover settled here in the little settlement of Deddington in 1830, naming the place after his home village in the Lake District. A chapel built here in 1840 is believed to have been designed by Glover, who is buried in the nearby churchyard. Other old buildings are an inn and the ruins of the police station.
Franklin House
Franklin House was built in 1838 for an innkeeper and in 1842 became a boys' school. The house has been restored by the National Trust and furnished in period style.
All values are in Australia Dollars
Franklin House
413 - 419 Hobart Road
Franklin Village, TAS 7249
Australia
413 - 419 Hobart Road
Franklin Village, TAS 7249
Australia
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
| Adult | $ 8.00 |
| Pensioners (OAP) | $ 6.00 |
| Students | $ 6.00 |
| Senior | $ 6.00 |
| Child 14 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Hadspen, Australia
Hadspen (pop. 1100) was founded in the early 1820s. It has preserved numerous small Georgian buildings, including the Red Feather Inn (1845), the town jail and the church.
Kingston
Kingston is a house built by convict labor in 1825 for John Batman, founder of Melbourne, who was a friend of John Glover's. Along with a number of others they were the first white men to climb Ben Lomond (1833).
Lilydale, Australia
Under the northwest side of Mount Arthur (1187m), is Lilydale (pop. 360), in a beautiful setting which has made it a popular excursion and holiday destination.
3km northeast of the village are the wild and romantic Lilydale Falls.
3km northeast of the village are the wild and romantic Lilydale Falls.
Perth
The little township of Perth was once an important coaching station on the Midland Highway to Hobart, with a number of historic old buildings.
Poatina, Australia
Poatina (pop. 210) is a new settlement on the Central Plateau established to house construction workers employed on the nearby hydro-electric scheme and the staff of the large power station, much of which is underground (can be visited). From a lookout above Poatina, to the west, and from Bradys Lookout (1371m), to the south, there are fine views over the plateau towards Launceston and Ben Lomond.
Waverley Woolen Mills
The Waverley Woolen Mills (1874) are still operating with the original machinery (can be visited).
