Unusual Things To Do in Launceston
As a local I often get asked about things to do in Launceston, especially the more unusual and authentic activities.
With Launceston being inscribed on the UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy list in 2021 you will be spoilt for choice in food, wine, beer and spirits.
So we have a few suggestions for things to be doing for nature, fresh air and culture before settling down to a meal fit for a King!
Source: The Examiner
Launceston Walking Tours
Geoff is a local historian and works at the University of Tasmania teaching Aboriginal studies, cultural awareness and history of the State.
He runs a variety of tours in Launceston and at the Cataract Gorge that are both entertaining, informative and a perfect activity for exploring and learning about Launceston.
Find out more about Geoff’s fantastic tours here and learn what makes Launceston so special.
Launceston Kayak Tours
Located at the Old Launceston Seaport, we offer regular 90-minute scenic tours of the Launceston waterfront. Featuring Hobie kayaks with foot-powered pedal drives, the tours are safe and stable, perfect for beginners!
The Tamar River Tour takes in the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers on the Tamar river / kanamaluka.
Our tours are super popular with couples looking to see the city from a different angle. You can choose a double for a nice and romantic experience or choose singles so you can take pictures of one another. Of course the tours also welcome families as well as solo travelers. Our kayak tours are great if you’re looking for outdoor activities in Launceston, if you’re wanting to get out onto t
Weekends are a popular time and we also offer tours during the week. Because of the tidal nature of the Tamar River, session availability will vary. The morning tours with high tides usually make for the best reflections. Check out our available times.
A range of other tours, locations and fishing activities are available on request.
Source: QVMAG
QVMAG
The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery is at two separate locations. Both are located a short walk from the city centre and are great indoor activities perfect for colder, rainy days in Launceston.
The Art Gallery at Royal Park houses many classical and contemporary collections plus the fascinating First Nations Story display.
The Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk is an often overlooked location with some diverse collections covering early Tasmanian and Australian history, natural sciences history, art exhibitions as well as the Launceston Planetarium.
It is an amazing way to learn about the many influences that make our hometown what it is.
For more information about what’s on at both sites check out QVMAG website here.
Source: Bicylce Network Tasmania
Miles of bike and scooter paths
In addition to the many on-road bike paths in the city streets, Launceston has an extensive network of shared-use paths for bikes, scooters, and pedestrian use. Most of these are focused along the river edges, parks and reserves, making it a great way to explore Launceston’s parks.
There are many places to hire a bike, and multiple scooter hire companies have fleets of fun electric scooters that offer a convenient way to explore as you can leave them at many places once you have done exploring.
The City of Launceston website has plenty of information and sources on their Recreation page, including a bike trails map by Tamar Bicycle Users Group. This can be found at the bottom of this page here.
Source: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
Tamar Island Wetlands
The Tamar river is in fact not a river but an estuary and one of the longest in the southern hemisphere as well. Just a short drive along the West Tamar Highway, the wetlands centre offers a great way to see this diverse ecosystem up close via a boardwalk linking the visitors centre to Tamar Island.
Take a stroll with your partner or bring the family along to learn about the wetlands and enjoy a scenic picnic from the island.
For more information about the wetlands and how to get there check out the Tas parks and wildlife page.
