Launceston Tamar and the North Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Colours in the afternoon on the South Esk river in Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
Colours in the afternoon on the South Esk river in Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
Deloraine in the early morning mist, snow capped mountains in the distance, mist rising over the town as the sun slowly rises.
As I said elsewhere, there is so much more to Cradle Mountain than just Dove Lake.  I drive about 100 kms, starting around 3.30 a.m. and dodging about 30 pademelons (type of wallaby) and two spotted quolls before reaching Dove Lake.  Then I set out in the dark and walked for about 2 hours to reach this spot, hoping all the way the weather would hold.  Can't begin to describe my joy when I found it like this.  
Little Horn is the immediate peak you can see with Cradle Mountain behind it.  If you get the chance, pencil in Twisted Lakes.  You'll probably have it all to yourself.
Then the top of Little Horn peeps up on the horizon, maybe I’m getting close I think.  Within another 20 metres the whole purpose of the excursion becomes apparent.  The vista before me is simply breathtaking.  Twisted Lakes is but a mirror, everything I’d hoped and planned for has come to fruition.
When you come upon something as good as this, it’s overwhelming.  The sheer majesty of the panorama engulfs you, its power makes you feel so humble in its presence, there’s a distinct aura of “something else”, but it’s indefinable.  It’s all my grey matter can do to remind me that I’m here to actually take photos.  You just don’t want to stop looking for fear that it will all go away and you’ll be denied any more pleasure; but it stays as I set up the tripod.  It’s not often I put myself in the picture, but here I feel it’s a must.  Then I can look at it and remember just where I sat and how good it was.
There are many angles to be had here.  Faint trails indicate where other photographers have been, little flattened sections indicative of footfalls.  It takes me around 15 minutes to get what I came for and then I sit down and enjoy breakfast, although “enjoy” seems like a totally inadequate verb in this case, there is a higher plane involved here, one you get to experience so few times in life.
The cloud has started to form more seriously now, as predicted, and it adds a little to the experience.  Changing lens and shifting position constantly I can but hope I’ve got it covered and, even as I’m moving around, the first gentle ripples of the day’s breezes disturb the surface.  Had I been here any later I would have missed it.  You like to think it’s good fortune but reflect on that fact that you’ve planned it for a week, constantly following the weather patterns, in the hope that you’ll get it right and leaving early enough to avoid all the problems that occur later.
#Nature

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Where to stay in Launceston Tamar and the North

Only a 10 minute drive north of Launceston, the perfect way to start your morning is with a leisurely 3km return walk through the wetlands to Tamar Island.

Get there early enough and you’ll have the walk all to yourself. A boardwalk extends over swamps and crosses the river to two islets and then Tamar Island,

Riverside

Restaurants, shopping and river views highlight some of the noteworthy features of Riverside. Make a stop by Tasmania Zoo or Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Riverside
Cataract Gorge

West Launceston

You'll enjoy the restaurants and parks in West Launceston. You might want to make time for a stop at Cataract Gorge or Cataract Gorge Reserve.

West Launceston
Cataract Gorge Reserve at Launceston in Tasmania, Australia

South Launceston

If you're spending time in South Launceston, you might enjoy its restaurants and spas. If you've got time to venture a little farther, you can make a stop by Centro Meadow Mews Shopping Centre or Brisbane Street Mall.

South Launceston
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East Launceston

Restaurants and gardens are notable features of East Launceston. You might consider stopping by Launceston Aquatic Centre while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

East Launceston
panoramic view of cliffs and native tree park area at Cataract gorge national park, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Prospect Vale

Prospect Vale is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Country Club Tasmania and Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area while you're in town.

Prospect Vale
Still day in the Tamar Valley - it was late afternoon when I got this shot

Legana

Wineries and shopping are just a few things travellers like about Legana. A stop by Velo Winery is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Legana
Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments

3.5 out of 5
147 Paterson Street Launceston TAS
The price is £76 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
£76
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
We had a family weekend stay for our first trip to Tassie. I really liked how quirky this accommodation looked and it didnt disappoint. Old brick building, beautiful beams, gorgeous door in keeping with its older style. We were in the section by reception and noise was not an issue (I'd been a little ...

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel & Apartments
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

4.5 out of 5
29 Cameron Street Launceston TAS
The price is £92 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
£92
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
The exterior, lobby and restaurant are clean and welcoming. That ends when you step off the elevator. The halls are dark, dirty with torn soiled carpet, and desperately need renovation. The room is dirty, depressing, dark and old. The bed was extremely uncomfortable. Clearly a mattress from 10-15 ...

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
Village Family Motor Inn

Village Family Motor Inn

3 out of 5
84-100 Westbury Road South Launceston TAS
The price is £63 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
£63
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa motel in Launceston. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (1,003 reviews)
Don't go by the advertised photos. The bathroom stink..bathroom door doesn't get close...the property is very old.. I liked indoor heated swimming pool facility..

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Village Family Motor Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Launceston Central Apartment Hotel

Launceston Central Apartment Hotel

4 out of 5
16 Paterson Street Launceston TAS
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, dry cleaning or laundry services and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (643 reviews)
Rooms were spacious and modern. Had issues with the TV wanting to update while watching but couldn't figure out how to dismiss that due to the remote being a generic one and not setup for the type of TV properly. Didn't realise that until reception was closed to spent a big bunch of time trying to ...

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Launceston Central Apartment Hotel
Country Club Villas

Country Club Villas

4 out of 5
Casino Rise Prospect Vale TAS
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,906 reviews)
The room was clean, but the single bedroom unit we stayed in had no views except for the fences and the rooms of the neighbouring property. The carpet is old and the faucets requires maintenance.

Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026

Country Club Villas
Change Overnight

Change Overnight

3.5 out of 5
25 York St Launceston TAS
Stay at this apartment in Launceston. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Princess Theatre and Quadrant ...
Change Overnight
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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