Air Adventure Australia

Destination Profile - Launceston, Tasmania

Launceston, located on the Tamar River, where the North and South Esk Rivers converge, is the major city in the north of Tasmania and is also the third oldest city in the whole of Australia.

It was explored by Bass and Flinders in 1798, although it was founded by Patersonia, and primarily named after its founder. The name changed in 1907 when the Governor King (whose name was Launceston) was born in Launceston, Cornwall, England, on the Tamar River. Launceston has many parks and gardens, which incorporate European trees such as oaks and elms. It has a population of approx 63,000.

There are also a number of wonderful parks around the city, with pretty gardens, fountains and other attractions. These include City Park, Prince's Square, Punchbowl Reserve, Royal Park, Trevallyn Recreation Area and Windmill Reserve. There are also some architecturally interesting buildings around the city, featuring beautiful Georgian style.

Launceston is a city of contrasts - a short walk from the graceful Victorian-era facades is the scenic Cataract Gorge Reserve, with its tree rhododendrons and peacocks, fern glades and spacious lawns.

The landscape around Launceston is very attractive, with the nearby Cataract Gorge being an absolute must. Located only 1.6 km from the city centre, it is situated on the South Esk River banks and makes up part of a nature reserve. There are several walking tracks around the gorge, which are all under an hour and well worth it. The gorge is also spectacular at night when it is beautifully lit up.

To get to the southern side of the river, visitors have three choices: to walk across the Alexandra Suspension Bridge, take the 308 metre chairlift, or walk across rocks forming a natural footbridge.

The suspension bridge is known to the locals as the "Swinging Bridge", as it swings noticeably from side to side as it is walked upon. The Basin Chairlift has the longest single chairlift span in the world, and the views from it are breathtaking. The chairlift has operated since 1973. The only person to walk across this span was the high wire acrobat, Alfons Bugler, who did it in 1987

Key industries of the city are community services, wholesale, retail, and manufacturing. Within the region, agriculture, fishing, forestry and tourism play major roles.

This destination is part of the Cradled into Freycinet Bay Australian Adventure.