Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

LAUNCESTON 623
area. The Victorian-Italianate Town Hall is 2 blocks north on Civic Square, and
opposite the red brick Post Office building dating from 1889. The Tamar River
slips quietly past the city’s northern edge and is crossed at two points by Charles
Bridge and Tamar Street. City Park, to the northeast of the central business district,
is a nice place for a stroll.
EXPLORING THE CITY & ENVIRONS
Launceston is easily explored by foot. A must for any visitor is a stroll with
Launceston Historic Walks (& 03/6331 3679; harris.m@bigpond.com),
which leave from the Gateway Tasmania Travel Centre Monday through Friday
at 9:45am. (Weekend walks can also be arranged.) The hour-long walk gives a
fascinating insight into Launceston’s history and costs A$10 (US$6.50). City
Sights (& 03/6336 3122), on the corner of St. John and Paterson streets, runs
city tours daily by replica tram. Tours cost A$23 (US$15) for adults and A$16
(US$10) for children under 16. Otherwise, Tasmanian Tours & Travel Tigerline
(& 1300/653 633 or 03/6272 6611) operates a half-day coach tour of the
city, plus a boat cruise, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am. It
costs A$39 (US$25) for adults and A$23 (US$15) for children.
A must see is Cataract Gorge , the result of violent earthquakes that rattled
Tasmania some 40 million years ago. It’s a wonderfully scenic area just 10 minutes
from Launceston. The South Esk River flows through the gorge and collects
in a small lake traversed by a striking yellow suspension bridge and the longest
single span chair lift in the world. The chair lift (& 03/6331 5915) is open
daily from 9am to 4:30pm (except June 23–Aug 11, when it operates on Sat–
Sun only), and costs A$5 (US$3.25) for adults and A$3 (US$1.95) for children
under 16. Outdoor concerts are sometimes held on the lake bank. The hike to
the Duck Reach Power Station takes about 45 minutes. Take good footwear and
a raincoat. Other walks in the area are shorter and easier. The Gorge Restaurant
(& 03/6331 3330) and the kiosk next door serve meals with glorious views
from the outdoor tables.
Tamar River Cruises (& 03/6334 9900) offers lunch, afternoon, and evening
buffet dinner cruises up the Tamar River from Home Point Wharf in Launceston.
Mountain biking is popular in this area. Contact Tasmanian Expeditions
(& 1800/030 230 in Australia, or 03/6334 3477) for information on its 4- to
7-day trips along the east coast in summer. You can rent bicycles from the youth
hostel at 36 Thistle St. (& 03/6344 9779) for A$11 (US$7.15) per day for a
touring bike or A$18 (US$12) per day for a mountain bike. (Also hire bushwalking
equipment, including boots, tents, sleeping bags, and stoves.)
The Trevallyn State Recreation Area, on the outskirts of Launceston off
Reatta Road, is a man-made lake surrounded by a beautiful wildlife reserve with
several walking tracks. There are barbecue facilities, picnic areas, and a beach.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Aquarius Roman Baths Adorned with gold, Italian marble, and works of
art, this remarkable Romanesque structure is worth visiting just for the architectural
experience. Indulge in warm, hot, and cold water baths; visit the steam
room; or get a massage or a beauty makeover.
127 George St. & 03/6331 2255. Admission to baths and hot rooms A$20 (US$13) for 1, A$33 (US$21) for
2. Treatments extra. Mon–Fri 8:30am–9pm; Sat–Sun 9am–6pm.
The Old Umbrella Shop Built in the 1860s, this unique shop is the last genuine
period store in Tasmania and has been operated by the same family since