When is the best time of year to fly to Launceston?

It really is a solid tie between Summer and Spring. Days are at their warmest between December to March, while Spring has warm days and cool nights – perfect for outdoor activities.

The busiest months for travel to Launceston is September, followed by October and January. Prices for both hotels and flights may increase during these months, though you can always save if you purchase your accommodation and flight to Launceston well in advance with Virgin Australia.

Summer

Summer (December to February) is one of the best, and driest, times to visit Launceston, offering a comfortable temperature. It’s the ideal time for outdoor adventures, and a great time to catch the many events and festivals, including MONA FOMA, the free Sci-Fi Film Festival and Music in the Park, and World Eats 2020. Don’t miss Tasmania’s premium summer event - the 3-day Festivale - with its many signature events including Indulge, a unique event held at UTS stadium, sampling a curated menu at a table on the playing field.

Autumn

Autumn (March to May) is a stunning time of year to fly to Launceston, when the season colours light up the city. The perfect time to explore the city and surrounds and tempt your tastebuds at Tasmania Food and Wine Festival, generally held in March.

Winter

Winter (June to August) is an ideal time to rug up and enjoy winter activities – visit galleries, antique stores, and sample the local truffle and pinot. Enjoy the cellar doors in Tamar Valley, just 10 minutes outside of Launceston; explore Launceston’s historic streets; boutique stores; and the urban playground of Cataract Gorge – a patch of wilderness minutes from the City where you can hike trails and rock climb.

Spring

Spring (September to November) is officially the wettest time of year, however don’t let the weather stop the exploring. If you’re visiting Launceston in September don’t miss the Junction Arts Festival – Launceston’s streets, buildings and public space play host to a contemporary arts and music festival.

What are Launceston's top attractions?

Launceston offers so much to see and do - from galleries and museums, natural scenery, attending festivals, or a tour of the nearby wineries and legendary James Boag Brewery.

James Boag Brewery Experience

Over 160 years ago James Boag moved to (the then) untamed island of Tasmania from bonny Scotland where he began brewing, later setting up James Boag Brewery in 1881.

Join a tour for the ultimate beer lover’s experience, where you’ll be guided through every stage of the brewing and packaging process, ending with a tasting of Tassie cheese with your James Boag beer.

Enjoy a drink in the bar or join one of the regular events such as trivia or a comedy show.

National Automobile Museum of Tasmania

The National Automobile Museum of Tasmania, now relocated to Launceston, homes 100 years of motoring collections.

The museum features constantly changing cars and motorcycles, plus varied theme displays each year. A fun new feature is ‘The Hall of Muscle’, a celebration of the Australian Muscle Car.

With over 100 exhibits the Museum also features a gift shop.

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG)

A short drive from Launceston’s CBD you’ll find the cultural and creative heartbeat, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG).

Spread across two sites minutes-drive apart - the 1870s era railway workshop at Inveresk, and the 1891 Royal Park Art Gallery building on Wellington Street.

At the Inveresk site you’ll see artefacts from Australia’s oldest merchant shipwreck, dinosaurs and even death masks. This site is also home to the Phenomena Factory - fantastic for families and free to enter, it’s an interactive science centre. Another must-do is a visit to the Launceston Planetarium.

The Royal Park Art Gallery is a landmark for phenomenal and changing exhibitions, some examples are ArtRage 2020 and Natural Visions, and events such as MONA FOMA and Sci-Fi Film Fest.

Narawntapu National Park

A 90-minute drive from Launceston and you’ll discover Narawntapu National Park, a coastal haven with an abundant wildlife. A nature lover’s paradise to experience Tasmania’s wildlife, from bird species, Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, and pademelons grazing on the open grassland.

Festivals and Events

Launceston is home to Tasmania’s key summer festivals and events including MONA FOMA, Sci-Fi Film Festival, Music in the Park, and World Eats 2020.

A premium summer event is the 3-day Festivale – which includes Indulge, where you’ll sample the best of Tassie at a table located on the field of UTS Stadium.

If visiting in March join the Tasmania Food and Wine Festival.

Art Studios

Launceston is renowned for its incredible art studios and galleries in and around the CBD, including Tasmanian Glassblowers, Greenoaks Gallery and the Design Tasmanian Wood Collection.

Evandale

On your return to Launceston Airport drop into the National Trust classified village of Evandale, a quaint Georgian Village lined with a handful of galleries and antique stores.

Where to eat in Launceston?

Launceston has a lot of food specialities – truffles, cheeses, wagyu beef and pacific oysters – and alongside this it packs a punch of places to eat.

From a cellar-door lunch at nearby Josef Chromy Wines in Tamar Valley, Black Cow Bistro in the CBD for premium Tasmanian beef (and a cheeky single malt after), to a gourmet burger at Burger Junkie, Launceston has your back for bistros and restaurants.

Where to find the best Cafes?

Launceston is a thriving little café city. With a flooded café market in a small town this means fierce competition. We’ve hand-picked some of the best for you.

Try Sweetbrew – a quirky café with a claim to ‘push boundaries towards a better, nicer and more caffeinated world’.

Amelia Coffee Co. put simply claims they ‘concentrate on coffee’, and if you’re visiting Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery pop into Blue Café & Bar for a great meal, set in a funky converted industrial building.

Where to find the best dining?

Launceston offers the whole shebang, from burger joints to fine dining.

If in search of the best burger, head to Burger Junkie or Saint John Craft Beer Bar.

If looking for a more upscale meal visit Stillwater, perched on the water located within an old flour mill, and enjoy a wine paired 5-course meal. Or visit Rupert & Hound – located in a converted shipyard and dry-dock this restaurant has a dedicated upscale vegan, vegetarian and dairy friendly menu. They’ve even perfected a gluten-free beer battered fish – hooray!

For lovers of seafood who don’t mind a wee 2-hour drive, you can’t miss dining at Freycinet Marine Farm – their speciality is the oysters and mussels harvested at their farm, alongside scallops, rock lobster delicacies.

Taking a fresh approach to European fare is Geronimo Aperitivo Bar and Restaurant, with its changing menu designed for sharing, alongside a curated beverage menu.

And if finding a fabulous steak is your thing visit the renowned Black Cow Bistro – showcasing the best of Tasmania’s beef.

Where to find the best food markets?

The top food market in Launceston is undeniably Harvest Launceston Community Farmers’ Market. Don’t just take our word, it was awarded “Australia’s Most Outstanding Farmers Market” by ABC Delicious Magazine, over several years.

Held each Saturday morning in the heart of the Tamar Valley this market brings the farm to you. Literally. Meet the farmers, feast your eyes on the freshest seasonal produce including meat and fish, local dairy, pastries and bread, and seasonal fruit.

Another notable food market is Young’s Vegie Shed, known for value friendly quality fruit and vegetables, cheeses and meats.

Where to find the best cheap eats?

Cheap eats are easy to find in Launceston, with loads of value meals in cafes, restaurants and markets.

Try Smokey Joe’s for flavoursome creole fare, Fresh on Charles for vegetarian, Garden of Vegan for tasty Vietnamese and South American vegan meals, or Sugar Shack Bakery Café for delicious cheap meals.

Where to shop in Launceston?

Launceston offers everything from sweet shops, design studios, farmers markets, galleries, gift shops, a factory outlet, boutiques - and even a clock shop and chocolate factory – all within the Launceston CBD and close surrounds.

For something local

No visit to Launceston is complete without a visit to Waverley Mills with their incredible range of cotton and wool wearables, throws, blankets and more.

For the lovers of vintage and antiques

Tucked away in little Launceston are some treasure-trove vintage and antique shops.

Venture to the locals’ favourite Red Fox Antiques - stocked with furniture, crystal, jewellery, and vintage clothing; then on to Junk-St-Store (all funk, no junk) in Invermay for their quality vintage retro mid-century furniture, kitchenalia, and homewares.

In South Launceston don’t miss Seven Sisters Antiques with their great range of furniture, jewellery and collectables.

Have a peek at Current Vintage and you’ll discover their beautifully restored range of mid-century modern (MCM) furniture.

If you’re lucky you might even find a vintage piece at one of the many op-shops.

For everything in between

For all your general retail needs make your way to Launceston CBD and close surrounds, where you’ll find Brisbane Street Mall, Centreway Arcade, Quadrant Mall for ‘ye olde’ shops, and the fast fashion shops on Charles Street.