Things To Do in Launceston

Launceston is easy to explore on foot. A must for any visitor is a stroll with Launceston Historic Walks (tel. 03/6331 2213), which leaves from the "1842" building on the corner of St. John and Cimitiere streets at 4pm on Mondays and 10am Tuesday to Saturday. The 1-hour walk gives a fascinating insight into Launceston's history and costs A$15. Grayline (tel. 1300/858 687 in Australia; www.grayline.com.au) operates a 2 1/2 hr. coach tour of the city. It costs A$42 for adults and A$21 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, and you can walk there along the river bank from the city in about 15 minutes. The South Esk River flows through the gorge and collects in a small lake called the Basin, traversed by a striking suspension bridge and the longest single-span chairlift in the world (308m/1,010 ft.). The chairlift (tel. 03/6331 5915; www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au) is open daily from 9am to 4:30pm and costs A$15 for adults and A$10 for children under 16, round-trip. The hike to the Duck Reach Power Station, now an interpretive center, takes about 45 minutes. Other walks in the area are shorter and easier. The Gorge Restaurant (tel. 03/6331 3330; closed Mon) and the kiosk next door is open daily, with glorious views from the outdoor tables.

Tamar River Cruises (tel. 03/6334 9900; www.tamarrivercruises.com.au) offers regular 50-minute cruises to Cataract Gorge up the Tamar River from Home Point Wharf in Launceston. The cost is A$25 adults, A$12 children 5 to 17, and A$62 for families of four.