Why go
- City in Tasmania, Australia.
- Served by Launceston Airport (LST).
History
Launceston is a city in the north of Tasmania, Australia, at the confluence of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the River Tamar (kanamaluka). As of 2021, the Launceston urban area has a population of 90,953. Launceston is the second most populous city in Tasmania after the state capital, Hobart. As of 2020, Launceston is the 18th largest city in Australia. Launceston is the fifth-largest inland city and the ninth-largest non-capital city in Australia. Launceston is regarded as the most livable regional city, and was one of the most popular regional cities to move to in Australia from 2020 to 2021. Launceston was named Australian Town of the Year in 2022.
Where to stay
The Dragonfly Inn, 14 St Andrews St, West Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · thedragonflyinn.com.au
17 Brisbane St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · theflorance.com.au
22 High St, East Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · windarraonhigh.com.au
50 Tamar St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · hotelverge.com.au
141A George St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · hideawayongeorge.com.au
12 York St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · waratahonyork.com.au
3 Brisbane St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · all.accor.com
270-280 York St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · arthotelonyork.com
19 York St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · balmoralonyork.com.au
25 York St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · changeovernight.co
23 George St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · sportsgardenhotel.com.au
110 Frederick St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · auldington.com.au
29 Cameron St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · grandchancellorhotels.com
3 Brisbane St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · thehotellaunceston.com.au
17/19 Wellington St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · podinn.com.au
252 Charles St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · sportieshotel.com.au
120 Bathurst St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · centennialinn.net.au
13 Brisbane St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · commodoreregent.com.au
16 Paterson St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · questapartments.com.au
113 Charles St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · starbarcafeandhotel.com.au
31 Elizabeth St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · choicehotels.com
3 Earl St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · bestwestern.com
10 York St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia · coachhouselaunceston.com.au
84-100 Westbury Rd, South Launceston TAS 7249, Australia · tasvillagemotel.com
Restaurants & places to go
Coffee Shop, Pastry, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-18:00 · 298 West Tamar Highway, 7250 · banjos.com.au
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · mcdonalds.com.au
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-14:30, 16:30-19:30; Sa 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00 · 16-24 Charles Street, 7250 · nnrtastic.com.au
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 17:30-23:00 · 23 Quadrant Mall, 7250 · pachinko.net.au
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 17:00-21:00 · 19 George Street, 7250 · toongthongthai.com.au
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, step-free access · dominos.com.au
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · kfc.com.au
Noodle, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · noodlebox.com.au
Sandwich, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · subway.com.au
Steak House, Restaurant · Steak House restaurant · 90-110 Willis Street, 7250 · hogsbreath.com.au
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-18:00 · 146 Brisbane Street, 7250 · facebook.com
Fish, Seafood, Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,17:00-21:30 · jailhousegrill.com.au
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 13:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 13:00-00:00; Su 12:00-20:00 · 25-31 Wellington Street, 7250
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant · 123 Lawrence Vale Road, 7249 · dongsheng.com.au
Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Mexican, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 222 York Street, 7250
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-15:00, We-Th 09:00-15:00,17:00-20:00, Fr 09:00-15:00,17:00-21:00, Sa 08:30-16:00,17:00-21:00, Su 08:30-16:00 · 55… · apricuslaunceston.com.au
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 06:30-14:30; Sa 07:30-13:00; Jan-Feb off Features: outdoor seating
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-16:00
Fast Food · fast food · cheesecake.com.au
Asian, Cafe · Asian cafe
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Fish And Chips, Cafe · Fish And Chips cafe
Seafood, Fast Food · Seafood fast food
Other, Restaurant · Other restaurant
Cafe · cafe · 74 Charles Street, 7250 · charliesdesserthouse.com
Ice Cream · ice cream · wendysmilkbar.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 05:15-21:00; Th-Fr 05:15-21:00; Sa 05:15-18:00; Su 07:15-21:00 Features: takeaway · hudsonscoffee.com.au
Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-20:30 Features: takeaway, delivery · 105 St John Street, 7250 · burgerjunkie.com.au
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Vietnamese restaurant
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · bentolegana.com.au
Thai, Fast Food · Thai fast food
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · pizzahut.com.au
Chicken, Portuguese, Restaurant · Chicken/Portuguese restaurant
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Bubble Tea cafe · 155 Charles Street, 7250
Fish, Fast Food · Features: step-free access
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 17:00-21:00 Features: takeaway
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant · 22 Margaret Street, 7250 · susieshoongfatt.yolasite.com
Restaurant · restaurant · bestwesternhotellaunceston.com.au
Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 16:00-21:00 Features: halal · 80 Pomona Road, 7250
Asian, Restaurant · Asian restaurant
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food
185 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Launceston Airport (LST) 13 km to the centre
201 Evandale Rd, Western Junction TAS 7212 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 4 airlines (Jetstar Airways, Sharp Airlines, Virgin Australia, Qantas) · direct flights to 5 destinations incl. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Burnie, Flinders Island (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 5 direct destinations
- Jetstar Airways JQ (A320) · 3 routes: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
- Sharp Airlines SH (SWM) · 2 routes: Burnie, Flinders Island
- Virgin Australia VA (737-800, Embraer 190) · 2 routes: Melbourne*, Sydney*
- Qantas QF (Dash 8-400, Dash 8-300) · 1 route: Melbourne*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
St Helens Airport (HLS) 97 km to the centre
TAS, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Rostella Airport 14 km to the centre
Dilston, TAS, AU
Longdown Airport 28 km to the centre
Longford, TAS, AU
Valley Field Airport 43 km to the centre
Epping Forest, TAS, AU
Campbell Town Airport 67 km to the centre
Campbell Town, TAS, AU
Getting there by ferry
Cataract Cruises
Ferry terminal · 0.8 km from the centre · Tamar River Cruises
Tamar River Cruises
Ferry terminal · 0.9 km from the centre · Tamar River Cruises
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Launceston Airport (LST); 9 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: LST has direct flights to 5 destinations on 4 airlines (incl. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Burnie, Flinders Island). By water: 2 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Cataract Cruises, 0.8 km).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Launceston, Tasmania. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Bus · Burnie, Tasmania · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
Rail operator
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach