Launceston
Launceston is a compact city in northern Tasmania, known for the Cataract Gorge walks and the Tamar Valley wineries a short drive north.
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Launceston is a compact city in northern Tasmania, where the North Esk and South Esk rivers meet to form the Tamar. Its best-known site is Cataract Gorge, a steep cut in the cliffs a short walk from the centre. Paths follow the gorge, a river pool sits within it, and a chairlift carries visitors across the water. Older streets hold buildings from the city's early decades.
The Tamar Valley wine region starts a short drive north of the city, with cellar doors along the river. Evandale, a village to the south, keeps much of its historic streetscape. Launceston works well as a base for a trip built around walking, food and wine, or as a stop between the north coast and the highlands. Plan two or three days. Late spring through autumn is the most comfortable time for walking the gorge and visiting vineyards, while winter is cooler and wetter.
Launceston in five
- Walk to Cataract Gorge from the centerDiscover Tasmania describes a 5 km stretch of forested river reserve about a 15-minute walk from the city. The First Basin has a swimming pool in summer, lawns and a free inclinator.Cataract Gorge
- Ride the Gorge Scenic Chairlift for the viewThe chairlift runs about 457 m station to station, with a 308 m central span that is the longest of its kind. Chairs run from 9am year-round, with evening closing times depending on the season.
- Taste the Tamar Valley Wine TrailThe trail links about 30 cellar doors on both sides of the Tamar. Discover Tasmania calls the east bank the sparkling side; use a driver or tour if you plan more than a couple of tastings.Launceston day trips
- Visit Evandale and the convict estatesEvandale's townscape is National Trust classified, and Brickendon and Woolmers estates near Longford are UNESCO World Heritage convict sites linked by a 2.8 km Convict Farm Walk.
- Sort out Tasmania's park pass before you drive onTasmania sells Parks Passes online for national parks. Check the pass options before you leave the city for the wider island.Tasmania travel guide
Things to do in Launceston
See all attractions in Launceston
Need to know
- Airport
- Launceston (LST)
- Getting there
- Flights from the mainland, or by road from elsewhere in Tasmania
- Getting around
- Walk the center; hire car for the valley and the estates
- Best base
- The city center, within walking distance of the gorge
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh25°Low12°Warm, long daysJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- FebruaryClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Warm, dryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Mild, harvestMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, harvest
- AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Cool, autumn colorAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn color
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cool, showersMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, wetJunePartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°ColdestJulyPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coldest
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, showersAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, showers
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Spring, windySeptemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, windy
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Cool, bloomsOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, blooms
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Mild, long daysNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Warm, busyDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
Average daily high and low in Launceston, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Launceston
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 24%
Launceston
08:58 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°9°24%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Wed18°9°92%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Thu19°7°18%Thursday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Fri17°7°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat15°5°33%Saturday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun18°5°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 07:07 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tamar Valley Wine Traila short drive northAbout 30 cellar doors on both sides of the river, with sparkling wines on the east bank.
- Evandale, Longford and Rossshort drives southConvict estates at Brickendon and Woolmers, a historic bridge at Ross.
- Mole Creek caves and Delorainewest toward the Great Western TiersLimestone caves with glow-worms and a wildlife sanctuary.
Before you go to Launceston
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Launceston, checked
- Gorge Scenic Chairlift: chairs run from 9am year-round; evening closing depends on the season; a free inclinator reaches the First Basin.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Launceston
Parks pass, car hire and the island loop
Read the guideHobartMONA, Salamanca Market and Bruny Island
Read the guideMelbourneThe usual mainland departure point
Read the guideAll of AustraliaETA, regions, flights and money basics
Read the guideFlights and car hireLong distances and one-way rentals
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for cancellations and remote travel
Read the guideLaunceston FAQ
How many days do you need in Launceston?
Two days cover Cataract Gorge, the city and a Tamar Valley tasting. A third day adds Evandale and the convict estates or the Mole Creek caves. Longer stays suit those using Launceston as a northern Tasmania base.
Is Cataract Gorge free?
The gorge is public parkland a short walk from the city. The chairlift, the pool and the cafes run on their own terms and seasons, so check the City of Launceston page and the operators for current arrangements.
Is Launceston worth visiting?
Yes for a compact city with a spectacular gorge, strong food and wine, and heritage estates nearby. It is a good base before Cradle Mountain or the east coast if you add a hire car.
How do you get around Launceston?
The center is flat enough to walk, and the gorge is about 15 minutes away on foot. For the Tamar Valley, the estates and the caves, a hire car or a tour is practical.
When is the best time to visit Launceston?
Summer and early autumn have warm, long days, and autumn adds color in the valley. Winter is cold, with the highest rainfall and frosty mornings, though the city is quieter.