Two Days in Launceston

Be there for Festivale and walk to Cataract Gorge

Launceston in Tasmania's second biggest city and one of Australia's oldest. Let's get started, shall we?

Staying at a place known as Batman and Fawkner Inn, they had reasonably priced dorms and free internet. It also lays claim to a bit of Aussie history being the location where Melbourne was Founded. While that fact does not justify a higher per night price tag, the free WiFi does. As well, this is a better location than The Hub Bar and Hostel, in Launceston. Let me explain.

As a bar, I am sure it is great with loud music, sticky floors and bar fights but as an accommodation you should steer clear. Now, I am not a master thief, but I could have easily broken into my own double room either via the window or with a credit card slipped into the door jam. Felt real good leaving my personal effects in that room.

Walking around Launceston you get to enjoy the architecture that has lined the streets since the 1800's.

As a burger connoisseur, I will be seeking out the best burgers throughout this glorious nation. First announcement: Burger Got Soul is divine. The burgers, like the rest of Australia, are expensive, but they are portions the size of your face. Have you ever tried eating your face? It's not easy.
The order of chips was huge as well, with a small, being plenty for 2 people to chow down on.

One gripe though. Milk shakes are very heavy on the milk and light on the ice cream. What gives, Australia? It's supposed to be thick and creamy, not liquidy. This has happened before at an Ice Cream shop in Narooma, and I expect it is just how they are made here. Disappointingly so.

The port at Launceston holds claim to another of Australia's unoriginally named and overly expensive Fish N Chips joints. This one is called "Fish N Chips". A Fish Sandwich here will run you about $15. Great location, expensive food. Sounds like par for the course, and for that it gets a mention, but no more than that.

To fullfil one of your days in Launceston, check out Cataract Park on a sunny summer day. You can hike around for free or even better still, go abseiling. The easy paths are paved with the advanced paths having steps and rough terrain, also not good for people with hangovers.

During certain afternoons in the park the lucky few will be serenaded by the now world famous, TromBot. Seriously, for a trombonist, this guy has great selection. Journey, AC/DC, Sting, and Cream have all been known to escape his Bone. Throw him a few AUD, make a request and go hiking. You can actually here him from quite a ways into the woods. Check out TromBot on YouTube as well.
Cheers, Darren. Keep it up.

Cataract Gorge has an interesting past as a hydro power plant. One of the first of its Kind, I believe. You can take a stroll back to the site of the once active plant and see its rusting glory. This is actually not the plant, but the machine that helped carry materials across the gorge known as the Flying Fox.

Launceston Tasmania is a great little town any day of the summer. For an even better experience go, during that one weekend in February known as Festivale.