Tasmania – A tourist hotspot

Tasmania is a place of wild and beautiful landscapes, friendly people with a relaxed island lifestyle, wonderful food and wine, and a haunting history evoked by world-famous convict ruins. It's also Australia's smallest state and the most geographically diverse with over 40 per cent reserved as national parks and world heritage wilderness. No matter where you go, whether you spend time in one place or drive around the island, we know you'll be delighted by what you'll find and surprised at how much bigger Tasmania is on the inside.

Northern Region - The Destination, fun for all the family

Tasmania's north is a feast of historic streetscapes and heritage estates, rich farmland, premier cool-climate wines, fresh produce and a haven for designers and craft makers eager to talk about their work.

The largest city in the region - and second largest in the state - is Launceston, a vibrant hub for food and wine and culture. There's also a touch of wilderness with Cataract Gorge just a few minutes walk from the city centre.

The city is located on the banks of the Tamar River and is the gateway to the Tamar Valley, a region where English conservatism sits happily alongside the unconventional and off beat.

Out of Launceston, the surrounding green fields and country lanes are lined with 150 year old hawthorn, poplar and elm trees, while in the rich farmland of the Tamar Valley you'll find lavender plantations, vineyards, strawberry farms and orchards.

This idyllic setting will satisfy other interests too, from those of history enthusiasts to nature lovers.

The nearby town of Longford with it's grand old World Heritage listed estates of Woolmers and Brickendon, offer visitors the chance to enjoy the architecture and community spirit of 19th century English villages made relevant for today. Many are now luxury retreats that offer a uniquely Tasmanian experience, combining old world elegance with a relaxed, new world style.

And for those interested in wildlife, nearby Narawntapu National Park provides many opportunities to see Australia's unique animals as does Mt William National Park in the north-east with its sparkling granite boulders covered with bright orange lichen, long sandy beaches and clear, blue seas.

All About Tasmania - http://www.northerntasmania.com.au/

Northern Tasmania offers a haven of nourished farmland, which creates fresh, beautiful produce such as well acclaimed truffles, seafood and velvety cool climate wines.

Along with farmland Launceston and Northern Tasmania is a gate way for many adventure activities as it provides vast rugged wilderness. Mountain biking enthusiasts come not only to experience the gnarly tails, but also to feel the serenity that the untouched wilderness of national parks provides. However, this type of intimacy with nature is also enjoyed proudly by road cyclists too as they ride along our back roads; a streetscape of vineyards, farmland and the occasional historic charming nod that only a eighteenth century cottage can provide.

Events are a plenty in Launceston and Northern Tasmania. Festivale offers a wide range of local food and wine for you to enjoy under the stars at Launceston’s City Park. If you prefer sport, Aurora Stadium in Launceston hosts five Hawthorn home games every year, the Launceston Racecourse runs the Betfair Launceston Cup annually and the V8 supercars come down to Symmons Plains raceway in late march.

Launceston and Northern Tasmania is home to inspired designers, artists and makers who tell the stories of this offbeat area through their work. But let me tell you it does not end there! If you happen upon them in their gallery or even at a local market, there is one thing all Northern Tasmanians have in common and that is their love of story telling. So you better prepare yourself to learn everything you have ever wanted to know about Launceston and Northern Tasmania, our locals can’t wait to indulge you with their stories.

All of this and more is packaged up in historic reminders of Georgian, Victorian and Federation. Many have been preserved and can now be seen as tourist accommodation, restaurants and attractions. In Launceston and Northern Tasmania you do not look at our history from a far, you live and experience it firsthand.