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| Launceston and the North Cost of Tasmania |
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| Scroll down for details of Launceston, Deloraine/Mole Creek, the Coast West of Launceston, North East Tasmania |
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 On the north coast area of
Tasmania, relaxed Launceston is 60 km inland at the confluence of the
North and South Esk Rivers and the Tamar River, set in rich agricultural
country. Launceston is connected to Hobart in the south of Tasmania by
the Midland Highway.Although it was settled in 1804, most of Launceston's buildings are Victorian. Within walking distance of the city centre is the spectacular Cataract Gorge www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au/ (pictured above) and the many yachts on the river between Launceston and the sea give the city a relaxed holiday feel. Launceston is connected with Hobart in the south by the Midland Highway, running through pleasant farming country. The city has a wide range of accommodation, including self catering, and the domestic airport is 20 km south of the city near Evandale. A National Trust classified 1830s town, Evandale is worth a visit and in late-February holds the quirky three day National Penny Farthing Championship. |
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 DELORAINEWest of Launceston inland is Deloraine which has a lovely setting (pictured) and is a centre for exploring the Great Western Tiers and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. MOLE CREEK Mole Creek, about 25 km from Deloraine, is known for its limestone caves and the Mole Creek Karst National Park www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/molecreek |
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| To the west of Launceston,
the Bass Highway follows the coast with a string of small towns
including Devonport, Ulverstone, Burnie, Wynyard, Stanley and Marrawah. DEVONPORT The ferry terminal for the Spirit of Tasmania from Melbourne and is a busy industrial centre. BURNIE Has a deepwater port and is an industrial centre, including a large paper mill. WYNYARD A pleasant coastal town on the Inglis River.  STANLEY Attractive pioneering fishing village with a choice of
accommodation. Nearby is the intriguing stump of an old volcano called
'The Nut' (pictured).MARRAWAH This tiny village at the end of the Bass Highway is a lovely spot on the wild Southern Ocean popular with serious surfers and with camping opportunities. A few kilometres south of Marrawah is Arthur River, a fishing spot with a number of holiday homes. There are cruises on the Arthur River and you can also hire canoes. From here it is possible to drive south (4WD) on a rough, unmade road through the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area www.parks.tas.gov.au/reserves/arthpiem all the way to Corinna. CORRINNA Quiet and unspoiled and also has cruises on the Pieman River plus a vehicle ferry across the river. |
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| MOUNT WILLIAM NATIONAL
PARK www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/mtwilliam
is a remote and beautiful national park about 140 km north east of
Launceston. It has some wonderful beaches, including the Bay of Fires in
the extreme south of the park. Camping, swimming, surfing, fishing and
wildlife are the main attractions. There are a number of bush camping
sites scattered around the park, mainly in the dunes. Some of the sites
have bore water but in the main you have to arrive self sufficient.
Vehicle access is limited and is only at the northern and southern ends
of the park. GLADSTONE is 139 km north east of Launceston and grew up as a tin mining town. Industrial archaeology enthusiasts will find old tin mines and this tiny town is at the turn off for access to the northern section of the Mount William National Park.  BAY OF FIRES www.parks.tas.gov.au/reserves/bayoffires
in north east Tasmania is famous for its gorgeous, unspoiled beaches and
extends from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north.
The northern part of the Bay of Fires falls within the Mount William
National Park. The southern part of the bay is accessed from St Helens,
from where you can drive to The Gardens. The northern and middle
sections are best accessed from Gladstone.Camping, swimming, surfing, boating, bird watching and walking are all attractions in the Bay of Fires and local operators offer guided walks over several days including the excellent East Coast Wilderness Walk. There are a number of bush camps but you must be self sufficient with all your own supplies and water. There are Aboriginal middens in the sand dunes which are protected and which must not be disturbed. |
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| Truly Australia have attempted to give an honest and objective description of the topics covered on this page and have deliberately avoided regurgitating tourist office media releases. The information shown has been compiled from a variety of reputable sources and our own experiences. We check and review this information from time to time, but we assume no responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the details given. |
