hotel grand chancellor launceston
Launceston and its river valley blend history, scenery, creativity, adventure, entertainment and the superb flavours of fine food and wine. Launceston is a city of elegant architecture and award-winning restaurants, while the lush Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s premier wine-growing region, and we recommend the Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston if you are looking for somewhere beautiful to stay.
The northern section of the Tasmanian Wine Route follows the banks of the Tamar River and heads into the nearby hills of the Pipers Brook area. The region’s superb sauvignon blancs and chardonnays can be sipped in stunning riverside locations, beautiful gardens or alongside award-winning architecture.
The Festival of the Senses, held in February and March each year, celebrates gourmet food and cool climate wine with events in Launceston and the Tamar Valley.
Launceston has long been the commercial hub of northern Tasmania and sits at the head of the Tamar Valley, surrounded by rich farming land and scenic forested mountains. Day trips from launceston can focus on the natural beauty of the region and its history as a prosperous farming region during Tasmania’s convict era.
Tamar Valley Wine Route
The Tamar Valley is also Tasmania’s major wine region and is famous for its cool climate wines. See the separate forum page on the Tamar Valley Wine Route here.
Historic Mansions of the 19th Century
Launceston was the centre of Tasmania’s agricultural region during the 19th century when Tasmania grew the grain that fed the Victorian and New South Wales gold rushes. The agricultural communities surrounding Launceston grew wealthy and built grand homes and towns – most still standing to this day.
Woolmers, near Perth 20 kilometres south of Launceston, was the home of the Archer family and is now managed as a homestead museum. Guided tours are conducted and the National Rose Garden is maintained in the former homestead garden.
Brickendon is a living farm with tours and accommodation, near Woolmers at Perth.
Clarendon, near Evandale south-east of Launceston, is owned by the Natuional Trust of Tasmania is possibly Australia’s grandest old mansion.
Entally, near Hadspen south-west of Launceston, was owned by the Reibey family, who also pioneered harbour ferry services in Sydney. It is now the headquarters of Tamar Ridge Wines and is open to the public.
Franklin House, on the southern edge of Launceston city is the headquarters of the National trust and is open daily for inspection.
Coaching Towns Along the Highways
Two 19th centruy highways ran from Launceston: one south to Hobart; the other west to Devonport and Burnie.
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
The coach-stop towns along the Midland Highway (colloquially called the Heritage Highway) to Hobart include Perth, Longford, Epping Forest, Cleveland, Campbelltown and Ross. In particular, Ross is a major tourist destination, famed for its convict-built bridge, Female Factory and Wool Centre.
The sleepy towns along the Bass Highway west start from Launceston Hotel Grand Chancellor which include Hadspen, Carrick, Hagley, Westbury and Deloraine. All these towns feature old inns and historic buildings and are a picturesque reminder of olden times.
Cradle Mountain and the Western Tiers
Cradle Mountain – 2.5 hours drive west of Launceston – is the picture-postcard symbol of Tasmania’s central wilderness and the northern extremity of the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. It is the start point for the 6-day overland track and the central point for a variety of hiking trails and day walks.
On the way to Cradle Mountain there are other “wilderness” experiences including Liffey and Meander Falls, the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and the Mole Creek Caves.
Ben Lomond and the North East Forests
Ben Lomond is Tasmania’s main ski field and is about 1 hour east of Launceston. The North East Forest reserves, centred on Scottsdale, provide a wealth of wilderness opportunities.
In particular, the Hollybank Treetops Adventure is one of Tasmania’s most exciting adventure tourism ventures. Set within the Hollybank Forest Reserve and above the Pipers River, the three-hour tour through the tree canopy provides visitors with an exhilarating bird’s-eye view of the surrounding forest.
Trail of the Tin Dragon
Derby – a little less than 2 hours north-east of Lasunceston – the home of the “Trail of the Tin Dragon” Tinmine Centre which celebrates Tasmania’s Chinese tin mining heritage.
