Tasmania - Australia 2004 - page 626

has a TV and free tea, coffee, sherry, and cakes. The bakery on the premises is
an excellent place for lunch, serving things like filled baked potatoes and some
of the best pies in Australia, baked in a wood-fired oven dating from 1860.
15 Church St., Ross, Tasmania 7209. & 03/6381 5246. Fax [phone] units. www.rossbakery.com.au.
A$110 (US$72) all rooms. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Bakery; TV lounge. In room:Hair dryer.
5 Launceston ¡
198km (123 miles) N of Hobart
Tasmania's second largest city is Australia's third oldest after Sydney and Hobart.
Situated at the head of the Tamar River, 50km (31 miles) inland from the state's
north coast, and surrounded by delightful undulating farmland, Launceston is
a pleasant city crammed with elegant Victorian and Georgian architecture and
plenty of remnants from convict days. Unfortunately, shortsighted local and
state governments are gradually overseeing the chipping away of its great archi-
tectural heritage in favor of the usual parking garages and ugly concrete mono-
liths. However, Launceston (pop. 104,000) is still one of Australia's most
beautiful cities and has plenty of delightful parks and churches. It's also well
placed as the gateway to the wineries of the Tamar Valley, the highlands and
alpine lakes of the north, and the stunning beaches to the east.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Qantas ( & 13 13 13 in Australia; www.qantas.com) flies
to Launceston from Melbourne and Sydney. The Airport Shuttle ( & 0500/512
009 in Australia) provides transportation between city hotels and the airport
from 8.45am to 5pm daily at a cost of A$10 (US$6.50) each way.
Tasmanian Redline Coaches depart Hobart for Launceston several times daily
(trip time: around 2 hr., 40 min.). The one-way fare is A$25 (US$16). Launces-
ton is 1 1 ⁄ 2 hours from Devonport if you plan to take a ferry from Melbourne across
Bass Strait to Devonport. The bus ride from Devonport to Launceston costs
around A$17 (US$11).
The drive from Hobart to Launceston takes just over 2 hours on Highway 1.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Gateway Tasmania Travel Centre on the
corner of St. John and Paterson streets ( & 03/6336 3133; fax [phone];
[e-mail]) is open Monday through Friday from 9am to
5pm, Saturday from 9am to 3pm, and Sunday and holidays from 9am to noon.
CITY LAYOUT The main pedestrian shopping mall, Brisbane Street, along
with St. John and Charles streets on either side, forms the heart of the central
area. The Victorian-Italianate Town Hall is 2 blocks north on Civic Square, and
opposite the red brick Post Office building dating from 1889. The Tamar River
slips quietly past the city's northern edge and is crossed at two points by Charles
Bridge and Tamar Street. City Park, to the northeast of the central business dis-
trict, is a nice place for a stroll.
EXPLORING THE CITY & ENVIRONS
Launceston is easily explored by foot. A must for any visitor is a stroll with
Launceston Historic Walks ( & 03/6331 3679; [e-mail]),
which leave from the Gateway Tasmania Travel Centre Monday through Friday
at 9:45am. (Weekend walks can also be arranged.) The 1-hour walk gives a fasci-
nating insight into Launceston's history and costs A$10 (US$6.50). City Sights