2026 Western Junction Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Launceston is a place that can recharge your soul from a busy world. Launceston a quiet but beautiful city Tasmania Zoo just 30 mins away, most Australian animals available here! Except the koala! Cradle Mountain just less than 2 hours away, stunning beautiful place! Fresh air! Honeybank Forest Reserve, 30 mins away, a forest for your perfect picnic! Tamar island Wetland, a hidden gem inside Launceston! perfect place for your sunrise and sunset photos! · ots of good food inside food trail! highlighting Ashgrove cheese, Melita honey, Christmas Tree Hill Raspberry Farm, Van Siemens Land Creamery, Anvers Chocolate and 41degree salmon farm! · ast but not least, don't forget the LILLICO blue little penguin!! #travel #launceston Love Tasmania

1️⃣2️⃣Thursday, December 26th - Friday, December 27th At 5:40pm on December 26th, we departed from Narita Airport on flight JL773 for Melbourne. We arrived at 5:40am the next morning. After a short rest, we started sightseeing in the city. The first place we visited was Flinders Street Station. It is a symbolic station in Melbourne, and we were impressed by its exterior. After that, we enjoyed a cafe on DeGrave Street. Next, we visited St. Paul’s Cathedral and were overwhelmed by the Gothic architecture. In the afternoon, we visited Melbourne Town Hall, and then enjoyed street art at Hosier Lane. The free art was impressive. After that, we visited Parliament House and enjoyed the historical building. Finally, we visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral and felt its solemn atmosphere. 3️⃣Saturday, December 28th Sightseeing around Hobart We flew from Melbourne to Hobart by domestic flight, rented a car and started sightseeing. The first place we visited was Salamanca Market. We enjoyed the market with fresh local ingredients and art. After that, we drove to Mount Wellington and got a panoramic view of Hobart city from the top. In the afternoon, we visited a small town called Richmond and saw historical buildings and bridges. We strolled through the quaint townscape and finally returned to Hobart city. 4️⃣Sunday, December 29th One-day tour of the Tasman Peninsula This day was a one-day tour around the Tasman Peninsula. The first place we visited was the Tessellated Pavement. After that, we visited Eaglehawk Neck and enjoyed the amazing ocean views. Next, we visited Tasman’s Arch and Devil’s Kitchen and were amazed by the natural wonders. In the afternoon, we interacted with Tasmanian animals at Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, then visited Port Arthur. We were impressed by the historic prison ruins. We stayed in Swansea for the night. 5️⃣Monday, December 30th Freycinet National Park On this day, we visited Freycinet National Park. First, we walked around Coles Bay, then hiked through the beautiful Wineglass Bay. We were amazed by the spectacular views of the ocean and white sand. If we had time, we also visited Honeymoon Bay and were surrounded by the beauty of nature. After that, we headed to Launceston and spent the night relaxing. 6️⃣Tuesday, December 31st Cradle Mountain One-Day Trip Today, we headed to Cradle Mountain. We hiked around the beautiful Dove Lake and enjoyed the magnificent nature. After that, we strolled through the mural town of Sheffield and enjoyed the cityscape full of art and history. 7️⃣Wednesday, January 1st Cataract Gorge and Bridestowe Lavender Estate On the first day of the new year, we visited Cataract Gorge and were overwhelmed by the magnificent scenery. After that, we visited Bridestowe Lavender Estate, a famous Tasmanian lavender estate, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery surrounded by vast lavender fields. After that, we spent some time relaxing in Launceston and prepared to return to Melbourne. 8️⃣January 2nd (Thursday) Melbourne City Sightseeing On the last day of the trip, we visited the State Library of Victoria. After being impressed by the beautiful decorations in the spacious library, we enjoyed Chinese food in Chinatown. In the afternoon, we headed to the airport and prepared to return home. It was a wonderful trip where we enjoyed the charm of Australia's nature and cities. 8️⃣9️⃣January 2nd (Thursday) - January 3rd (Friday) Return home (overnight on the plane) #Overseas travel record #0 yen trip January 2025 #Christmas #Winter trip #Melbourne #Melbourne trip #Tasmania #Tasmania trip #Australia #Australian trip #Australian tourism #New Year's holiday here #New Year's holiday trip #Hobart #Launceston

Launceston is the second-largest city in Tasmania, yet it boasts a more laid-back pace than Hobart. The city is intersected by the South Esk River, and its downtown area is filled with historic Victorian architecture. What's even more remarkable is that Cataract Gorge is well within walking distance—just a 15-minute stroll from the city center, and you'll find yourself entering a river valley framed by dramatic basalt cliffs. If you're looking to pack gorges, waterfalls, wildlife, and centuries of history into a single day, this itinerary is tailor-made for you. 🚗 Transportation: Driving or Walking Launceston's downtown is compact, and the main attractions are incredibly close to one another. · Walking (Highly Recommended): If you stay in the city center, most spots are easily walkable. It takes about 15 minutes to reach Cataract Gorge and just 10 to 15 minutes to get to Penny Royal Adventures, making it super convenient. · Driving: From the city center, it’s only a 5-minute drive to the various spots, with parking available near both the gorge and Penny Royal Adventures. · Recommended to stay downtown: This saves you the hassle of transportation, allowing you to walk to all the main sights. 🗺️ Recommended One-Day Tour Itinerary This route kicks off at a thrilling adventure park, leads you into Australia's most captivating urban nature reserve, and wraps up with a touch of history and art. The journey is mostly done on foot at a perfectly balanced pace. 🎢 Stop 1: Penny Royal Adventures (Approx. 1.5 to 2 hours) Your day trip begins at Penny Royal Adventures. This theme park, blending history with thrills, sits on the banks of the South Esk River and was once an early 19th-century mill. Entry to the park and taking photos are completely free; you only pay if you join activities like the cliff walk, ziplining, rock climbing, or gold panning. Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Free Photo Spots: Even if you skip the paid activities, there is a fantastic photo op in the park—the long cascading waterfall, which stands out as the park's most iconic free attraction. Plus, you can take your time strolling past 19th-century historic buildings and soaking in the riverside views. 🏞️ Stop 2: Cataract Gorge Reserve (Approx. 2 to 3 hours) A quick 10-minute walk from Penny Royal Adventures brings you to Launceston's "backyard"—Cataract Gorge Reserve. This 5-kilometer-long river valley reserve wraps around the South Esk River, featuring dramatic basalt cliffs and lush forests. The best part? Admission is completely free. Must-Experience: Gorge Scenic Chairlift This is the longest single-span chairlift in the world. Riding it offers effortless, sweeping views of the stunning gorge landscape. Many suggest taking the chairlift up and hiking the trail back down for the most relaxing experience. Must-Walk: Alexandra Suspension Bridge Built in 1904, this historic suspension bridge crosses the gorge. Standing on it, you can take in the breathtaking views of the gorge, the river, and the natural surroundings. Wild Wallabies: While exploring the gorge, keep an eye out for wild wallabies and other native critters 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 Hiking Trails: The gorge offers trails for all fitness levels. Starting from Kings Bridge, there are two main routes—the north bank is a mostly flat, paved pathway, perfect for a gentle stroll; the south bank is a slightly more rugged hiking trail that requires a bit of effort. Most people recommend setting aside half a day to take in the highlights. Other Facilities: The reserve is equipped with picnic areas, a restaurant, a cafe, a swimming pool, and Victorian gardens. The Gorge Restaurant is currently undergoing restoration and is slated to reopen later in 2026. 🍽️ Stop 3: Lunch—Dine Out or Supermarket DIY Heading back toward the city center from the gorge, you can grab lunch at these spots: · Stillwater: A renowned riverside restaurant featuring modern Australian cuisine in an elegant setting. · Around Brisbane Street: Plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. · Inside Cataract Gorge: If you prefer to stay in the gorge, the reserve also has a restaurant and a cafe. Money-Saving Tip: Dining out in Launceston isn't exactly cheap. To save a few bucks, you can pick up groceries at a supermarket (like Coles or Woolworths) and cook at your accommodation. 🏛️ Stop 4: Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) (Approx. 1 to 1.5 hours) After lunch, wander over to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. As the largest regional museum in Tasmania, it is split across two locations: · Royal Park: Located downtown, primarily showcasing fine arts. · Inveresk: Featuring natural sciences, transport and railway memorabilia, a blacksmith workshop, and the Launceston Planetarium. Inside, you'll find a wealth of exhibits, including dinosaur fossils, trains, and animal taxidermy (featuring the extinct Tasmanian tiger). Plan to spend about an hour exploring. 💡 Tips 1. Stay in the city center: It’s simply more convenient. Being able to walk everywhere cuts out transportation stress. 2. Dining can be pricey, so hit the supermarket if you're on a budget: Launceston has major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths where you can grab ingredients to cook. 3. Cataract Gorge is free to enter, but riding the chairlift requires a ticket. 4. Check the Penny Royal Adventures website before you go: Operating hours can vary depending on the season or weather. 5. Wear comfortable walking shoes: This itinerary is heavily foot-based. Walking from downtown to the gorge and then to Penny Royal Adventures means you'll be logging plenty of steps. 6. Set aside a full day: Starting in the morning and taking your time at each spot will take roughly 6 to 8 hours. 7. If you have extra time: Consider squeezing in the Swiss-style village of Grindelwald, just a 15-minute drive from the city center. 📌 Summary A day trip in Launceston is like a shifting rhythm from the urban streets to the rugged gorge, moving from excitement to pure serenity. Start your morning snapping shots by the waterfalls at Penny Royal Adventures, then step into Cataract Gorge—ride the world's longest single-span chairlift to view the valley from above, watch the South Esk River flow beneath your feet from a century-old suspension bridge, and if luck is on your side, spot wild wallabies hopping alongside the trail. Come afternoon, head back downtown to leaf through the pages of Tasmania's natural and cultural history at the Queen Victoria Museum. The city may be small, but a single day is the perfect amount of time to slowly take it all in. "Launceston One-Day Tour: From the Gorge Chairlift to the Century-Old Waterfall, Spend a Day Exploring Tasmania's Backyard." 🩵🏞️🎢

📅 Itinerary Day1:stroll in Hobart Queen Elizabeth Pier, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Mures Upper Decker / Mures Lower Deck, visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Day2: hike at Mt Wellington and see the falls Day3: take a ferry to MONA and visit MONA and visit Richmond 🏨 Accommodation Double Tree 🍴 Food Recommendations Mures at Upper Decker 📌 Tips book the ferry and Admission ticket online in advance

📍 The Hordern Pavilion Excellent experience in Sydney 😍 I love this venue and have attended several concerts here 🎵🎸🎹 I was lucky enough to get tickets for Day 6's concert 🎟️. It was very close to the stage, and I could see the artists clearly. #day6 #sydney #concert 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Hopefully I can snag cheap tickets through this platform again next time ✈️. Please offer more promotional prices 🙌🏻 I really like this venue and have attended several concerts here 🎵🎸🎹. I’m so lucky to have gotten a ticket for Day 6's concert 🎟️. The seats were very close to the stage, and I could see the artists clearly. #day6 #sydney #concert 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I hope I can get cheap flight tickets through this platform again next time ✈️. Please keep offering more promo fares 🙌🏻.

A fantastic trip booked with Trip.com 🥂🥂🥂 From the crisp Tasmanian morning air of Launceston to the tropical warmth of Sri Lanka, this journey felt like crossing worlds in a single day. Booking through Trip.com made the entire process effortless, from choosing the perfect flight connection via Melbourne to keeping all details neatly in one place. The day began with a smooth check-in at Launceston Airport, coffee in hand, as the rising sun painted the runway in soft gold. A short, comfortable flight brought me to Melbourne, where I had time to enjoy the lively bustle of the terminal before boarding my long-haul flight. Watching the city lights of Melbourne fade beneath the clouds, I felt the excitement building. Hours later, as the plane descended into Colombo, the sight of palm-lined coasts and the glimmering Indian Ocean filled the windows. The warm Sri Lankan air rushed in the moment I stepped out, a welcome contrast to Tasmania’s cool breeze. From start to finish, Trip.com turned a multi-stop journey into a seamless travel experience, letting me focus on the thrill of the adventure rather than the stress of logistics.

🛏️Hotel introduction: Barclay Hotel is conveniently located in Devonport, offering a friendly environment for self-driving travelers. The spacious parking lot in front of the hotel eliminates parking worries. The hotel rooms are simple and practical, with a warm decor and complete facilities, including comfortable beds, clean bathrooms, TV, and free Wi-Fi, meeting your basic needs during your trip. The hotel staff are friendly and attentive, providing you with a home-away-from-home experience. 🚗Transportation: The hotel is about 100 km from Launceston Airport. You can choose to rent a car and drive along the A7 highway, which takes about 1.5 hours. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can enjoy the rural scenery of Tasmania. You can also take a long-distance bus, which takes about 2 hours and costs about 30-40 AUD. In Devonport, bus routes cover the main areas, making travel convenient. The ticket price is 2-5 AUD depending on the itinerary. Of course, renting a bicycle is also a good choice, allowing you to explore the city freely. The rental fee is about 20 AUD per day. 🏕️Nearby attractions: · Tasmanian Maritime Museum: This museum showcases the rich maritime history of Tasmania, with exhibits of old ship models, nautical instruments, etc., allowing you to delve into the past of this region. · Devonport Beach: The long sandy beach and clear water are perfect for enjoying the sunshine and strolling along the beach. You can also see the beautiful sunset over the sea. 💰Per capita consumption: The hotel room price is about 100-150 AUD per night. For dining, the average cost per meal at restaurants near the hotel is 20-40 AUD. The entrance fee to the Tasmanian Maritime Museum is about 10 AUD per person, and Devonport Beach is free. In total, the average cost of staying at the hotel for one night and visiting the main attractions nearby is about 250-350 AUD per person. 💗Other tips: · The seasons in Australia are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Please prepare appropriate clothing according to the local season before your trip. · When dining at restaurants, tipping is generally not mandatory. If you are particularly satisfied with the service, you can tip 5%-10% to express your gratitude. · When driving, please note that Australia drives on the left. Please comply with local traffic rules and pay attention to speed limit signs.

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Near Launceston airport

It is a real delight to see aurora with your naked eyes.