Australian_Traveller-May.June.July_2019

LAUNCESTON

H I P

HOOD

NESTLEDATTHECONCLUDINGpoint

oftheTamarValleyestuaryanda2.5-hourdrive

northofHobart,Launcestonisfasterasingits

somewhatdead-endreputation,thanksinno

smallparttoahostoflocalswhoaregivingthe

working-classTasmaniancityanewleaseoflife.

Itsinner-cityarchitectureislargelycolonial

anddottedwithpetite,prunedgardensthat

contrastthewildbeautyofnearbyCataract

Gorge.Thewealthofincredible,locallygrown

producemakesforbuzzingfarmers’markets

thatarebrimmingwithsmallgoods,breads,

preserves,cheeseandmore,outshining–I’ll

wager–anythingyoucanfindonthemainland.

InJanuary,HobartartinstitutionMona

relocateditssummerfestivalMonaFomato

Launceston,andthedestinationhostsitsown

arts,musicandfoodfestivalsthroughoutthe

year;italsoholdsmonthlynightmarketsthat

celebratethetalentthatliesonitsdoorstep.

Whetheryou’reawinelover,anartloveror

simplykeentoswapyourusualsurroundsfor

somethingdifferent,you’llfindplentyofreasons

whyLaunnieistheperfectweekendgetaway.

Once dominated by chain storesandlack-

lustre pubs, LAUNCESTONCENTRAL

has UNDERGONE a transformationoflate,

as independent CULINARY HOTSPOTS

and boutiques filled with HAND-PICKED

curiosities spring up all over itsgrid,

discovers CLARE ACHESON.

CLOCKWISE

FROM TOPLEFT:

A colour pop atKosaten;

Must-visit restaurant

Stillwater is housedina

19 th-century flourmill;

Launceston’s streetscape

combines heritage

buildings and greenery. PHOTOGRAPHY:

RENEE

HODSKISS

(KOSATEN)

CENTRAL