Launceston is a city of 90,953 people in the urban area, sitting where the North Esk and South Esk rivers become the Tamar (kanamaluka). It is quiet for its size, and that suits a slower, more indulgent holiday. Planning Launceston luxury accommodation is as much about the setting as the room.
We cover the kinds of stays the region offers, the premium tours and private charters that add to them, the drive times to the big-name landscapes, and the months when the weather helps most. For more on the city's top-end stays, start with our Launceston luxury accommodation page.
Settings for an indulgent stay
Launceston is a heritage city. It was settled by Europeans in March 1806, which makes it one of Australia's oldest cities, and it still has many historic buildings. It was also the first Australian city lit by hydroelectricity and the first with underground sewers. A stately, old-world feel is part of the appeal.
Around the city, the choices stretch in several directions. Luxury stays here come in a range of styles:
- holiday homes and boutique hotels
- golf resorts and spa retreats
- bed and breakfasts and stylish inner-city apartments
- vineyard hideaways and guest houses
- stately manors
- cottages with mountain views
- winter cabins with log fires
Inclusions at the top end can include underfloor heating, bath robes, a sunken spa bath and a gourmet breakfast hamper each morning. Some properties add a day spa, cocktail bar, fine dining restaurant or room service. Inclusions differ from one property to the next, so check before you book.
If you would rather stay in the city itself, our Launceston apartments page covers the inner-city option. The wider Launceston accommodation guide runs from budget to luxury, so you can spend as much or as little as you like.
Why Launceston suits a slow, indulgent trip
Launceston was named Australian Town of the Year in 2022 and is regarded as the most livable regional city. It is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, a designation made in 2021. For a stay built around food and wine, that matters more than any lobby chandelier, and we would argue it is the best reason to spend a few extra nights here.
The city sits in the Tamar Valley, about 45 kilometres south of Bass Strait. Cataract Gorge is in town, Tamar Valley wine is close, and the city makes a fine heritage base for the north. From a luxury stay you can wander the streets, visit the markets, cruise the Tamar or picnic in the botanical gardens. Our Launceston attractions page has more on what is close by.
Premium tours and private days out
For a more indulgent trip, the tours on this site range from private charters to guided multi-day walks with comfortable overnight stays. Prices are starting prices, so check current prices and times with the operator.
| Tour | Length | From |
|---|---|---|
| Takayna / Tarkine Wilderness Highlights Hiking Tour | 5 days | AUD 3275 |
| Highlights of Tasmania Group Touring Package | 7 days | AUD 3199 |
| Cradle Mountain Hiking Tour | 4 days | AUD 2650 |
| Larapuna / Bay of Fires Hiking Tour | 4 days | AUD 2595 |
| Cradle Mountain Day Tour Charter Service | 9 hours | AUD 1500 |
| Private Day Trip to Bay of Fire | 9 hours | AUD 700 |
| Bridestowe Lavender Farm Tour including Lunch | 5 hours | AUD 165 |
| Launceston Hollybank Tree Ropes Experience | 2 h 30 m | AUD 69 |
Private and charter days
The private Bay of Fire day trip from Launceston runs nine hours in your own air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide, from AUD 700. You set the pace across coastal scenery, granite boulders and secluded beaches. It needs three days' notice.
The Cradle Mountain day tour charter is also nine hours and also needs three days' notice, from AUD 1500. It passes through Sheffield's mural-lined streets and climbs into Cradle Mountain National Park, part of the World Heritage Wilderness Area. The drive takes roughly two and a half hours to Dove Lake, where you choose your own walking route.
Multi-day journeys
The four-day Cradle Mountain hiking tour is based from Launceston, from AUD 2650. Two experienced guides lead you across alpine moorland and buttongrass plains, with comfortable lodges and good meals between walking days. It is serious walking, not a gentle stroll.
The Bay of Fires hiking tour (from AUD 2595) stays in farm accommodation, with substantial meals cooked at a working farm. Meals, park fees and return transfers are included. The five-day Tarkine wilderness hiking tour is the rougher option, with basic bush camps, so it suits those who want wilderness rather than comfort at night.
The seven-day Highlights of Tasmania package departs Hobart and finishes in Launceston, from AUD 3199. It takes in Port Arthur, Wineglass Bay, Freycinet and Mt Field, with a lunch cruise to Peppermint Bay.
Gentler days from the city
The Bridestowe Lavender Farm tour with lunch is five hours by air-conditioned coach from Launceston, from AUD 165, with lavender cookery and a wellness workshop. The Hollybank Tree Ropes Experience, from AUD 69, is 20 minutes from the city and suits ages eight and up.
Drive times from Launceston
A luxury base works best when the big landscapes are an easy drive away. These are the road distances from the Launceston area.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Cradle Mountain | 149 km | about 125 minutes |
| East Coast Tasmania | 163 km | about 131 minutes |
| Bay of Fires | 166 km | about 162 minutes |
| Freycinet Peninsula | 180 km | about 145 minutes |
| Hobart | 201 km | about 151 minutes |
| Huon Valley | 247 km | about 193 minutes |
| Tasman Peninsula | 249 km | about 194 minutes |
| Port Arthur | 254 km | about 198 minutes |
Cradle Mountain is the closest, which is why a charter or guided walk from the city works well as a single outing.
Best months for a luxury stay in Launceston
Launceston has a maritime climate with four distinct seasons, and it is appreciably warmer than the south of the island in summer. January and February are the warmest, with daily highs near 24 degrees and lows around 10 to 11 degrees. December and March are also pleasant for outdoor days.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.8 | 10.4 | 59.9 | 7.3 |
| February | 23.6 | 10.6 | 44.8 | 7.3 |
| March | 21.4 | 9.2 | 56.6 | 7.8 |
| April | 17.2 | 6.8 | 65.0 | 9.7 |
| May | 13.8 | 4.9 | 77.7 | 11.5 |
| June | 11.2 | 3.4 | 90.5 | 12.8 |
| July | 10.5 | 2.8 | 99.5 | 15.0 |
| August | 11.2 | 2.9 | 109.6 | 16.4 |
| September | 13.0 | 3.6 | 91.3 | 13.9 |
| October | 15.5 | 4.9 | 69.0 | 11.5 |
| November | 18.1 | 6.8 | 68.7 | 11.1 |
| December | 20.8 | 8.5 | 61.7 | 9.1 |
February is the driest month at 44.8 mm, which suits the hiking tours and private coastal days. August is the wettest, with 109.6 mm over about 16 days. Winter has its own appeal for a cosy stay, since winter cabins with log fires are part of the luxury mix, but expect highs near 10 or 11 degrees in June to August.
Other ways to stay
Not every trip needs a suite. Four holiday parks are on this site, each with powered sites and cabins: BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park, Discovery Parks at Hadspen, Launceston Holiday Park at Legana and Beauty Point Tourist Park. Contact the park for current rates and availability. For general planning, see the Discover Tasmania state tourism site, and read more about the city on Launceston, Tasmania. Our Launceston destination guide pulls it all together.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of luxury stays are there around Launceston?
Styles include boutique hotels, golf resorts, spa retreats, bed and breakfasts, inner-city apartments, vineyard stays, guest houses, stately manors and cottages with mountain views.
What is the best month for a luxury stay in Launceston?
February is the driest month and, with January, the warmest, with highs near 24 degrees. Summer is the easiest time for tours and outdoor days.
How far is Cradle Mountain from Launceston?
It is 149 km by road, about 125 minutes. A private nine-hour charter is available from AUD 1500.
