Launceston tours range from a 2.5 hour ropes park from AUD 69 to a five-day wilderness trek from AUD 3275. Eight are listed on this site, and this page sets out what each one covers, how long it runs and the price it starts from.
Launceston sits where the North Esk and South Esk rivers become the River Tamar (kanamaluka), in the north of Tasmania. It makes a sensible base for Cradle Mountain, the Bay of Fires and the Tarkine. For the wider picture, see our Launceston destination guide.
Launceston tours at a glance
All prices are from figures, so check the tour page for the current rate before you plan around it.
| Tour | Length | From |
|---|---|---|
| Hollybank Tree Ropes Experience | 2h 30m | AUD 69 |
| Bridestowe Lavender Farm Tour including Lunch | 5 hours | AUD 165 |
| Private Day Trips Bay of Fire | 9 hours | AUD 700 |
| Cradle Mountain Day Tour Charter | 9 hours | AUD 1500 |
| larapuna / Bay of Fires Hiking Tour | 4 days | AUD 2595 |
| wulinantikala / Cradle Mountain Hiking Tour | 4 days | AUD 2650 |
| Highlights of Tasmania Group | 7 days | AUD 3199 |
| takayna / Tarkine Wilderness Highlights Hiking Tour | 5 days | AUD 3275 |
The full range is also gathered on our Launceston tours page.
Short outings close to town
Hollybank Tree Ropes Experience
This ropes park is 20 minutes from Launceston and takes 2.5 hours, from AUD 69. There are five self-guided courses through native forest, running from a gentle two-metre start to a 25-metre circuit. Expect wobbling bridges, tightrope sections and cargo nets, all at your own pace. It is designed for ages eight and up. Details are on the Hollybank Tree Ropes Experience page.
Bridestowe Lavender Farm
This five-hour tour leaves Launceston by air-conditioned coach, from AUD 165, and includes lunch. At the farm you learn its heritage, try lavender-infused cookery and join a wellness workshop on the plant's practical uses. See the Bridestowe Lavender Farm Tour listing.
Private day trips by road
Two nine-hour options suit travellers who want their own schedule. Both need booking three days in advance.
The private Bay of Fire day trip is from AUD 700. You travel in your own air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide and set the pace across coastal scenery, granite boulders and secluded beaches. The Bay of Fires is 166 km from Launceston by road, about 162 minutes.
The Cradle Mountain day charter is 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 pick your own walking route, from a short stroll to something longer. By road the distance is 149 km, about 125 minutes.
The charter price is steep, so we reckon it makes most sense for a group sharing the cost.
Multi-day hiking tours
Three guided hikes run over four or five days. All are serious walking, not gentle strolls.
- Bay of Fires, 4 days, from AUD 2595. Wilderness-trained locals guide you past red granite cliffs, white sand beaches and coastal heathland. You stay in farm accommodation and meals are cooked at a working farm. Meals, park fees and return transfers are included. See the Bay of Fires hiking tour.
- Cradle Mountain, 4 days, from AUD 2650. Two experienced guides lead you across alpine moorland and buttongrass plains in the World Heritage wilderness, with nights in comfortable lodges. See the Cradle Mountain hiking tour.
- Tarkine, 5 days, from AUD 3275. Small groups with accredited local guides, trained in wilderness first aid, trek through forests, alpine plateaus and coastal landscapes, staying in basic bush camps. The operator holds eco-tourism certification and handles transport, meals and park fees. See the takayna / Tarkine hiking tour.
A week across Tasmania
The Highlights of Tasmania Group package runs seven days from AUD 3199. It departs Hobart and finishes in Launceston. Four nights explore the southeast by small-group coach, taking in Port Arthur's convict history, Wineglass Bay, Freycinet's granite peaks and Mt Field's alpine forest. A lunch cruise to Peppermint Bay and wildlife encounters are also part of it. Find it under Highlights of Tasmania Group 7 Days.
Drive distances, weather and where to stay
If you are comparing day trips with longer tours, these road distances from the Launceston area help.
| Destination | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cradle Mountain | 149 km | about 125 min |
| East Coast Tasmania | 163 km | about 131 min |
| Bay of Fires | 166 km | about 162 min |
| Freycinet Peninsula | 180 km | about 145 min |
| Hobart | 201 km | about 151 min |
| Port Arthur | 254 km | about 198 min |
Launceston has a maritime climate with four distinct seasons. January and February are warmest, with average maximums near 24 degrees. July is coolest, with a maximum of 10.5 and a minimum of 2.8 degrees, and August is the wettest month at about 110 mm over 16 rain days. Summer suits the hiking tours best on temperature alone.
Our Launceston accommodation page covers hotels and apartments. For caravans, the parks include BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park, plus parks at Hadspen, Legana and Beauty Point. Contact the park for current rates before booking. For wider trip planning, see Discover Tasmania, and for background on the city, Wikipedia: Launceston, Tasmania.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest tour from Launceston?
The Hollybank Tree Ropes Experience, from AUD 69 for 2.5 hours.
Which tours suit a single day?
The lavender farm tour takes five hours. The private Bay of Fire trip and the Cradle Mountain charter each take nine hours.
Do the private day trips need advance booking?
Yes, both need booking three days in advance.
