A taste of Tassie: Launceston accommodation for easy weekend getaways

It’s easy to while away a weekend close to some of Tasmania’s best wineries at Rosevears Apartment. With sweeping views over the lush Tamar Valley, this casual spot makes an excellent base for exploring Launceston’s verdant outer areas. It’s also ideally placed for accessing the region’s colourful produce from local shops—think juicy blackberries, fragrant lavender, golden honey, olive oil, and even truffles!

When you splash out on a Premium Room with Outdoor Spa, you can greet the day with a soak in your outdoor hot tub. Fill up on lemon butter French toast in the hotel’s dining room, then drop by the reception to join a tour sampling cool climate wines at nearby cellar doors. On returning to the hotel, pair one more cheeky glass of Merlot with a board of local cheeses, fruit preserves and crackers. You’ll end the day with an evening of quiet reflection on your pleasingly private balcony.

If you’re looking for a stay in the city’s heart, The Sebel Launceston gets you next to all the hot spots. Fully-equipped kitchenettes let you take meals on your own time—we recommend dining alfresco on your own balcony. If you’re a go-getter, rise early to hit the fitness centre and get your heart rate up before breakfast. Don’t worry about your sweaty gear as there are laundry facilities on-site, so you can be fresh again before you’ve finished your second cup of coffee.

It’s just a three-minute walk to the James Boag Brewery, where you can combine a tour of the historic site with cold, hoppy bevvies. After sampling the award-winning beers, take a detour back along the river for a soothing and sobering stretch of the legs. You can settle in to the Bluestone Bar & Kitchen on your return to the hotel for an evening feast of Malaysian chicken curry flavoured with chilli, ginger and coconut.

Re-imagined from an old commercial grain silo property, the quirky Peppers Silo is uniquely Launceston in its laidback luxury and effortless style. The super sleek Tamar River Room is something out of a futuristic film, though plush bedding and soft lights will pull you into dreamy sleeps just the same.

Begin each morning with a brain-jolting brew on your riverside balcony before seeking out a slice of the wild at Cataract Gorge. You’ll take in the view over the tumbling river from the chairlift, the scenery crowned by jewel-coloured peacocks and soul-stirring gardens.

For a chilled-out afternoon, there’s the hotel’s calming Silo Day Spa. The Ultimate Serenity Signature Treatment will work to alleviate any lingering stresses, while locally-made essential oils will elevate the whole experience from sumptuous to sensational. Continue the indulgence at Grain of the Silo’s Restaurant, where crispy skinned ocean trout and citrus steamed greens go down beautifully with a bottle of Xanadu Reserve Chardonnay.

You’ll want to set aside a little time to unwind in the heritage surrounds of Launceston’s Kilmarnock House. Rekindle the passion in a Romantic Honeymoon Suite, where a deep spa bath and decadent Kudos Spa toiletries invite long, lazy days luxuriating in the company of your loved one. If you’re keen to explore the local area, set out on foot for an easy meander along the North Esk River. You can call in at charming Sweetbrew for scrambled eggs on pesto-brushed brioche, or take away a slice of upside-down blueberry cake for later.

Just north of the river, you can gain insight into the skies above the city at the Queen Victoria Museum and Planetarium. When the real stars come out, take to your suite and slip into complimentary bathrobes for a cosy night in. You can prepare an intimate supper in your private kitchenette, or walk 12 minutes to Smokey Joe’s Creole Cafe (change out of those robes!) for a Muddy Crème Brûlée topped with rich dark chocolate.

Spacious, self-contained living awaits amid gardens at Topiary Haven. On waking in your light-filled space, fix a satiating breakfast in your fully-equipped European kitchen to enjoy on the peaceful patio. You can keep soaking in the Tasmanian sunshine at the Gorge Scenic Chairlift, just 12 minutes away, where you’ll marvel at the photo-worthy landscape from your suspended seat over the First Basin.

Continue the afternoon in the natural surrounds with a gut-busting lunch at Basin Cafe—think juicy beef burgers served on sourdough with Swiss cheese and tomato chutney. Walk off the food coma among the trees and streams of nearby Zig Zag Reserve, or simply return to the hotel to relax in the topiary with a captivating novel from the sweet lending library. As day blends into evening, reserve some moments to freshen up in your luxury bathroom before firing up the on-site barbecue. A feast of Atlantic salmon (purchased earlier from local favourite Kyeema Seafoods) pairs excellently with the setting sun and an icy tipple.

If you head northwest of Launceston, you’ll find the invitingly affordable motel Riverside. Here you’ll enjoy a bit of time out close to the River Tamar, with rejuvenating nights spent swathed in sumptuous linens while the sound of the water lulls you to sleep.

Mornings are made for exploring here, so head to nearby Tamar Island for a nature-filled hour spotting swamp hens, copperhead snakes and pelicans. To learn more about this wildlife-rich region, you can stop off at the Wetlands Centre and catch a talk by one of the knowledgeable volunteers.

Refuel with a light lunch on your return to the hotel at the laidback on-site eatery. Dig into a classic Caesar salad with a craft lager from the area, then catch a quiet half hour on your private balcony with your feet up. You’ll want to return to the bistro for happy hour, where you can get to know like-minded guests and toast the end of a relaxing day with amber-tinged schooners.

For four-star luxury and Art Deco touches, consider a stay at the Mantra Charles Hotel. Life shifts easily down a gear in an autumn-toned One Bedroom Spa Apartment—you’ll want to run a hot bath in your in-room spa from the second you drop your bags. Come morning, let The Charles Restaurant lure you out of bed with a fortifying breakfast of bacon-laden banana pancakes, then consult the hotel’s tour desk to book a relaxing cruise along the Tamar River.

If heart-pumping action is more your style, ask about joining a Cradle Mountain Canyons Tour designed to show you what ‘wild Tasmania’ is all about. You’ll leap, swim and abseil through quartzite canyons on a journey that blends awe-inspiring scenery with a serious adrenaline rush.

If you’re too tired to face dinner in the restaurant on your return, slip into something comfy and put in a call to room service. Aromatic grilled lamb rump and a tipple of choice from the minibar will soon sort you out.

A stay at the Mercure Launceston means days of calming, minimalist décor in the heart of the CBD. Think black-and-white interiors and elegant photo mural headboards. After a solid sleep beneath smooth linens in your ultra-comfy Posturepedic bed, you’ll be raring to check out the city’s main attractions—all within easy walking distance.

Ease into the day with vanilla bean hotcakes at nearby Tower Cafe, then take an easy meander north of the river to Launceston Tramway Museum. After an educational hour learning about the city’s transport heritage, get a breath of fresh air with a riverside stroll to Royal Park.

Leave enough time in the afternoon to freshen up in your room with a lengthy rainfall shower experience, then slip on your best threads for a meal at on-site Titanium Bar & Bistro. Follow Tasmanian salmon with caramel crème brûlée before retreating to your room to watch the moon rise over the city from a sleek leather recliner by the window.

Housed in the intricate architecture of a Launceston heritage building is the elegant Turret House. Guests of the Trevallyn Suite (formerly a dining room) can pluck an engaging title from built-in bookshelves for a sudsy read in their clawfoot bath.

Mornings begin with breakfast in bed thanks to a complimentary breakfast hamper of fruits, cereals, toast and spreads—all to the soundtrack of crackling flames in the working fireplace. You’ll be fully fuelled for a fun trip out to the Tasmania Zoo for a day with the island’s furrier residents.

For some light exercise, climb the hotel’s unique box staircase and take in unparalleled views over the city and winding rivers. The scene might just inspire you to head out for dinner—like at nearby Stillwater restaurant, where you can savour a memorable taste of blacklip abalone or market fish drizzled in brown butter hollandaise. On your final return to the hotel, visit the lounge to play a light number on the piano, then settle on the veranda for a warming nightcap.

South of the city is the nature-nestled hideaway of Country Club Tasmania. You’ll get around the hotel’s 300 acres with the help of a rented mountain bike, breezing past rolling paddocks and a glimmering lake. There’s even an on-site art exhibit should you be in the mood for indoor pursuits.

Dining is a seafood lover’s dream here, with the Watergarden plating up salt-and-pepper squid and crumbed scallops in addition to the grilled catch of the day. Every buttery bite washes down easily with locally-brewed James Boag’s XXX Ale. You can keep the aquatic theme going with some laps in one of two indoor pools, then sweat out any tensions in the steamy sauna.

Give in to a spot of pampering and prepare for the evening at Opulence Hair and Nails Salon. Looking your absolute finest, you’ll tuck into Tasmanian oysters and vintages at the hotel’s refined Terrace Restaurant. Top off the night with a soak in the Courtyard Suite’s granite spa bath before falling into a bed perfectly tailored to your needs thanks to the innovative pillow menu.