Home » Launceston – where the living is easy

Launceston – where the living is easy

Situated at the head of the beautiful Tamar Valley wine growing region, few places in the world can match Launceston’s natural and historic charm.

Residents enjoy an enviable way of life that is at once relaxing and invigorating – a lifestyle that is centred around the great outdoors and a climate similar to the south of France; a vibrant events calendar and arts scene; locally-owned boutique shops, and award-winning local dining experiences utilising fresh local produce.

Launceston is also a university city and home to Boag’s Beer, AFL at Aurora Stadium, the Australian Maritime College, some of Australia’s best preserved streetscapes and the spectacular Cataract Gorge.

With all Launceston has to offer, Launceston City Council has been working proactively with neighbouring councils and the tourism industry to raise the profile of Launceston Tamar Valley and has been successful in increasing the number of visitors as well as their length of stay.

The Tasmanian Visitor Survey results for the 2008 calendar year show the number of nights that visitors spent in Launceston increased dramatically from 2007, with a rise of 21.9 percent from 723,300 to 881,800. The total visitor numbers to Launceston rose by 8.4 percent, from 401,300 to 435,000 and this figure corresponds with an increase in people visiting Launceston City Council’s Travel and Information Centre.

The impact of tourism to Launceston Tamar Valley is now estimated to be around $214 million per year.

Snapshot of Launceston City Council

  • First proclaimed a municipality in 1852
  • By the time it was proclaimed a city in 1888 it had 125 streets, 3,500 buildings and had one of the earliest underground sewerage systems in the world
  • First city in Australia to be lit by hydro electricity
  • Tasmania’s largest Council in terms of population (64,931)
  • Municipality currently covers an area of 1,405 square kilometres with 720 kilometres of roads, 92 bridges, and 251 parks and reserves.
  • Served by the Mayor, 11 Aldermen and 520 employees

 

Digital Editions


  • Farmers urged to register for rural aid

    Farmers urged to register for rural aid

    Farmers across Australia – particularly those in disaster-impacted regions – have been strongly encouraged to register with Rural Aid now, as ongoing natural disasters and…

More News

  • Redlands Koala population stable

    Redlands Koala population stable

    Redland City Council has become the first local government in south-east Queensland – and within the koala’s federally-listed northern endangered range – to report stabilisation of its city-wide koala population.…

  • Looking for “Red Fleet” Solutions

    Looking for “Red Fleet” Solutions

    The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has met with NSW Emergency Services Minister the Hon Jihad Dib MP about the Red Fleet issue, which refers to local Councils currently…

  • Three small changes making big differences in grand programs

    Three small changes making big differences in grand programs

    Local government grant programs are designed to create community impact. Yet for many councils, the effectiveness of those programs is shaped less by intent and more by the processes that…

  • Alice skating program a success

    Alice skating program a success

    Free ice skating, packed programs and smiling faces have marked the end of a hugely successful school holiday program delivered through a partnership between Alice Springs Town Council, the Northern…

  • Supporting Waverley

    Supporting Waverley

    Councils across NSW are being encouraged to continue to provide direct support for the Waverley community in the wake of December’s devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. In the aftermath of…

  • New deputy for Liverpool

    New deputy for Liverpool

    Councillor Peter Harle has been elected Deputy Mayor of Liverpool City Council following the resignation of Cllr Dr Betty Green. Councillor Harle, who has served the office in the past,…

  • Erosion reef wins awards

    Erosion reef wins awards

    A West Australian-first coastal erosion research reef installed off C.Y. O’Connor Beach in 2022, reducing wave height and energy and blossoming into a thriving habitat, took out the 2025 WA…

  • More rehabilitation works for Coffs

    More rehabilitation works for Coffs

    Scores of local flood-damaged roads will be improved after the City of Coffs Harbour determined to expand rehabilitation works. An initial program of stabilisation works had already been approved for…

  • First-class Pump Track opens in Ballina

    First-class Pump Track opens in Ballina

    Ballina Shire Council is thrilled to announce the completion of the new Ballina Pump Track at Kingsford Smith Reserve in the heart of Ballina. Designed to national competition standards, the…

  • Fraser Coast support announced

    Fraser Coast support announced

    Fraser Coast Regional Council has renewed and expanded its support for three key emergency services – the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), LifeFlight, and local Rural Fire Brigades. At their…