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