Launceston, Tasmania

Launceston Tasmania
Panorama General Post Office Launceston Town Hall Albert Hall Prince's Square King's Bridge
Flag
Launceston
Coordinates	41°26′31″S147°8′42″E / 41.44194°S 147.14500°E /-41.44194; 147.14500
Population	90,953 (2021) (21st)
• Density	208.895/km2(541.04/sq mi)
Established	1806
Postcode(s)	7250
Elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Area	435.4 km2(168.1 sq mi)[1](2011 urban)
Time zone	AEST(UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT(UTC+11)
Location	67 km (42 mi) SW ofScottsdale 101 km (63 mi) SE ofDevonport 145 km (90 mi) SE ofBurnie 201 km (125 mi) N ofHobart
LGA(s)	City of Launceston
Region	North-east
County	Cornwall
State electorate(s)	Bass Lyons
Federal division(s)	Bass Lyons
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 18.6 °C 65 °F 7.4 °C 45 °F 687.0 mm 27 in
Localities around Launceston: Exeter Weymouth Lilydale Deloraine Launceston Mount Barrow Great Lake Perth Campbell Town

Launceston(/ˈlɒnsɛstən/^ⓘ[2][3][4]) is a city in the north ofTasmania,Australia, at the confluence of theNorth EskandSouth Eskrivers where they become theTamar River(kanamaluka). As of 2021, the Launceston urban area has a population of 90,953.^[5]Launceston is the second most populous city in Tasmania after the state capital,Hobart.^[6]Launceston is the fifth-largest inland city and the ninth-largest non-capital city in Australia. Launceston is regarded as the most livable regional city,^[7]and was one of the most popular regional cities to move to in Australia from 2020 to 2021.^[8]Launceston was named Australian Town of the Year in 2022.^[9]

Settled by Europeans in March 1806, Launceston is one of Australia's oldest cities and it has many historic buildings.^[10]Like many places in Australia, it was named after a town in the United Kingdom – in this case,Launceston, Cornwall. Launceston also had the first use ofanaestheticin theSouthern Hemisphere, it was the first Australian city to have undergroundsewers, and it was the first Australian city to be lit byhydroelectricity.^[11]The city has amaritimeclimatewith four distinct seasons and is appreciably warmer than the south of the island during summer. Local government is split between theCity of Launceston,Meander ValleyandWest Tamar Councils.

The first inhabitants of the area of Launceston were largely nomadicAboriginal Tasmaniansbelieved to have been part of the Northern Midlands Nations. Three Nations made up the area around so called Launceston, the Stoney Creek Nation, Tyerenotepanner; Panninher and Lettermairrener.^{[citation needed]}

The firstwhite explorersdid not arrive until 1798, whenGeorge BassandMatthew Flinderswere sent to explore the possibility that there was a strait between Australia andVan Diemen's Land(now Tasmania). They originally landed in Port Dalrymple (the mouth of the Tamar River), 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the north-west of Launceston.^[13]

The first significant colonial settlement in the region dates from 1804, when the commandant of thecolonial garrison.Lt. Col.William Paterson, and his men set up a camp on the current site ofGeorge Town. A few weeks later, the settlement was moved across the river toYork Town, and a year later was moved to its definitive position where Launceston stands.^[14]

Initially, the settlement was called Patersonia; however, Paterson later changed the name to Launceston in honour of theNew South Wales GovernorCaptainPhilip Gidley King, who was born inLaunceston, Cornwall.^[15]The name still survives in the tiny hamlet of Patersonia 18 kilometres (11 mi) north-east of Launceston. Paterson himself also served asLieutenant-Governor of northern Van Diemen's Landfrom 1804 to 1808.^[13]

The geographical area in which Launceston is now located was previously occupied by theAboriginal TasmanianLetteremairrenerpeople. TheLetteremairrenercountry encompasses most of the Tamar Valley region. In 1804, reports from early European voyagers describe a number ofLetteremairrenercamps, consisting of up to ten bark huts located on either side of the Tamar River.^[16]Extensive archeological evidence suggests that occupation and usage of the Tamar basin can be dated from at least 7,000 years ago, although it was likely used as long as 35,000 years ago.^[17]TheLetteremairrener, as seasonal hunter-gatherers, spent the winter months near George Town and the summer months residing on Ben Lomond, before returning to the banks of the Tamar River for the mutton-bird season.^[18]Campbell Macknight characterizes early colonial contact with theLetteremairrenerpeople as a mixture of fear, curiosity and aggression.^[19]After several aggressive encounters prompted by bands ofLetteremairrenerin 1806,most likely as revenge for the colonists trespassing and hunting on their land without permission, Colonel William Patterson, in charge of the new settlement in Launceston, led a series of putative skirmishes that were ostensibly continued by colonists until 1831.^[20]These conflicts intensified from 1827 until 1831 during the period of theBlack War, with genocidal expeditions occurring within theLetteremairrenercountry and neighbouring areas.^[21]

By 1827, Launceston's population had climbed to 2,000 and the town had become an export centre, mainly for the colony's northern pastoral industry.^[13]Small hotels and breweries began to emerge in the 1820s before larger, more "substantial" hotels were built in the 1830s. Sporting groups, political groups, churches and schools were often established in these hotels; however, they also hosted plays, musical soirees and readings, until theatres were built.^{[citation needed]}

Ships from Launceston carried parties of sealers to the islands ofBass Straitearly in the 19th century. They also took whalers to the coast of Victoria in the 1820s and 1830s where they established temporary bay whaling stations.^[22]Some of these temporary communities, such as the ones atPortland BayandPort Fairy, were the forerunner of permanent settlement of those places. Expeditions from Launceston were involved in theFoundation of Melbourne.

Walter George Arthur, who petitionedQueen Victoriain 1847 while interned with other Aboriginal Tasmanians onFlinders Island,^[23]lived for several years in Launceston as one of numerous homeless children, before being taken into custody byGeorge Augustus Robinsonwho sent him to the Boys' Orphan School inHobartin 1832.^[24]

Newer popular team sports such ascricketandfootballfailed to be sustained in Launceston before the population grew substantially. The sports were initially middle class recreations, as the working class found it difficult to participate after a six-day working week. Nevertheless, a "demand for facilities" led to the upgrade of theNorthern Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground(NTCA Ground) among other sporting facilities in the 1860s. Not long beforehand, Tasmania playedVictoriain Australia's firstfirst-class cricketmatch at the NTCA Ground in 1851.^[25]

Tinwas discovered atMount Bischoffin 1871 in north-western Tasmania, starting a minerals boom. Gold mining commenced about 50 kilometres (31 mi) away inBeaconsfieldin 1877.^[13]During the following two decades Launceston grew from a small town into an urban centre. In 1889, Launceston was the second town in Tasmania to be declared a city, after state capitalHobart.^[15]During the late 1880s a small periodical calledLaunceston Literarycontained stories as well as memoirs of the pioneering days of the region. The publication was distributed from a store in the northern end of the town, and while largely forgotten today, was at the time considered relatively popular, if at times controversial.

According to the2021 censusthe population of Launceston is 76,849. Launceston is the 21st most populous city in Australia.^[26]

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.5% of the population.
• 79.2% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 2.9%, Nepal 1.6%, India 1.5%, China 0.9% and New Zealand 0.8%.
• 85.1% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Nepali 2.3%, Mandarin 1.2%, Punjabi 0.5%, Urdu 0.4% and Vietnamese 0.3%.
• The most common responses for religion were No Religion 47.9%,Anglican13.8% andCatholic12.1%.^[5]

Launceston's designation as aUNESCO City of Gastronomyin 2021 signifies global acknowledgment of this gastronomic paradise. While this recognition affirms Tasmania's stature on the world stage, it also underscores the regional zeal for gastronomy. Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of producers and entrepreneurs delving into the world of gastronomy, ranging from gin, whisky, truffles, and wasabi, to hemp, snap frozen fruit, and wagyu beef.^{[citation needed]}

Launceston is at41°26′31″S147°8′42″E / 41.44194°S 147.14500°E /-41.44194; 147.14500in the Tamar Valley, Northern Tasmania. The valley was formed by volcanic and glacial forces over 10 million years ago.^[27][28]The city is about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of theBass Strait, with its closest neighbour-city beingDevonport, about 99 kilometres (62 mi) to the north west.^[29]Launceston combines steep (originally heavily wooded) ridges and low-lying areas (originally wetlands – with parts of the suburbs ofInvereskandInvermaybelow high-tide level).^[30]As a result, areas of Launceston are subject tolandslipproblems, while others are liable to poor drainage and periodic flooding. The topography of the area is not conducive to easy dispersion of airborne pollution, due to the phenomenon ofthermal inversion.^[31]

During recent years the city's air quality has improved. Studies indicate that 73% percent of air pollution in Launceston and surrounding areas during the winter period is caused by wood smoke, while about 8% is from motor vehicle pollution. During the early 1990s about 60% of households used wood heaters, but since the mid-2000s only 25–30% of households use wood heating.^[32][33]According to the 2011 Tasmanian Air Monitoring report, particulate matter met the Air NEPM goals starting in 2006, and did not exceed thePM10standard in the years 2009–2011.^[34]

Launceston is situated at theconfluenceof theSouth Esk Riverand theNorth Esk River, forming the Tamar Riverestuary. It is used for commercial and recreational shipping and boating. In earlier years, oceangoing shipping used the river to obtain access to the Port of Launceston wharves located in the city centre and Invermay. The Port for Launceston is now located at the George Town suburb ofBell Bay, some 40 kilometres (25 mi) downstream on the east bank of the Tamar estuary, close to the river mouth. The South Esk River is the longest river in Tasmania. It starts in the North East Mountains near Roses Tier and flows through the Fingal Valley where it passes through the towns ofFingalandAvocabefore flowing into theNorthern Midlandswhere it flows through the towns ofEvandale,Perth,LongfordandHadspenbefore finally reaching Launceston via theCataract Gorge. The river is dammed atLake Trevallynon the upper reaches of the Cataract Gorge, with water being diverted into theTrevallyn Power Stationwith runoff flowing into the remainder of theCataract Gorgeand eventually merging with the Tamar River. The North Esk River starts in the Northallerton Valley in Tasmania's north-east mountains and winds its way to Launceston via the Corra Linn Gorge atWhite Hills. The St Patrick's River, the largest tributary of the North Esk, is dammed atNunamarato provide the majority of Launceston's town water since the mid-1800s.

Since the 1960s, parts of Launceston have been protected by a series of floodleveesthat reach up to 4 metres (13 ft) in height as large portions of the suburbs Invermay and Newstead sit within aflood plain. The last major flood occurred in1929when Invermay was completely devastated. More than 4,000 people were left homeless after just one night of flooding. Since then, there have only been minor floods.^[6][35]Work was under way in 2011 on a $59 million flood levee upgrade that should protect the city from 1-in-200-year events, that was then expected to take five to six years to construct.^{[36][needs update]}The council had acquired land used by eighteen businesses on the south side of Lindsay Street in Invermay, with businesses having until July 2009 to leave.^[37][38]In 2016 the Tamar River flooded resulting in the widespread flooding of low lying suburbs. The St Leonards and West Tamar Highways were temporarily closed as water levels rose, causing significant disruption to the city and loss of livestock.^{[citation needed]}

Launceston has anoceanic climate(Köppen:Cfb), bordering on a warm-summerMediterranean climate(Köppen:Csb), with mild to warm, somewhat dry summers and cool damp winters with chilly nights. The city is located in theTamar Valleyand is surrounded by many large hills and mountains. With this type of topography, Launceston's weather patterns can change considerably in a short period. The warmest months are in January and February with an average air temperature range of 12.2 to 24.4 °C (54 to 76 °F). Throughout the year there is an average of 4.3 days a year over 30 °C (86 °F). The maximum recorded temperature was 39 °C (102 °F) on 30 January 2009, with Launceston Airport reaching 40.4 °C (105 °F) on that same day, during the2009 Southeastern Australia heat wave. The city averages 67.3 clear days and 148.8 cloudy days per annum.

Winters are cool with minimum temperatures dropping below 2 °C (36 °F) an average of 61 days a year. The coldest month is July, with an average temperature range of 2.2 to 12.5 °C (36 to 55 °F). The lowest recorded minimum at Launceston's current weather station, Ti Tree Bend was −5.2 °C (22.6 °F) on 21 July 1991. Launceston very rarely receivessnowfall, with snow falling in 1951 and 1986, and again on 3 August 2015, when most of the state received snowfall due to a cold front moving up fromAntarctica.^[39]On the night of 4 August 2020, Launceston received an inch of snow on the ground, with varying levels around the state.^[40]

Winter, for Launceston, is also the season with the least amount of wind. Because of this and the topographical effect of the Tamar Valley, Launceston winters are renowned for foggy mornings, with Launceston Airport the most fog-bound commercial airport in Australia. The average annual rainfall, with moderate to low variability, is 665 mm (26 in), falling on an average of 88.4 days a year. The most rain Ti Tree Bend has received in a year was 829.6 millimetres (32.66 in) in 1992, though Launceston Airport received 953.1 millimetres (37.52 in) in 1956. As in most of Tasmania 2006 was the driest year when just 394.8 millimetres (15.54 in) fell.^[41][42][43]

The Bureau of Meteorology reported that 2007 was the warmest year ever recorded in Launceston since temperatures were first recorded in 1884. Temperatures ranged from a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) to a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F). During 2006 and 2007, Launceston had the hottest maxima throughout the state. In 2008, Launceston had the highest average maximum temperature out of all Tasmanian cities with 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).^{[41][44][45][46]}

Many of the buildings in the city's central business district (CBD) were constructed in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and Launceston is a major location ofFederation stylehousing.^[50][51]Launceston's many well preservedVictorianandGeorgianbuildings (including theLaunceston synagogue, a rare example of architecture inEgyptian Revivalstyle) together with its diverse collection ofart-decoarchitecture (such asHolyman Houseand Lucks Corner in the CBD, the formerStar Theatrein Invermay and the former Launceston General Hospital)^[52]give the city an unusual period ambience. 20th century examples of architecture that are part of the city include the Government offices of Henty House in Charles Street, the Police Station Building and the ANZ Building on the corner of Brisbane & George Street.^[53]

This is at least in part a matter of deliberate policy – concerns that high rise development might compromise the character of the city centre have led to strictly enforced building regulations that restrict the height of new structures in the city, so that most buildings in the CBD have fewer than five storeys.^[54]

Much of Launceston is contained within theCity of Launcestonlocal government area, although some outer suburbs are part of adjacent council districts: for instanceRiverside,Leganaand parts ofTrevallynare part of theWest Tamar Council;Prospect ValeandBlackstone Heightsare included in theMeander Valley Council.

Launceston City Council meetings are held in the Launceston Town Hall. The Mayor of the City of Launceston uses the honorificthe Right Worshipful. In 2002,Janie Dickensonbecame the youngest female elected mayor in Australia.^[55]The current mayor is Matthew Garwood, elected in 2023. The first previous mayor,Albert Van Zetten, was initially elected in 2007, before being re-elected in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2018.^[56]StateUpper Houseseats that incorporate parts of Launceston are the Electoral Divisions ofPaterson,WindermereandRosevears. For federal elections, Launceston falls within theDivision of Bass, with the sitting member being Bridget Archer for theLiberal Party of Australia, who won the seat in the 2019 election. The state Lower House seat is also called theDivision of Bass, and is one of the five electorates in theTasmanian House of Assembly. Both federal and state seats share common boundaries.

The Launceston flag design is based on the city's Coat of Arms granted by theCollege of Arms, Seoul on 11 June 1957.^[57]The Brisbane Street Mall, the War memorial at Royal Park, atop the Council Chambers and on top of the Albert Hall are places in the city where the flag is regularly flown. Flying the flag is restricted to Council Property. The three intersecting lines in the flag represent the city's three rivers (North Esk, South Esk and Tamar) and the two rectangles in the lines representtiningots. The strip across the top with the jagged edge is green to represent the city's parks, gardens and surrounding countryside.Waratahflowers at the top symbolise all flowers and similar beauties of nature. The ingots are included because Launceston used to be a large tin-smelting centre. The little circle at the river junction is Launceston.

Along with being a major retail centre with an average of 75% of market share in surrounding local councils, Launceston is a major service centre for the north of Tasmania.^[58]The city is home to a campus of theUniversity of Tasmaniaincluding theAustralian Maritime Collegeand also has a minor minerals and manufacturing base.

Launceston is a major hub for the regional agricultural and pastoral activities. Historically, this has been connected with the growing of apples – in recent years the stress has moved toviticulture. Superfinewoolremains an important part of the rural economy of north-east Tasmania and wool sales in Launceston attract many international buyers.^[59]The various agricultural industries in the district are supported by theTasmanian Institute of Agricultural Researchwhich operates the Mount Pleasant Research Laboratories in the Launceston suburb of Prospect.

Launceston serves as the commercial hub for the north of Tasmania, and like many parts of the state, is becoming a major tourist centre. Visitors to the city have grown over the past few years: during 2004 Launceston attracted 412,800 visitors, up 51% from 2001. The United Kingdom is the origin of 25% of all international visitors to the city and 17% originate from the United States.^[60]TheCataract Gorgeis Launceston's largest tourist attraction and is in close proximity to the city centre. It is home to the longest single span chairlift in the world, stretching 308 metres (1,010 ft) across the gorge.^[61][62]Launceston has many parks throughout the city includingCity Park, located next to the city centre. City Park is home to Albert Hall. The park also has a large enclosure forJapanese macaquemonkeys, a gift from sister cityIkeda, Japan.^[63]TheLaunceston General Post Officeis a heritage-listed building that dates back to the 1880s, with a clock tower added in the early twentieth century. The GPO clock chime chimes every quarter-hour, twenty-four hours a day.^[64]Tasmania Zoo, which is known for its wildlife conservation work, including a breeding program forTasmanian devils, is located near the city.^[65]

Launceston'sQueen Victoria Museum and Art Gallerywas established in 1891.^[66][67]Now the largest museum located outside a capital city in Australia, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is located at two sites across the city: the original purpose-built building at Royal Park and another at theInveresk Cultural Precinct, on the grounds of the former railway station and rail yards in buildings largely converted from the former Railway Workshops.^[68]The precinct also includes the Launceston Tramway Museum, which houses the No. 29 tram, the 'Mary St' shelter shed and a host of other memorabilia.^[69]The state's largest preservation railway, theDon River Railway, also has a carriage rebuilding workshop on the site. Australia's oldest bookshop, A.W. Birchall & Sons (Birchalls) dating from November 1844, was closed in 2017^[70]

Located in the Southern Launceston suburb ofProspect, the Country Club Casino is a hotel, casino and golf course complex. It was the second casino to be built in Tasmania and one of the first in Australia.Launceston Aquatic, a $26.3 million regional aquatic centre was completed in July 2009. The site, just outside the central business district spans about 6,450 square metres (69,400 sq ft).^[71][72][73]

From 1999 to 2003, Launceston was the site of three of the fourGone Southmusic festivals. From 2006 to 2011, it hosted theMS Fest, a music festival held at the Inveresk Show grounds each summer to raise funds formultiple sclerosisresearch.^[74]This has since been replaced with the Breath of Life Festival from 2012 to 2014, a similar event held at the Inveresk show grounds to raise funds forlung cancerresearch.^[75]

Launceston is also the host of the Junction Arts Festival. The Junction Arts Festival was first held in 2010, and spans five days in the Launceston CBD each year.^[76]The Festival program changes each year, and includes various art forms, including music, dance, visual and interactive art, short films and live performances, from local, national and international artists.^[77]

Sport is a popular recreational and spectator activity in Launceston and like most of the state,cricketandAustralian rules footballare popular sports. The city has been the birthplace of two prominent Australian cricketers; the former Australian cricket captainRicky Pontingand the retired cricketer and Australian selectorDavid Boon. The firstfirst-class cricketmatch played in Australia was at theNorthern Tasmania Cricket Association Groundbetween theMelbourne Cricket Cluband theLaunceston Cricket Clubin 1851.^[78]

Australian rules footballis very popular in Launceston, and is often played atYork Park(University of Tasmania Stadium). Holding 20,000 people—more than any other stadium in Tasmania—York Park was swampland before becoming Launceston's showgrounds in 1873. Hawthorn has played between two and five AFL matches each season since 2001, and theSt Kilda Football Clubplayed two games a year between 2003 and 2006. In 2007, theTasmanian Governmentsigned a A$16.4 million, five-year sponsorship deal with theHawthorn Football Club, under which the club will play four regular season games and oneNational Australia Bank Cuppre-season match at the venue each year. Throughout its history, York Park has hosted major pop concerts and other entertainments. Since 2001 it has been a venue for international sports events, and in 2005 was redeveloped at a cost of $23.6 million. Association football (commonly known in Launceston as "soccer") is also played and watched in Launceston [York Park]—the only place in Tasmania to have hosted national league soccer matches. ANational Soccer Leaguegame was held at Aurora Stadium in 2002 betweenPerth GloryandMelbourne Knights.^[79]A-League'sMelbourne Victoryhave held a pre-season cup game at the venue each year since 2006. The record crowd is 8,061.^[80]

Launceston is not represented by anNRLFootball Club or anAFLFootball Club, though both sports have clubs playing at a local level.

Rugby leaguefootball is played in the region at junior level and senior level, the Launceston Warriors play in theTasmanian Rugby Leagueand were minor premiers in the 2012–2013 season.

Since 2004, theV8 Supercars(Tasmanian Challenge) has been annually held at the recently re-developedSymmons Plains Raceway, which is around 30 km south of Launceston.^[81]Marcos Ambrose, driver of the number 9 Richard Petty Motorsports car is most likely America's most notable Launceston native. A number of other sports have notable presence in Launceston, including basketball (men's, women's and indoor) andhockey. In 2009 Launceston redeveloped the city's swimming facilities which now include a modern indoor multimillion-dollar swimming centre at windmill hill, now namedLaunceston Aquatic.

The city co-hosted the basketballFIBA Oceania Championship 1975, where theAustralian national basketball teamwon the gold medal.

Launceston's local newspaperThe Examinerwas founded by James Aikenhead in 1842, and has been continually published ever since.^[82]The newspaper is currently owned byNine Entertainment Co(Nine having merged withFairfax Mediain 2018). Another local media site isThe Tasmanian Times.

Along with the rest of the state, the city has four free-to-air television stations, including two government funded channels from theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC), theSpecial Broadcasting Service(SBS) and two commercial stations; (Southern Cross Seven(7HD) &WIN(9HD) These services are available in digital format as well as eleven digital-only stations, one carrying Network 10 programming (Tasmanian Digital Television(10 HD), and nationwide digital-only stationsABC TV Plus/ABC Kids,ABC MEandABC News(on ABC),SBS Viceland,SBS Foodand NITV (on SBS),7twoand7mate(on SC Seven),9Gem,9Go!and9Life(on WIN), and10 Bold,10 Peachand10 Shake(on TDT).

Radio stations aired around Launceston are:LAFMandChilli FM– part of theGrant Broadcastersradio network,TOTE Sport Radio– Racing Radio,Triple J–ABC,ABC Northern Tasmania– (ABC),ABC NewsRadio– (ABC),ABC Classic FM– (ABC),Radio National– (ABC),City Park Radio–Community Radio,SBS Radio– (SBS), Way FM – Christian Radio - LCFM Launceston colleges radio station and7RPHwhich is a relay of 864 AM from Hobart.^[83][84]

Launceston General Hospitalis Launceston's 10-bed public hospital, located just south of the city centre. Every year, LGH treats over 24,000 inpatients and over 225,000 outpatients. St Lukes Private Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital are the major private facilities. Launceston was also the location of the first use of anaesthesia in the Southern Hemisphere.^[85]Launceston is also the hub for the state's medical retrieval service. TheRoyal Flying Doctor Servicesupplies an aircraft and pilots under contract to the state's ambulance service and the aircraft (aBeechcraft Super King Air) is staffed by Ambulance Tasmania's Intensive Care Paramedics and doctors from the Launceston General Hospital.^[86]

• University of Tasmaniahas its second largest campus in Launceston, based in Newnham. It is currently relocating a significant portion of its campus to Inveresk.
• TasTAFEhas two major operations in Launceston based at Alanvale and the Central Business District.

The car is by far the most dominant form of transport in Launceston, with the city having 721 km of urban and rural roads, even though much of the CBD has narrow one-way streets.^[87][88][89]Since February 1998, Launceston has been serviced by the Tasmanian government-owned and operated public bus serviceMetro Tasmania. In addition,Redline Coachesoffers school services and travels to many destinations across Tasmania.^[90][88]

Because of its central location, Launceston is the hub of five of the state's major highways. TheMidland Highwayis the primary route toHobart. TheBass Highwayis the primary route toDevonportandBurnie. TheTasman Highwayis an alternate scenic route to Hobart viaScottsdale, the East Coast, theWest Tamar HighwayandEast Tamar Highway.^[88]

Launceston operated a suburban tramway system between 1999 and 2012, which consisted of 29 trams. It was first conceived in 1909, after observations of efficiently working systems in Melbourne and Adelaide. A decade before the tram system was abandoned, Launceston had begun converting totrolleybuses, especially for the hilly routes. TheLaunceston trolleybus systemwas one of the most extensive of the various trolleybus systems in Australia. The tramway network was finally removed in 1952 to make way for cars and buses. A tramway museum in Inveresk is all that remains of Launceston's trams. Launceston's streets, most of which were planned in the early nineteenth century, were probably always too narrow for trams to be fully successful: in many cases little of the roadway remained for other forms of transport.^{[citation needed][91]}The track gauge was 1,067 millimetres (3 feet 6.0 inches).^[92]

A regional passenger rail system operated in Tasmania, of which Launceston was a major hub; however, after many years of gradual retrenchment it was closed in July 1978.^[93]

Former passenger railway lines servicing Launceston:

• Launceston and Western Railway(1871–1873)
• Launceston–Deloraine (1875–1978)
• Launceston–Hobart (via Evandale) (1876–1978)
• Launceston–Devonport (1885–1978)
• Launceston–Burnie (1901–1978)

The city is served by the small curfew-freeLaunceston Airport, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south-east of the city. The airport serves over one million passengers annually.Jetstar,QantasLink,Sharp AirlinesandVirgin Australiaoperate scheduled services at the airport. As at November 2020, there are direct flights to and fromMelbourne,SydneyandBrisbane.^[94]

There is a freight rail system in operation which links Launceston to Burnie, Hobart andBell Bay.^[95]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2022)

Launceston's port is located about 48 kilometers north on the Tamar River at Bell Bay.^[96][97]The Port of Bell Bay handles around 5,300,000 tons of domestic and international cargo each year, and has five piers for cruise and passenger ships.^[98]The port is adjacent to an industrial park that houses facilities for Temco, Sims Metal, BP Australia and Onesteel, among other companies.^[99]The Port of Bell Bay is part of a network of ports managed by the state-owned company TasPorts.

Launceston's electricity is primarily generated by renewablehydro electricpower plants including theTrevallyn Power Stationwhich is supplied with water fromTrevallyn Dam. The major retailer isAurora Energy.

Historically, Launceston was powered by gas from theLaunceston Gas Company, (later Gas Corporation of Tasmania). In 1988 it was sold toBoral.^[100]The first gas plant was built in 1860 as a horizontal retort Gas Works house made from brick and sandstone on the site's SW corner. This was followed by keepers cottages, labs, the Headquarters Building and the iconic 1930s vertical retort recognised by the wording "COOK WITH GAS" written in its brickwork.^[101]TheDuck Reach Power Stationreplaced gas for street lighting when it was completed in 1895 (the first municipally owned power station in the Southern Hemisphere). Until the 1950s when Trevallyn Power Station was built, Duck Reach supplied Launceston with most of its power needs – it is now an interpretive historic site. The former Gas Works currently houses the Launceston Hogsbreath Cafe.

Launceston's water comes from the Launceston Water Catchment. The majority is sourced from St Patricks River, a tributary of theNorth Esk Riverwhich flows through Launceston. The main retailer is Ben Lomond Water. The first reticulated water supply constructed in 1857 still serves the CBD.^[102]There were fears that theTamar Valley Pulp Millmight adversely affect Launceston's water supply.^[103]

Like many Australian cities, several major companies provide mobile telecommunications services and wireless internet services to Launceston. Launceston's communication infrastructure was upgraded in 1997 through the federal "Networking the Nation" program. Beginning in 2010, theNational Broadband Networkbegan installation of fire optic cables in Launceston.^[104]In 2016, Launceston became the first city in Tasmania to be fully connected to the NBN.^[105]

Launceston has three sister cities.^[106]

City	State	Country	Year
Ikeda	Osaka	Japan	1 November 1965
Napa	California	United States	6 June 1988
Taiyuan	Shanxi	China	28 November 1995

Notable people from or who have lived in Launceston include:

• Nathaniel Atkinson, footballer forHeart of Midlothian F.C.
• Marcos Ambrose, NASCAR driver
• Harold Napier Baker, Rural Dean of St John's Church
• Simon Baker, actor
• George Bailey, cricketer and Australian cricket selector
• Lance Barnard, (1919–1997) former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia underGough Whitlam
• David Boon, cricketer
• Harry Cooper, TV veterinarian
• James Faulkner, cricketer
• Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh, Qantas founder
• Daniel Ganderton, jockey
• Daniel Geale, boxer
• Belle Gibson, scam artist
• Simon Hussey, songwriter and record producer
• Tasman Jones, swimmer and diver
• David Lambourne, judge
• Alexander Tasman Marshall, Tasmanian MHA
• Ray Martin, journalist
• Cleo Massey, actress
• Stewart McSweyn, distance runner
• Ricky Ponting, cricketer
• Richie Porte, professional cyclist
• Bec Rawlings, boxer
• Peter Sculthorpe, composer
• Hattie Shepparde(1846 – 1874), actress and opera singer
• Rachael Taylor, actress
• Ariarne Titmus, Olympic champion swimmer
• Frank Lee Woodward(1871–1952), Pali scholar, author and theosophist
• John Youl, an early clergyman, St John's Church of England
• Shane Yost, Championship Vert Skater

References usingThe Examinermay require registration for access.

• Launceston City Council
• Original video of the Cataract Gorge in flood, August 2009
• Watch historical footage of Launceston, Burnie, Hobart and the rest of Tasmaniafrom theNational Film and Sound Archiveof Australia's collection.