There is something truly special about returning to a city you’ve visited before. On your first trip, you race to cross off the iconic sights and hidden gems. But when you return, you get to slow down, breathe, and let the town reveal its quieter, more enchanting rhythm. After spending two lovely days in Devonport, we reached the last leg of our epic 11 Day Tasmania Road Trip.
Read about our complete road trip here – 11-Day Epic Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
Devonport to Launceston – 103 km ( 1 hr 10 minutes)
2-Day Launceston Itinerary
On my previous visit to Launceston, we spent our days exploring the famous Bridestowe Lavender Estate, where we walked through endless rows of purple blooms overlooking the gorgeous mountain range. We also tasted the iconic, subtle lavender-flavored ice cream.
From here, we drove to the Little Blue Lake, an off-the-beaten-path, secluded, vivid aqua-blue body of water nestled in the countryside. Later in our trip, we found ourselves in a pocket of the Swiss Alps – a charming Grindelwald Swiss Village.
This time, our itinerary was far more relaxed. We spent peaceful hours resting and enjoying the last two days of our trip. I took my son for a stroll in Princes Square, which was established in 1858. We also admired the architecture of two 19th-century buildings nearby – The Church and Milton Hall and Chalmers church.
What surprises me about Launceston (and many other Australian cities) is how seamlessly nature integrates with city life. On our final day in the city, we found ourselves admiring a river gorge flowing down between dramatic green hills and lovely bushwalking tracks. All within the city limits. You don’t have to drive hours to find a green haven.
A Half-Day Adventure at Cataract Gorge
The highlight of our trip this time was spending a half-day at the famous Cataract Gorge.
We started by taking the scenic cable car across the gorge, gliding gently above the water and surrounding greenery. As we touched down near the gardens on the other side, we were immediately greeted by an ostentation of peacocks.
Fun fact: The Gorge Scenic Chairlift boasts the longest single span of any chairlift in the world, stretching 308m between its two supporting pylons without any central supports. The total distance from station to station is 457m. The pace of the chairlift is slow enough for you to enjoy the 360-degree views of the gorge basin and South Esk River.
The birds were absolutely majestic, strutting through the grounds in small groups of peacocks and peahens. The resident peacocks and peahens that roam the Cliff Grounds were first introduced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
From the gardens, we set off on an easy, well-maintained 1-kilometer walking trail alongside the edge of the gorge. The calm waters and towering cliff faces made for an easy, picturesque stroll that led us all the way to the historic Kings Bridge.
At King’s Bridge we had the option to either return back or follow another, albeit more challenging bushwalking track to the car park. Well, we chose later, although I don’t think my 7-year-old sounded very enthusiastic about it. Zig Zag Trail – a Grade 3 hike that heads up the rocky cliffs, a continuous 20-minute uphill unstable track.
My legs were aching, and we stopped multiple times for water breaks. But the hard work was worth it – the final 20 minutes were entirely downhill, bringing a sweet sense of relief to my legs and joy to my son.
We finished our hike at a cozy café perched above the basin. We all needed a well-deserved sweet treat.
Sitting back with a warm drink, looking out over the massive, bright swimming pool and the stunning rock formations surrounding Cataract Gorge, we couldn’t help but smile. This was a road trip we would remember and cherish for a long time. Tasmania had given us the best of both worlds – cozy city vibes, adventure hikes, dramatic landscapes, and numerous cute wildlife encounters.
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