I arrived early in Launceston, Tasmania – greeted at the airport by my guide Di, a passionate, funny and intelligent local who was happy to introduce me to her state.
My first stop was the Cataract Gorge, a lovely place for a stroll, just on the edge of the downtown. Much more than a regular park, the Gorge is also an area that can be enjoyed by anyone, either for a wander along the pathway or for a spot to picnic.
Next we wandered around the downtown – and for a small place, it had many distractions. First, I will admit to my absolute jealousy for the discovery of Target – the US retail chain has not yet set up shop in Canada. Like many Canadians I know, we’ve become obsessed with it.
On closer inspection, Launceston has many other charms, including charming shops offering local fashion designers, jewellery, sportswear, home decor and accessories, housed in buildings that are Federation architecture from the beginning of the 20th century. I was lucky enough to wander into many amazing boutiques including Homebody, Red Herring, Inspire, Justin Paul, Le Cigale, Cocoon, and Content.
Below is a slideshow of downtown Launceston and several of the places that were a worthy place to spend some time (and make a purchase!):
