Food
Launceston is on the traditional lands of the Palawa people. Locals all spell the town’s abbreviated name “Launnie”. You get to know everyone really quickly here; it’s such a great size. So many people I meet didn’t grow up here, so there’s a sense they chose it. They’re committed.
It’s very fertile farmland in Tasmania’s north. Meat, vegetables, seafood – it’s all local and the best restaurants make unfussy but classy food.
It’s deeply in the culture here to have your own garden. No one lives in apartments and pretty much any place you’ll buy or rent has a stone fruit tree, an apple tree or some sort of veggie garden. There are lots of community gardens too.
Timbre Kitchen is at the top of my list. It’s in a vineyard setting at Velo Wines, a short drive north of town. The food is mostly all wood-fired; the chef Matt Adams and the team love talking about where it all comes from.
Launnie is very multicultural and has a big Nepali community. My family’s absolute favourite Nepali restaurant is Curry House Mowbray. It’s embarrassing how often we get takeaway there! We like to order momos (Nepali dumplings) and paneer makhani, plus a spicy beef or goat vindaloo.
Havilah Wine is a hip little bar run by local winemaker Ricky Evans. He pours his own beautiful wines from Two Tonne Tasmania – lots of pinot noirs and skin contact stuff – along with European drops. The small plates of oysters and charcuterie make a great casual meal, and there’s great lighting and cool music.
The coffee scene has come a long way. I love Prince’s Square Bar; the two nicest guys own it, Damo and Elliot. Tinka on St John Street has a great brunch. Most places have street seating in Launnie. In the summer, that is. It’s freezing here in the winter!
Green spaces
I grew up swimming at Cataract Gorge, a huge freshwater basin a short walk from town. It’s fun to take international friends because heaps of possums and wallabies come out in the late afternoon. A great alternate route there is the Zig Zag track; it’s steep but very bushy and…
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