A fashion editor’s guide to a weekend in Launceston
Words by Giulia Brugliera
An ideal place to rest and recuperate.
When I landed in Launceston for the very first time, it was an attempt to recover from a particularly stressful period. I jumped into my Uber, tightly wound, and was so enveloped in my phone, I forgot to even look out the window.
When I finally did (shamefully, due more to motion sickness than any desire to view my surrounds), I was surprised, then surprised that I was surprised. Outside my window were rolling hills, sprawling greenery and open space. It was the first of many reminders to take a deep breath – I wasn’t in the big smoke anymore.
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Only a very short flight from Melbourne, the top end of Tasmania feels worlds away, making it an ideal spot for a weekend getaway (or if you’re anything like me, a mental break). It has luxury stays both in and out of town, breathtaking scenery a stone’s throw from the centre, an impressive gastronomic scene that will satiate most Melburnians, and a budding wellness offering for anyone who likes to squeeze the most recovery possible from their R&R.
Quaint boutiques are the cherry on top, as is the fact that Jetstar’s 7kg carry-on allowance is more than sufficient to cover a two-day stay. For anyone toying with the idea of booking flights, here’s how to spend 48 hours in the town.
Day one, morning
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The most highly strung among us will know it takes at least a few days to unwind and get into the rhythm of a holiday. Sadly, a weekend away just doesn’t allow for that much-needed ‘decompress’ time we’re often looking for from a break. With practice, I’ve learnt to kick-start short stays with a relaxation treatment, as a way to tell my brain to switch off. Even if it’s just a 15-minute neck and shoulder massage at the local strip of shops, it works.
This time, I managed to skip the shopping-centre rubdown and beelined straight to Dr Daniel Tan and Associates (DDTA), who were generously hosting me for the weekend. Originally a dental surgery (hence the name), the practice has since expanded to a holistic offering that honours the link between oral health and overall wellness.
Alongside its six dental consult rooms that specialise in biological dentistry (that is, focusing on non-toxic approaches and prevention), DDTA also offers intravenous vitamin therapies, an in-house Ayurvedic practitioner, oxygen therapy in its hyperbaric chamber, an infrared sauna, and a skin treatment menu that spans skin needling, PRP therapy and Rejuran. It’s also the only place in Tasmania that offers Rationale facials, which is precisely how I started my weekend jaunt.
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After a tour of the space, I had a consult with Dr Tan, who talked me through the mouth-body connection and how dental hygiene has a big impact on our gut health, which in turn links to our mental health and overall wellbeing. I was then led next door, where I was treated to a Rationale EpiNova facial.
Alongside my requisite neck and shoulder massage, the session included a skin analysis, chemical peel and LED treatment, all of which left my skin glowing. It was a true feat given the time of year (mid-winter) and my regular water intake (insufficient).
Day one, lunch
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The next stop on your itinerary should be Stillwater, the apparent jewel in Launceston’s gastronomic crown. While that may not sound noteworthy for a city with a population of around 100,000, Launceston is internationally recognised as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, thanks to its colder climate, fertile soil and close connections with nearby farmers, orchards, vineyards and other producers.
The restaurant is perched waterside upon the banks of the Kanamaluka / Tamar estuary, with a view that’s best appreciated during daylight. It was the one place my hosts, Daniel Tan and his wife and co-director Natalie, booked for my stay and we shared from the ever-changing seasonal menu, ordering a little too much.
Our selects included perfectly-cooked Tasmanian scallops, indulgent potato and gruyere croquettes, and a soba noodle chicken salad that nailed the balance of refreshing but satisfying. “We come here a lot,” my hosts commented mid-meal and after sampling the menu, I have no doubt.
Day one, afternoon
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Use the afternoon to stroll around town and get your bearings. Launceston’s central gardens, City Park, make for a beautiful stroll thanks in part to the (somewhat controversial) presence of Macaque monkeys who live there, gifted by Launceston’s Japanese sister city Ikeda in the 1980s. In an effort to slow down, I stood and watched the monkeys for a good 45 minutes as they played, climbed, groomed and nursed.
From there, stroll over to Dada Muse, an unassuming gallery just around the corner that houses Australia’s largest collection of Salvador Dalí works on paper, alongside other surrealist art. Part of the gallery is free to browse and if you like what you see, you can purchase tickets to explore more for a very pocket-friendly $10. This was one part of my trip I regretfully had to skip, as I was nursing an injury at the time and had to budget my step count. But reviews of the space are consistently glowing and I was sad to miss it.
Day one, evening
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You’ll still be full from lunch (if not, you didn’t order right) but in a city like Launceston, a girl’s gotta eat. Head to Havilah, a wine bar just opposite Princes Square. Offering a simple, thougthful menu, its focus is on quality execution and, of course, quality wine. Attached to the bar is a well-stocked bottle shop, heroing local drops to drink in or take away.
Day two, morning
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Those coming from ‘the mainland’ (as locals refer to the rest of Australia) will likely be searching for a quality coffee to rival their regular back home, and Launceston delivers. Sweetbrew is who I trusted for my morning drop, after my hosts directed me to its sophomore venue, Tatler Lane, for breakfast. You could dine in, or hold out a little longer for the next stop on your morning itinerary, Bread and Butter.
A butter factory and bakery in one, Bread and Butter knows its way around a pastry. The breakfast menu is original, well-priced and exciting, with surprising combinations that make a whole lot of sense. I was tempted by a cultured butter croissant, kimchi toastie, sardines on toast (you can take the girl out of Melbourne), a cardamom pretzel, a tahini brownie, the house crumpets and the menu’s simplest item, a $9.00 serving of toast and butter.
With limited stomach space, I settled on a walnut croissant – a delightful spin on its trusty almond counterpart. I’d recommend stocking up on something for lunch, too. You’ll need it for the next stop on your itinerary.
Day two, lunch
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If only I had a dollar for everyone who told me to stop at Cataract Gorge. A hop, skip and jump out of Launceston’s centre, the gorge is a spectacle of natural beauty that tops pretty much every ‘What to do in Launceston’ list. For anyone looking to step out of their own head and ‘touch grass’ so to speak, it’s the perfect stop on a weekend itinerary. Or so I’ve been told. Regretfully, my last day in town featured uncharacteristic, persistent rainfall and low-hanging cloud. I opted out of a rain-soaked ride on the world’s longest scenic chairlift and instead took an Uber to the pub.
Day two, late afternoon
The last stop on your Launceston itinerary should be The Clarendon Arms, a pub in the historic town of Evandale. While it’s about a 30-minute drive from Launceston, it’s only a five-minute ride to the airport, a concept unheard of in Melbourne. The town is reminiscent of Daylesford, dotted with spots like antiques stores and heritage tea rooms. The hotel itself was built in 1847 and has kept that classic British pub feel that so many try to emulate.
I skipped the three-course set Christmas in July menu (cute) and traditional pub fare (classic), and opted for a stuffed roasted capsicum with a sweet treat to finish. Both were delicious. Seated comfortably by the fire, I hung around for a while with my Kindle, but would recommend strolling through the antique shops dotted nearby, while you digest pre-flight.
The writer was hosted by Dr Daniel Tan and Associates.
For more to explore in Launceston, head here.
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