Launnie is a perfectly sized city for kids. A leafy kingdom brimming with adventure. Plenty of places to swing, climb and slide, learn about bridges, boats and bushrangers, dwell in a magical fairy glen, greet a monkey in the park, explore outdoors, see the dinosaurs. One thing is for sure – they’ll sleep well tonight.
Play Outside
City Park. One of the coolest old-world parks in Australia, family favourites include a Macaque Monkey Enclosure, daily train rides, John Hart Conservatory, outdoor play spaces, BBQ and picnic areas. Tamar Street, Launceston.
Riverbend Park. This new all-abilities park on the waterfront has swings, diggers, sandpits, a wheelchair carousel, water play area, musical instruments and two of the largest pieces of play equipment in Australia. 81 Lindsay St, Invermay.
Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre. Perfect for a day out with the family. Splash and play in two heated indoor and outdoor beach-entry pools and try out the 65m long waterslide. 18A High Street.
Cataract Gorge Reserve. Wilderness is just a 15minute walk from the city centre. See native wildlife and peacocks and explore the reserve on accessible tracks and (in summer) make a splash in the pool. Basin Road, West Launceston.
Have a field day
Penny Royal Adventures. Take a (very spooky) bushranger Dark Ride, sail a brig, traverse the clifftop walk, fossick for gems, pan for gold or kick off your shoes for the convict barefoot sensation trail. 1 Bridge Road, Launceston.
Hollybank Wilderness Adventures. Play in the treetop rope course, zipline through the blue gum canopy or glide along the forest floor on a Segway tour. 66 Hollybank Road, Underwood.
Tamar Island Wetland Centre. Wander along the boardwalk to Tamar Island through a sanctuary teeming with plant and animal life. Keep an eye out for turbo chooks Bring a picnic lunch or try nearby Alpenrose Bistro. West Tamar Highway, Riverside.
Hillwood Berries. Show them how their favourite berry snacks are grown and hunt through the patches to find the very best ones on an idyllic second-generation family farm. 105 Hillwood Road, Hillwood.
Not just for a rainy day
Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk. Meet the dinosaurs and Thylacine and explore all things Tassie on the self-guided Kids Trail. Littlies learn through touch and play at the Phenomena Factory, and the Planetarium is perfect for kids of all ages. 2 Invermay Road, Launceston.