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Accessible Guide to Launceston & Northern Tasmania

A local guide to step-free venues in Launceston and the Tamar Valley.

Looking for accessible things to do in and around Launceston? We’ve taken expert advice and road-tested dozens of locations to find the places that know how to make you feel at home. Because travel should be fun and easy for everyone.

In this guide you’ll find accommodation, restaurants and cafes, wineries, nature reserves and plenty of other great local experiences for people of all abilities and interests – so you can do Launnie your way.

20+ accessible travel destinations in Launceston and surrounds

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
Spread over two sites in Launceston, The Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk and Art Gallery at Royal Park offer easy access to visitors of all abilities and interests (from dinosaurs to fine art)

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Harvest Launceston Community Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday morning from 8.30am to 12.30pm Harvest Launceston Community Farmers Market enlivens the city centre with a cornucopia of farm gate goods and live entertainment.

Parking and drop-off available. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Cataract Gorge Cruise

Spend a cruisy afternoon afloat a tranquil Tamar River Cruise to take in Tamar Island, Cataract Gorge and capture Batman Bridge from the best angle.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Design Tasmania
Design Tasmania is a not-for-profit dedicated to furthering design in Tasmania. Their wood collection is the only one of its kind in Australia.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome. Sensory sensitivity tours available.

Tamar Valley Wine Tours
Unwind on a fully guided tour of some of the best wineries and cellar doors on a wheelchair friendly, Open Wine Tour through the acclaimed Tamar Valley wine region.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Riverside precinct
The waterfront precinct of Launceston from Riverbend Park to Zig Zag Reserve (via Launceston Skate Park and graffiti wall) has been designed with many kinds of wheels in mind.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

City Park
Visit Launceston’s beautiful nineteenth century park, meet the Macaque Monkeys and enjoy the duck pond and senses garden. Summertime brings Music to the Park.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Automobile Museum
The place for automotive enthusiasts, the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania is packed with vintage automobiles, motorcycles, and memorabilia. The totally level site and spacious design is geared for the widest of chairs.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Shower bench. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Launceston Planetarium
Gaze in wonder at beautiful stellar projections and learn about the night sky at Launceston Planetarium. Shows run Tuesday to Sunday every week delighting stargazers of all ages.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Accessible day trips from Launceston

Grindelwald Swiss VillageGrindelwald Swiss Village
Stop in at the picturesque Swiss-styled village of Grindelwald for café lunch and bucolic views over the lakes and Tamar valley. 30 minutes north from Launceston.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Accessible cellar doors in the Tamar Valley

Explore the award-winning Tamar Valley wine region at these state-of-the-art and wheelchair-friendly cellar doors:

  • Brook Eden
  • Cabbage Tree Hill
  • Clover Hill
  • Iron Pot Bay
  • Jantz
  • Pipers Brook Winery
  • Small Wonder
  • Stony Rise
  • Swinging Gate
  • Tamar Ridge
  • Velo

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Bridstowe Lavender Estate

Wander tranquil paths through fields of purple flower fields as far as the eye can see at Bridestowe, stop in at the café or take a tour of the working farm. You’ll find the blooms at their best over summer. 45 minutes Northeast from Launceston.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre
Explore this historic site and museum offering up a multisensory curiosity cabinet of artefacts covering gold-mining history and more. Most of Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Site is wheelchair accessible with the exception of the Garden. 50 minutes north from Launceston.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Seahorse World and Platypus House
Meet these elusive and adorable locals at Seahorse World and Platypus House. These two nature experience are size by side at Beauty Point. One hour north from Launceston.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance dogs welcome.

The Truffle Farm
Visit the home of Australia's first Black Truffle. Learn about the history of truffles from the pioneering family, and hear the story of how truffles were first grown here in Australia. Join second generation truffle farmer Anna, and her truffle hunting dogs and dig up some magic of your own (tours run December to September annually).

The Truffle Farm caters for people with the following accessibility needs: blind or have low vision; limited mobility; wheelchairs or mobility scooters; food allergies or intolerances; cognitive or people with Autism Spectrum.

Accessible National Parks and Reserves near Launceston

Cataract Gorge Reserve
Cataract Gorge Reserve is a must-see attraction just a few moments from Launceston CBD. Enjoy native wildlife and watch resident peacocks strut their stuff and explore the reserve on accessible tracks.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Reduced-mobility lift. Assistance Dogs welcome.

Tamar Island Wetlands Centre and Reserve
Traverse an amazingly biodiverse wetland landscape via a solid boardwalk and stop for a picnic and a spot of birdwatching at the bird hide. Tamar Island Wetlands Centre is 10 minutes north from Launceston.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Assistance dogs welcome.

Hollybank
This easy 2km track at Hollybank takes your through a mix of native forest and huge ash trees that put on a spectacular show of colour in Autumn. 20 Minutes Northeast from Launceston.

Parking. Wheelchair accessible. Assistance dogs welcome.

3 tips for accessible visits to Tasmania’s national parks.

  • Assistance dogs are welcome in our national parks. Please have ID handy and check in with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service staff when you arrive
  • Trailrider (all-terrain wheelchairs) are available for free hire at Cradle Mountain and several other sites around the state
  • For a comprehensive list of accessible parks in Tasmania visit parks.tas.gov.au

Accessible restaurants and cafes in Launceston

From blissful brunch to gourmet meals – you’ll find something for all preferences and budgets.

These great local haunts give us all the right vibes with step-free access appropriate for wheelchairs and mobility scooters of varying sizes, convenient parking and drop-off points, accessible bathrooms (in house unless otherwise specified) and a warm Launnie welcome.

Basin Café
Casual café dining with incomparable views over Cataract Gorge a perfect spot to replenish after exploring Cataract Gorge. Cataract Gorge

Blue Inc
Serving some of Launnie’s best brunches and dinners from a menu ‘touched by fire’. 2 Invermay Road

Bread + Butter
This small butter factory, bakery and coffee shop in a chic converted warehouse is just cool in every way. Cimitiere Street

The Ducks Bar and Restaurant
A perfect wine-region lunch stop, nestled amongst the vineyards overlooking the Tamar River. Let them know you’re coming for red-carpet ramp service. 95 Rosevears Drive, Rosevears

Earthy Eats
A local haven for wholesome, healthy foods with options for all dietary needs. 19 Kingsway

Gorge Restaurant
Modern Australian meals in scenic Cataract Gorge dine inside or alfresco on their tree-shaded patio. Wheelchair-friendly public restrooms nearby. 74 Gorge Rd, Trevallyn

Grain of the Silos
Peppers hotel café and restaurant is all about fresh, authentic, farm to table experiences. 89/91 Lindsay Street

Me Wah Launceston
Traditional Cantonese cooking meets local Tasmanian produce in this popular local Chinese restaurant. Dine a la carte or visit for their bustling yum cha on Sundays. 39-41 Invermay Rd

Mudbar Restaurant
This waterfront café and restaurant serves up fresh local food including grass fed lamb and seasonal produce from their very own farm. 28 Seaport Boulevard

Rupert and Hound
Enjoy fresh seafood and other local, seasonal, and sustainable produce overlooking North Esk River. 30 Seaport Boulevard.

Samuel Pepy’s Café
An eclectic, retro-inspired haunt with plenty of heart serving coffee, gluten free slices and light meals. 106 George Street

Stillwater Restaurant This converted antique mill is home to one of Tasmania’s most awarded restaurants, serving up fresh local produce and premium Tasmanian wines. 2 Bridge Road

Sweetbrew
One of the best places in Launnie to get caffeinated. Expect unique brews, good vibes, and great food. They’re really popular though, so call ahead to reserve your spot. 93a George Street

The Metz
This award winning, family-owned restaurant is the perfect mix of stylish and laid back. Stop in for wood-fired pizza, modern Australian dishes and cocktails. 119 St John Street

VegOut on George.
Amazing plant-based cooking with a tempting all-day lunch menu and seriously #aesthetic sweet treats. Wheelchair-friendly public restrooms nearby. 55 George St

Best accessible accommodation

We’ve put some of our favourite stays in Launceston to the test to come up with our top five step-free accommodations in Launnie that know how to make guests feel at home.

Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston
4.5-star accommodation in the centre of town with spacious rooms, convenient parking and step-free access.

The Sebel, Launceston
Boutique apartment-style accommodation with wheelchair accessible rooms, shower benches and custom sinks.

Peppers Silo
Gorge view rooms at in the iconic converted grain silos on Tamar River front have plenty of space to manoeuvre and can be customised for people with disabilities upon request.

Stillwater Seven
Their custom wheelchair accessible courtyard suite has level access, loads of space to move. Shower benches and rails can be set-up upon request.

Aspect Tamar Velley Resort, Grindelwald
Part of the quirky Swiss village, Aspect have well sized and accessible hotel rooms on the ground floor with level access to café, bakery, shops, and outdoor spaces. Bathrooms have handrails and shower chairs.

Meander Country cabins & Vans
Meander Country Cabins & Vans is situated in Meander, surrounded by a thriving farming industry and majestic mountain ranges. Offering equal access rooms.

For plenty more options, visit discovertasmania.com.au and search with the ‘facilities’ filter.

Accessible public toilets and parking bays in Launceston

Use this map to locate accessible public toilets and parking bays in Launceston.