Contemporary Art Journey

Love contemporary art? Looking for a short break this Spring that will satisfy your culture needs and foodie desires? Then pack a pair of comfy shoes and get ready to explore Launnie.

There is plenty to soak up with new and exclusive shows at QVMAG. If you love surrealist art be sure to check out Tasmania's newest gallery dAda mUse, home to Australia's largest collection of Salvador D'Ali works on paper. Shake off the winter blues at Junction Arts Festival, a collision of art, music and performance.

A City of Gastronomy, you will find an abundance of quirky cafes, distilleries, craft breweries, wineries, paddock to plate experiences and restaurants in and around Launnie.

Come for a short break and you are sure to leave making a promise to return and linger for longer on your next visit.

Junction Arts Festival returns in 2023 from the 20-24th September with a lush springtime celebration, encouraging you to shake off those winter blues and celebrate Tassie as it comes alive for spring. Coinciding perfectly with the Spring equinox, Junction is the place where Tasmanian art, music and performance collide in a stunning kaleidoscope of colour, full of magical surprises and experiences to delight.

With plenty of free and ticketed shows, there's sure to be something for everyone. From kids shows and fabulous family events, to early evening boogies and late night delights, Launnie will be bursting with captivating visual art, mesmerising light installations and an amazing line-up of the island’s best original music. We also have some of the finest circus and cabaret artists performing within our exceptional curated events. Feast on lavish Tassie food and taste the splendid spirits, wine, and local brews the island has to offer as you party late into the night.

Miniature Worlds showcases the magic of small-scale making.

Featuring statewide, national and international miniature artists, works on display are a mix of existing and newly developed miniatures for this show. Focussing on miniature art this is a new exhibition series developed by QVMAG and is exclusively on display at the Art Gallery Royal Park from 14 October 2023 to 2 February 2024. Free entry!

Image: Joshua Smith

QVMAG is home to one of the oldest and most significant natural science collections in Australia and the Royal Park site has proudly housed all the wonders of these collections for over 130 years.

Featuring works by artists that represent nature in strange, contemporary and creative ways. Strange Nature will immerse you into the art of major contemporary artists with works from Tasmanian and national artists on display. QVMAG has developed this new and exclusive exhibition of various mediums of work on display from 28 October 2023 to 10 March 2024. Entry is free.

Image: Troy Emery, Big Blue 2022. Courtesy of Martin Browne Contemporary.

dAda mUse is Tasmania’s new gallery, located in Launceston. The Surrealist Art Museum is the home of Australia’s largest collection of Salvador Dalí works on paper.

The dAda mUse building is one of Launceston’s most historically noteworthy buildings. Located on Cimitiere Street, the 1842 Johnstone and Wilmot building has been carefully renovated to retain historical features while providing new spaces including the art museum.

Guided tours and event bookings are available via the gallery's website. Entrance to the lower floor, Melting Clocks, is free of charge, although donations are welcome. The second floor, Labyrinth of Dreams, is ticketed, this floor showcases original and rare artworks.

Around every corner there are foodie delights. Launceston is brimming with quirky cafes, local food haunts showcasing the region's abundant fresh produce, craft breweries, waterfront dining, not to mention a great food truck scene dishing up mouth watering fare that you won't believe was created in a such a tiny van!

Venture a little further to the nearby regions and you find cellar doors, distilleries and paddock to plate experiences. The Tamar Valley is well known for world class cool climate wines and the first of many vineyards is located less than 15-minutes from Launceston.

While you are here, ask a local where their favourite spot is for a bite to eat. Always ready with a smile and a story to tell, they are sure to point you in the right direction.

Read more about why Launceston is recognised as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Travelling to Launnie is easy with direct flights from several mainland cities. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar all service Launceston Airport and starting in November 2023, Bonza added a direct service from the Gold Coast.

Launceston airport is located a short 15-minute drive from the centre of the city, take the regular airport shuttle service, jump in a taxi, hop in an Uber or grab a hire car from the airport, check in to your accommodation and start exploring.

If you've already decided a longer break is the way to go then pack up your car and take the ferry. Spirit of Tasmania offers regular night sailings from Geelong to Devonport, with additional day sailings during peak demand times. Devonport is an easy 50-minute drive from Launceston with plenty to see and do along the way, you might choose to take a slow drive!

Create your own short break using our interactive trip planner. Check out what's on in Northern Tasmania.