Tasmania's second city is packed with kid-friendly fun.
Cute and compact, Launceston is great for kids. There are loads of wildlife experiences and open spaces to explore, as well museums and theme parks packed with activities. Meet monkeys or sea critters, take a chairlift or a time-travel barge. For adventures big and small, indoors and out, Launceston has family holidays covered.
Tourism Tasmania/Pete Harmsen
Admire peacocks at Cataract Gorge.
Explore Cataract Gorge
Cataract Gorge is an incredible wilderness reserve close to central Launceston and crammed with things to do with the kids. Thrill them with a chairlift ride over the Basin, cool off at the swimming pool, and take in the views from the suspension bridge. There are peacocks roaming around, walking trails and picnic areas, plus a playground, kiosk and cafe. Day out sorted.
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Adventure meets history at Penny Royal.
Have a Penny Royal adventure
Penny Royal Adventures is an adventure theme park with a historical twist. There are indoor and outdoor rock-climbing walls. And even rope bridges suspended from the side of a cliff face. Kids can try zip lines and cliff jumps as well as gold-panning and gemstone fossicking. And they can embark on grand historical adventures, such as the Dark Ride. Time travel on a barge, right back to 1825, and be immersed in the escapades of notorious bushranger Matthew Brady.
Discover tigers and planets
Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) is a magical world of dinosaurs, artworks, outer space exhibits and even the legendary Tasmanian tiger. There's a planetarium to explore, and the Phenomena Factory, which is an interactive science centre. Follow the Tasmanian Connections kids' trail to dig into the natural science and history collections. And keep an eye out for school holiday activities. QVMAG is at two sites: the museum is at Inveresk and the gallery is at Royal Park. There are parenting rooms at both.
Go to Seahorse World
Here's a wildlife experience with a difference: Seahorse World is a working seahorse farm. Kids can learn all about the marine wonders as they tour the farm. They'll see newborn seahorses – they'll even get to hold one – and get to meet other sea critters, including starfish and hermit crabs. During the school holidays, there's an hour-long Kids Discovery Program for children aged four to 10 years.
See the monkeys in City Park
City Park is fun for the whole family. It's a lovely, historic park with a play space, picnic tables and toddler equipment for the kids to enjoy. There's a conservatory, fountains, easy walking paths, a radio museum (and live radio broadcasts) – and Japanese monkeys. That's right, there's a Japanese macaque enclosure there. Who knew? Kids will go nuts for their crazy antics as they monkey about. Keep an eye on the park's events calendar too, especially in summer.
