Old Mac's

The first recommended day trip is to leave Launceston and proceed down the West Tamar Hwy via Riverside to Legana, taking the turnoff to Grindalwald - a Swiss Village which is definitely worth a look.

Continue on to Beaconsfield and call into the Beaconsfield Mine Centre. After visiting there you can go on to Seahorse World and Platypus Encounters at Beauty Point - worth stopping for lunch at the new restaurant "The Cormorant". Come back through Beaconsfield and turn left to the Batman Bridge to cross the Tamar River.

Continue to George Town to the Pilot Station. Then come up the East Tamar Hwy to Hillwood Strawberry Farm which is just 20 mins from Launceston where you can pick your own fruit or indulge in an afternoon desert - the family at Hillwood also operate Stonesthrow Cafe.

The magnificent mountain of Ben Lomond is one hour’s drive from Launceston and well worth the visit. Ben Lomond is dominated by an alpine plateau over 1,500 metres high and surrounded on all sides by precipitous escarpments. It is also the main destination for downhill skiing in Tas. Its stark treeless landscape is visible from much of Tasmania’s north and the road to the top known as Jacob’s Ladder is sure to leave a lasting memory.

After leaving Ben Lomond come back through the historic town of Evandale. Not far out of Evandale is Clarendon House, a historic homestead well worth the visit. You can either go back through Longford which is another historic town or back past the airport into Launceston.

Another suggestion is a trip up to the Highland Lakes area, leaving Launceston travelling through Longford and the ex-Hydro village of Poatina then on to Arthurs and Great Lakes, stopping in to Great Lake Hotel for a great lunch. 



Continue back through to Deloraine and out to Chudleigh and Mole Creek to see the Mole Creek Caves, 41 Degree South Salmon Ponds and Melita Honey Farm, then back through Westbury, Carrick and into Launceston.