Launceston
Situated at the head of the beautiful Tamar Valley wine growing region, few places in the world can match Launceston's natural and historic charm.
We enjoy an enviable way of life that is at once relaxing and invigorating, a lifestyle centred around a climate similar to the south of France, the great outdoors, a vibrant scene and our world-renowned local food and wine.
Founded in 1806, Launceston is the nation's third-oldest city with a fascinating history traced in its beautiful old buildings and streetscapes dating from early Colonial and convict times to Georgian and Victorian eras. Today these buildings are much valued by the community and admired by visitors, housing fashionable restaurants, cafes, banks, boutiques and high-tech businesses.
The city is situated where two rivers meet to become the Tamar on its way to the sea, and is famous for its ancient ravine cut into the hills by the South Esk River. This, Cataract Gorge, has been a major focus for Launceston's leisure time since the city's earliest days and is just a 15 minute walk from the city. You can stroll among the peacocks and rhododendrons in the Gorge Cliff Grounds and cross the river to the summer open-air swimming pool on the world's longest single-span chairlift (or take the suspension bridge). Eateries are situated on both sides of the Gorge and there are also many walking trails to explore.
From the Kings Bridge end of the Gorge, you can walk past the boardwalk cafes and wine bars of modern Seaport, to the cultural precinct at Inveresk. Here you'll find the impressive Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the University's Academy of the Arts and award-winning School of Architecture, and the Tramsheds Function Centre.
This Launceston map (PDF 160kb) shows the location of the Tramshed Function Centre, the Symposium hotels and other Symposium venues.
The Tramsheds
Situated within the Inveresk Precinct, which has evolved from a dramatic industrial past to a dynamic cultural future, the Launceston Tramsheds were used by TasRail for the Launceston Tramway System from 1911 until approximately 1932. The Tramways commenced service from the current site in August 1911 with 14 locally-built trams, each seating 34 passengers plus standers.
Later trams were built at the present site of the Launceston Tramsheds Function Centre. In all there were 25 four-wheelers plus an 1100-gallon water tanker which sprinkled the streets. Following the devastating 1929 floods, the Municipal Tramways moved. The tram sheds housed the “Railway Institute” until the vibrant Inveresk precinct was developed.
Today, this complex of renovated and recycled rail buildings houses the Tramsheds Function Centre, adjacent to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. The Tramsheds Function Centre is a leisurely 5 minutes walk to the Launceston Central Business District, accommodation and restaurant venues.
