Anywhere But Here

:: Two Four Two : Gorgeous designer accommodation : 242 Charles St : tel 6331 9242 : email

:: Rosevears Vineyard Retreat : 15 mins from Launceston : Apartments, restaurant & Cellar Door with stunning Tamar Valley views : 1A Waldron Drive, Rosevears : tel 6330 1800

:: Quamby Estate : Stunning country property 20 mins from Launceston : 1145 Westwood Road : 6392 2211 or if modern French Provincial is more your style try :: Red Feather Inn : 10kms SW of Launceston : 42 Main St Hadspen : 6393 6506 they also have a cooking school

:: Quadrant Mall : independent boutiques. For fabulous homewares and Australian designer labels (Willow, Camilla & Marc, Gorman, Ginger and Smart) head to Homebody : 68 Charles Street : 6334 9944

:: Cocoon - 109 George St : 6331 0611

:: Francophiles should head to Vintage Rose : 37 Tamar Street & La Cigale : 2 Yorktown Sq : 6331 8052 :: for the perfect mille feuilles, pop into Delicious Bakery & Cafe at 12-14 Yorktown Sq

:: Fly : Hollybank Treetops Adventure : spend 3 hours gliding over the canopy : 15 mins NE of Launceston

:: Golf : Barnbougle Dunes is a world class, #1 rated public access Australian course : 427 Waterhouse Rd, Bridport : tel 6356 0094

:: Cataract Gorge Reserve : Just 15 walk from the city centre : tel 1800 651 827 : Stop off at the new Basin Cafe

:: Relish : Shop 1, 43 Arthur Street : 6331 3122

:: Fresh on Charles : 178 Charles Street : 6331 4299 : funky cheerful cafe & great vegetarian food served all day : Breakfast is a must w/ fresh juices dishes, apple couscous porridge or baked eggs with chilli beans + good coffee :: head to Tant Pour Tant for brekky, lunch & delicious cakes : 226 Charles St : 6334 9884

:: Pantry Cafe : 62 - 64 Charles St : 6331 6984

:: Stillwater River Cafe : Gorgeous outdoor dining overlooking the Tamar River : BL&D : Ritchie's Mill (at the bottom of Paterson St across from Penny Royale) : tel 6331 4153 : Check out The Mill Providore & Gallery next door

:: Pierre's Brasserie Cafe : A Launceston institution : BL&D : Closed all day Sunday & Monday night : 88 George St : 6331 6835

:: Aroma’s Fine Food : 272 Charles St : 6331 4150

:: Black Cow Bistro : Cnr Paterson & George Sts : Open 7 nights for dinner : 6331 9333 : For fabulous steak and the loveliest service : bookings essential

:: The Terrace : Open for dinner 7 nights : Country Club Tasmania, Country Club Avenue, Prospect Vale : 6335 5777 : email

:: Mud Bar & Restaurant: 28 Seaport Boulevard Launceston : 6334 5066

:: Relax : Check out the gorgeous Mud Club Day Spa : 29 Seaport Boulevard : 6334 0033

:: Wine Tasting : Tamar Valley - Follow the Tamar Valley Wine route : tel 6332 9300 : An absolute must is lunch at Daniel Alps at Strathlynn : 95 Rosevears Dr, Rosevears : 6330 2388 : Join a wine tour with Valleybrook

:: Markets

Homespun Market : Every Saturady 10am - 3pm : Pilgrim Uniting Church, 34-36 Paterson St :: Farmers Market : 8.30am - 12pm every 2nd Sunday : Launceston Delicacy car Park 35 Canning St :: Fresh produce & bric-a-brac from 10am every Sunday at Round House Pavilion, Inversk :: Evandale : pretty 19th-century village lined with antique shops and galleries : Sun market from 8am-1pm in Falls Park on Logan Rd

:: Don't forget to stop off at The Raspberry Farm Cafe : Bass Highway, Elizabeth Town : Tel 63622186 : Open 7 days 7am-5pm

:: Don't drink too much : Visit the Boag's Brewery if your beer lover : 39 William St : for guided tastings and brewery tours : book online or call 6332 6300

:: Don't pig out : hard not to with the gorgeous Ashgrove Cheese shop open 7 days and grab gourmet foods from Davies Grand Central Station : 86-96 Wellington St : 6331 9422 : a 24-hour corner store where you can pick up Martelli pasta, superior olive oils, Ferron carnaroli rice, flavour-rich organically grown local fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, Boks bacon, Heidi Gruyère, 41 Degrees South hot-smoked baby salmon and house-made pies and a good range of Tassie wines.

:: Swansea : 90 min drive from both Launceston (and Hobart) airports :: Stay at Avalon Coastal Retreat : spectacular design & views over the Tasman Sea : Sleeps 6 : From $660 per night : 1300 361 136 :: or 3km Sth of Swansea is Piermont retreat : 6257 8131 : fr $255-$525 w/ amazing views overlooking Oyster Bay and Freycinet Coast :: Breakfast & lunch at Bark Mill Tavern & Bakery : 96 Tasman Hwy or Trellis Cafe for good coffee and fine wine w/ lunch : 26 Franklin St : 6257 9095 :: Dine at award winning Piermont Restauarant : 12990 Tasman Hwy : 6257 8131 or Banc Restaurant : Cnr Franklin & Maria Sts : 6257 8896 : gorgeous food in a former bank :: Note: 45mins north is Freycinet & 45mins south is Maria Island ferry terminal

:: Devonport : 45 mins North West of Launceston : Steele Street is all about interiors and fine coffee and its all under one roof at Mason & Mason. This is worth making a special trip for. While you're there don't forget to visit the Devonport Regional Art Gallery in Stewart Street displaying a diverse collection of contemporary paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics and sculpture.

:: Wilderness Walks : Bay of Fires - 4 day Bay of Fires walk with accommodation at Bay of Fires Lodge & 3, 4 & 6 day walks with accommodation at Cradle Mountain Huts

See also Hobart

images top row L-R: Quamby Estate; Terrace Restaurant;, Vintage Rose; Cataract Gorge

bottom row : L-R: Strathlynn via; accommodation at Rosevears; Red Feather Cooking School; Red Feather Inn