Launceston

One of Australia's oldest cities, Launceston is one of the best-preserved examples of elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture in Australia, coupled with its century-old parks strung along the banks of the River Tamar. As Tasmania's second largest city, it is also a vibrant hub for food and wine, and one of only two cities in Australia to be named as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery offers a remarkably diverse and constantly evolving collection of art and museum exhibits, while you can get your nature fix just 15 minutes walk out of the city at the 65 million year old Cataract Gorge. It offers beautiful gardens, 5 kilometers of forested river reserve and walking trails, a swimming pool and a delightfully slow retro chairlift ride that offers far-reaching views over the dramatic gorge.