Is Launceston a good base, and who does it suit?
GentleEvery trip from here is rated 2 out of 5 for effort.
It suits almost everyone, and it is the easier Tasmanian base of the two. Launceston is far closer to Cradle Mountain than Hobart is — the day trip from here is $169 against $260 from Hobart — and every trip leaving Launceston is rated 2 out of 5 for effort, which makes it the gentler end of the island for families and older visitors. The clever move is the one-way day to Hobart from $209: you see Tasmania's middle instead of paying for a transfer.
Checked on 6 October 2026.
Most people fly into Hobart because it is the capital, and then drive north. Launceston is the quieter answer, and for one particular trip it is clearly the better one.
Why it is the easier base
- Cradle Mountain is much closer.From Launceston the day trip is $169; the same day out of Hobart is $260 and a far longer drive.
- Everything from here is rated 2 out of 5 for effort.Short walks, coach travel, nothing that demands a scramble.
- Groups are small20 or fewer on all of them.
- The Tamar Valley is on the doorstepwineries and the gorge, both within minutes of the city.
Every trip from Launceston
| Trip | Length | Starts and finishes | Effort | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day Cradle Mountain Tour | 1 day | Launceston / Launceston | — | $169 |
| 1 Day Launceston to Hobart | 1 day | Launceston / Hobart | — | $209 |
| 3 Day Mountain to Coast | 3 days, 2 nights | Launceston / Hobart | — | $539 |
Effort is rated 1 to 5 on the trip's own page. All three are 2.
The one-way trick
If you are flying into one city and out of the other — which plenty of people do — take the transfer as a tour. The Launceston to Hobart day at $209 runs you between the two with the sights of the midlands on the way, and you arrive having seen something rather than having sat on a bus. The 3 day Mountain to Coast does the same thing more slowly, taking in Cradle Mountain and the east coast between the two cities.
Who it suits
- Familiesshort drives, gentle walks, and Cradle Mountain without the long day from Hobart.
- Older visitorseffort 2 across the board, and the Dove Lake circuit is flat boardwalk.
- Solo travellerssmall groups of 20 or fewer, and the one-way days mean you keep moving without arranging anything.
- Anyone short of timeyou can land, do Cradle Mountain, and be in Hobart the next day.
Launceston or Hobart?
Hobart for Port Arthur, Bruny Island, MONA and the harbour. Launceston for Cradle Mountain and an easier pace. If you have five days or more, do not choose — the loops take in both. There is more on how long Tasmania needs on our Tasmania itinerary page.
Where this comes from. Trip lengths, start and finish points, effort ratings, group sizes and prices are each trip's own details as held on its page here, and prices update on their own.