Australia’s Most Underrated City?
What if I told you…
some people come to Launceston…
and never want to leave?
They call it Launnie —
a city where people don’t just live…
they build a life…
and some even say — they’d be happy to be born here again.
And even locals debate the nickname —
some say “Launnie”… others say “Lonnie” —
but either way… it feels like home.
Welcome to Launceston —
one of Australia’s oldest cities, founded in 1806…
where the North and South Esk rivers meet
to form the Tamar River.
But Launnie isn’t just history…
It’s a city of four distinct seasons —
crisp winters… golden autumns…
fresh springs… and calm summers.
Walk through its streets…
and you’ll notice something different —
beautiful heritage buildings, preserved architecture…
blended with modern infrastructure and growth.
With a growing airport…
and billions being invested into the region…
this quiet city is evolving fast.
And here’s something most people don’t know…
Launceston is a true “City of Firsts” —
the first city in Australia to have electric street lights…
the first in the Southern Hemisphere to use anaesthetic…
and one of the first to build an underground sewerage system.
Then there’s Cataract Gorge…
Just minutes from the city centre —
home to the world’s longest single-span chairlift…
gliding above cliffs, river, and forest.
Explore places like Penny Royal…
visit museums… or head into the Tamar Valley for world-class wine.
Launceston isn’t loud…
it doesn’t try to impress.
But if you spend time here…
you’ll feel it.
And once you do…
you might not want to leave either.
Would you visit Launnie?