Coming into the north through Prospect, Tasmania, we were greeted by our first proper look at Launceston. It’s quite a sight when the city opens up before you, nestled in the valley with the hills rolling away into the distance under a soft, grey sky. We knew right then we were going to enjoy our time here.
Once we got ourselves sorted, we headed into the heart of the city for a bit of a wander. It’s the kind of place that forces you to slow down and look up. We spent a good hour just strolling past these incredible old buildings that have been so beautifully preserved. One of our favourites was the old Australian Mutual building; the stonework and those heavy arched windows are just magnificent. Lisa kept stopping to admire the detail on the facades, while Steve was busy trying to figure out how they ever built such grand structures without the modern cranes we see today.
Further down the street, we came across another white building that looked like it belonged in a much larger world capital, with its long row of stately columns. It’s wonderful to see a city that respects its character. Even the traffic seemed a bit more polite here, though a bright green car zipping past did give us a bit of a chuckle against all that dignified white stone.
We eventually followed our noses to the City Park, and we are so glad we did. You kids would have absolutely loved it. We walked through these massive, ornate wrought iron gates that had "CITY PARK" worked right into the metal. It felt very official, like we were entering a private estate rather than a public space.
The gardens inside were immaculate. Lisa was particularly taken with a bed of Celosia—they were such a vibrant mix of fiery reds and bright yellows that they almost looked like they were glowing against the green grass. We spent a fair while just sitting nearby, enjoying the colours and the fresh air.
While wandering the paths, we found a beautiful yellow conservatory tucked away behind some trees. The long, elegant windows were reflecting the afternoon light, and the whole area felt so peaceful. It’s the sort of park where you could easily lose an entire afternoon and not regret a single minute of it.
After our city explore, we headed out to Old Macs Farm Stay, which is where we’ve set up camp for the next few days. It is exactly the kind of place we love—plenty of space and a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. There’s a big lake on the property that’s quite serene, and we spotted a quirky little birdhouse made to look like a cluster of rustic cottages sitting right on the water's edge.
The best part for Lisa, of course, has been the residents. We’ve already made friends with a couple of alpacas. One white fellow was quite happy to just sit in the grass and watch us go by with a very unimpressed look on his face. We can just imagine the grandkids running around here; you’d all be in your element with the space and the animals. It’s a far cry from the bustle of the city, and just what we needed to end the day.
