What I like so much about Launceston - Part 1

April 28, 2015 | 2 Comments


Before I start flooding this blog with my sketches from my recent trip to Melbourne over Easter, I want to return to a few thoughts I had from my trip to Tasmania in February. And also give you a sneak peak into some of the things that we will be looking at during my upcoming travel sketching workshop in October (more details here).

Most people (me included!) going to Tasmania make Hobart as the major destination. For years I have not had Launceston on my radar, but after last years visit (did a workshop and organised an USK event in June 2014) I realised that this town was a gem!

Yes Hobart has some big ticket items, the stunning Mt Wellington and the iconic Battery Point etc, but Launceston as a city is more significant architecturally, more compact and more easily explored.


There is a high proportion of historical buildings in the town, and lots of them are very grand …


…and it is nice that the church spires are still very prominent in the skyline.

It is a VERY sketchable city and I am so excited that through some amazing online links that are formed these days, I am providing a travel sketching workshop in October.


The workshops are being organised in partnership with a local team and participants will be staying at the lovely Boutique Apartments of TwoFourTwo. It is a really lovely part of town. Sadly I didn’t have more time to sketch the immediate surrounds during my February visit, but here is a super quick sketch of the streetscape of Charles St. My apartment was just above the cafe on the corner! Nice!


I stayed two nights in the Studio apartment and this was one of the views I sketched from the window.  The apartment was GREAT! I am fairly fussy about the things that I ideally want in a hotel room and this ticked all the boxes – including a hot waterbottle and just look at that brand of earl grey tea! I wouldn’t base a tripadvisor review on the brand of tea, but having a good EGT is very special!


Another day, another sketch of a cottage as viewed from my window… there were more views to sketch if I had had more time.


Those churches that head the top of this post are nearby – I just love the area around Princes Square Park. And there is also lots of great food in the area. This was my sketch from an amazing vegan place opposite the park (the food was good and more great tea!)


And oh! there are a few cafes just downstairs with great coffee!

So much for telling your about the city of Launceston… I will have to leave that for another post! And I also have to share more about the Sights and Bites mini tour I was taken on too.

More soon!

Anyway… I do hope that some of you can join me for what will be a really fun three days sketching and exploring Launceston together.


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