We chose Launceston our base for weeklong stay at Tasmania. It is such a beautiful state that anyone needs at least a couple of weeks to visit major tourist attractions. We had only a week and we wanted to make the best of our stay. Shuvro booked an apartment in Launceston. Moreover, Launceston is the closest Tasmanian City from Bass Strait port where the Voyage on the “Spirit of Tasmania “terminated.

Launcheston City:

Launceston is a city in the north of Tasmania, at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after Hobart. With a population (greater urban and statistical sub division) of 106,153 Launceston is the ninth largest non-capital city in Australia. It is the only inland city in Tasmania.

Settled by Europeans in March 1806, Launceston is one of Australia's oldest cities and is home to many historic buildings. Like many Australian places, it was named after a town in the United Kingdom – in this case, Launceston, Cornwall.

Launceston has also been home to several firsts such as the first use of anesthetic in the Southern Hemisphere, the first Australian city to have underground sewers and the first Australian city to be lit by hydroelectricity. The city has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.

Launceston is at41°26′31″S 147°8′42″E41.44194°S 147.14500°E  in the Tamar Valley, Northern Tasmania. The valley was formed by volcanic and glacial forces over 10 million years ago. The city is approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of the Bass Strait, with its closest neighbor-city being Devonport, approximately 99 kilometres (62 mi) to the north west. Launceston combines steep (originally heavily wooded) ridges and low-lying areas (originally wetlands – with parts of the suburbs of Inveresk and Invermay below high-tide level). As a result, areas of Launceston are subject to landslip problems, while others are liable to poor drainage and periodic flooding. The topography of the area is not conducive to easy dispersion of airborne pollution, due to the phenomenon of thermal inversion. 

Day One at Tasmania:

Shuvro and his friend Mahabub discussing with Rozy made the plan of visiting places of tourists’ attraction. Rozy took with her sufficient dry food – Paratas,sweets and crunchy foods .She also took several type of her flavored tea. We got ready by 9AM and we stepped out we were greeted with beautiful flowers bloomed in the garden of the resort. Our first day destination was Old Hobart Model City and Tasmania Safari Park.

Visit to the Borong Safari Park: 

The Safari park was about two hours’ drive from the guest house and one the way we passed through few small cities and town .In the tourism season Tasmanian cities and suburbs turned beautiful with flowers blooming everywhere .We stopped for a coffee break and had some photographs taken at the local war memorial.

The safari park had three sections. Mild and friendly animals were accessible for visitors for tapping and taking photographs. The Lions, Tigers are other ferocious animals were in the cage .However visitors could feed them under special animals. Rozy and Shuvro enjoyed playing with Kangaroos, Coalas, Deers and Camels. The zoo part of the park had very rich collection of birds.Some special animals like Tasmanian devil, White Lions; different type of Kangaroos and Coala beers attracts most visitors.

The open carrier travel into camel land created real fan .Rozy and the boys enjoyed feeding the camels .

One Royal Bengal tiger announced the presence of Bangladesh in Tasmania .I took the opportunity of a small talk on Royal Bengal and promote the scenic beauty of Sundarban to a group of tourist from different countries.

Visit to Old Hobart City Model 

Tasmania has rich heritage being one of the oldest colony of England in down under. Hobart Model City holds the chronological development of Australian modern urbanization with models. One can see how English sailors and navigators first landed, set up small cottages. How they lived with animals, how they started mining, catching fishes, cultivating crops, making gardens and so on.

We had our lunch at a local restaurant. The pumpkin soup with roasted vegetable wassumptuous. Luckily we came across a family who claimed to be family friend of Australian cricket Captain Ricky Ponting. We had nice one hour talking about international cricket .The gentleman Ashley Morris told us about Pontings fancy for racing dogs. 

On our way back we visited few look outs and lake. We spend some time boating in the lake and taking photographs.

We returned to Launceston in the evening and after a brief rest went to a Thai restaurant for a nice dinner. The seafood nuddles and salmon fish with honey were special delicacies. Rozy made friendship with a group of Mexican Girls.

To Be Continued 

BDST: 1629 HRS, SEP 09, 2014