Launceston (pop. 80,943) is a city in the Australian island state of Tasmania. It stands at the head of the Tamar River, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from the northern coast, in a valley sheltered in the south by high mountains. Launceston has Old World buildings set among parks and gardens. But it is also a thriving industrial center in one of the richest farming areas in Tasmania. It has woolen mills and railroad workshops. It exports wool, apples, vegetables, minerals, and timber. A nearby aluminum plant refines bauxite.
Tourist attractions in the area include the Cataract Gorge, the Waverley Woolen Mills, and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. Several fully restored, stately country homes, such as Entally House, Franklin House, and Clarendon, are open to the public.
