Iconic Launceston Pubs Serving Craft Brews and More

Launceston might be small, but it punches above its weight when it comes to top spots to savour craft beers, crisp wine, gourmet food and historic charm.

While Hobart soaks up a good deal of the Tassie spotlight, charming Launceston is home to vibrant breweries, beautiful wine, and an abundance of heritage landmarks. This makes Launnie (or Lonnie depending on your preference) an ideal spot for sipping beverages while surrounded by antiques and artefacts.

Whether you’re looking for craft brews, a unique cocktail or great pinot noir, Launceston’s best pubs have you covered.

1. Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall

Housed in a former camping supply store and named after the Du Cane mountain range on Tassie’s iconic Overland Track, Du Cane is a brewery and dining hall celebrating local bushwalking culture. Connections to the wilderness run throughout this sprawling venue, with huge hand-painted maps showing local hiking routes on the walls and a rock-climbing area for the kids. Is this the most family-friendly pub in Tasmania?

Accompanying and elevating the beers is a straight-out-of-Italy woodfired pizza oven, which churns out delicious regulars (shout out to the Margherita) and unique offerings, with toppings including wallaby salami and local truffle oil. Why not grab your Tasmanian Parks Pass or Tasmanian fishing licence from the counter while you’re at it?

Address: 60-64 Elizabeth Street, Launceston

2. Havilah Wine Bar

Sitting pretty opposite Princes Square Park, Havilah is a stylish, compact wine bar offering an exceptional selection of vino and craft beers. Along with its bar, kitchen and bottle shop, Havilah is home to two labels: Havilah Wines (self-described as “fun stuff, fizzy stuff, orange stuff") and the Two Tonne Tasmania (“Tamar Valley pinot noir").

the exterior of Havilah Wine Bar — Havilah is a stylish, compact wine bar next to Princes Square Park.

You can peruse the glorious wine wall and pick from the thoughtfully selected collection of bottles from near and far. Some opt to take their wine home, but no doubt you’ll want to drink in and stick around, thanks to the cosy vibe, flattering lighting and the rustic meals, like mozzarella cabbage rolls and wallaby bourguignon with buttery polenta.

a table-top view of meals and wine at Havilah Wine Bar — Dine on hearty meals paired with a selection of vino.

Address: 178 Charles Street, Launceston

3. Barrel Collective

Devoted entirely to handcrafted Tasmanian spirits, beers and wine, think of the Barrel Collective as a place of endless invention with well-crafted cocktails, a huge range of Tasmanian gin and meticulous bartending techniques. Try a refreshing fig and honey sour, a warming hazelnut martini or a fruity Clover Club.

a bar interior with dark lighting at The Barrel Collective — The Barrel Collective feels more like an intimate bar than a pub with dim lighting.

Owner and operator Michael Bernhagen is friendly and knowledgeable about all things spirits and can perfectly recommend a tasting if you can’t make up your mind. Maybe it’s the flatteringly light, the seamless indie tunes playing at the perfect volume, the cosy wood-panelled room or the 80-plus different types of gin that lure you to stick around for just one more. Oh is that the time?

fruity cocktails at The Barrel Collective — Pull up a chair for cocktail o’clock at The Barrel Collective.

Address: 63A Brisbane Street, Launceston

4. Stillwater

Occupying a beautifully restored 180-year-old flour mill on the edge of the Cataract Gorge with dreamy views of the Tamar River, Stillwater has been a leading advocate for showcasing Tasmanian wine and local free-range and hormone-free produce for over two decades.

Dining on a perfectly paired meal and vino while watching boats glide by is at the heart of this waterfront gem, but dropping in for a glass of wine or a coffee is just as welcome.

a couple dining at Stillwater with views of the Tamar River — Dine with dreamy views of the Tamar River. (Image: Samuel Shelley)

Open for lunch and dinner, their award-winning wine list showcases the highly respected local tipples alongside some of the best sourced from around Australia and the globe. With warm service, crisp wine and those views, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to dine in Tasmania.

a spread of meat and oysters on the table at Stillwater in Launceston — Enjoy fresh oysters and world-class wines at Stillwater. (Image: Nat Mendham)

Address: 2 Bridge Road, Launceston

5. The Royal Oak Hotel

Punters have loved this pub adjacent to City Park since it began serving in the 1850s and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere else, anytime soon. Expect gorgeous antique timber tables and bentwood chairs in the bistro room, a swanky cocktail bar with board games upstairs, a bush-lined rooftop bar with a firepit and a pumping band room that is dedicated to supporting Aussie talent.

a chicken dish with a glass of wine on the table at The Royal Oak Hotel — Savour mains matched with local wines and spirits at The Royal Oak Hotel.

The food at the Oak is pub nosh but dialled up a notch, with the kitchen rolling out the most delicious steaks of utmost quality, succulent herb-crumbed chicken schnitzels with fresh lemon, and fresh market fish and oysters. This heartwarming pub also provides great meal options for kids, with the little ones able to order any of the mains (at a smaller size) for $15. The drink selection is equally impressive, with the Oak pouring quality local brews, wines and spirits. Non-alcohol drinkers needn’t worry, with a foolproof selection of 0% beers, ciders and cocktails also on offer.

an antique pub styled interior at The Royal Oak Hotel — The Royal Oak Hotel dates back to the 1850s.

Address: 14 Brisbane Street, Launceston

6. Saint John Craft Beer

Positioned proudly in a historic building on St John Street, Saint John Craft Beer Bar is home to great booze, great food and great vibes. At any one time, they offer 18 taps pouring the best Tasmanian and beyond craft beer and more than 100 bottled beers, craft ciders and spirits.

people drinking inside Saint John Craft Beer, Launceston — Seek out good company at Saint John Craft Beer. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Inside you’ll find comfy leather sofas, tall tables with stools and walls adorned with funky picture frames containing bottles. Hungry? Saint John serves up delicious share plates with a South American spin and yummy burgers, including the spicy chicken and the smoky eggplant burger with a corn chip crumb. Top tip: the crunchy fries are legendary.

a bartender tending to customers at Saint John Craft Beer, Launceston — Saint John Craft Beer serves up great booze, great food, and great vibes. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Address: 133 St John Street, Launceston

7. Three Steps on George

Once a school gymnasium, this gorgeous building on George Street has been lovingly restored and the walls adorned with original photos of former students and sporting teams.

cocktails glasses by the fireplace at Three Steps on George pub in Launceston — Sip cocktails by the cosy log fire.

Well renowned in Launnie for its inviting atmosphere, friendly service and cosy log fire, Three Steps on George dishes up some exceptional pub food. Kick off your meal with crusty warm cobb loaf straight from the oven and follow it up with baked Tasmanian salmon or the delicious slow cooked lamb shoulder. Make room for the sticky date pudding – a thick, unfussy slab of spongy fruit pudding, wallowing in a pool of butterscotch and crowned with an orb of ice cream.

a close-up shot of a cocktail glass by the log fire at hree Steps on George pub in Launceston — Three Steps on George is renowned for its inviting atmosphere.

Address: 24 George Street, Launceston

8. Bar Two [TEMPORARILY CLOSED]

The bar’s name – an abbreviation of Tasmanian wines only – gives punters a clue as to what might be inside this cool little bar just up from the mall on Brisbane Street. Venture inside and you’ll find an intimate space filled to the brim with top shelf Tassie wines, beers, whiskies and gins and delicious bites, like fresh oysters and cheese tasting plates.

the bright lit signage of Bar Two in Launceston — Bar Two is an unmissable little bar just up from the mall on Brisbane Street.

Pouring six nights a week, wine lovers can either pull up a stool at the bar and chat away with the friendly bartender or head outside to the larger tables, which have umbrellas for the summer sun and toasty heaters for those chilly Launceston winter nights.

wines and spirits on display at Bar Two, Launceston — Pick from an array of wines and spirits on display.

Address: 47A Brisbane Street

9. Tandy’s Alehouse

If you’re looking for a top-notch beer venue, with reasonable prices and stellar staff make a beeline for Tandy’s near the city centre. With its huge range of ales and ciders, you can easily spend an afternoon or evening enjoying this gem of a bar.

Grab a table in one of the comfy booths, near the fire or outside and challenge your mates to uno cards or a round of Jenga. While Tandy’s doesn’t serve food you won’t go hungry – the alehouse has partnered with a nearby restaurant, Curry Club, to allow patrons to bring in a fabulous beef madras, pepper lamb or chicken korma to be enjoyed at the bar.

Address: 100 Elizabeth Street, Launceston

10. Alchemy Bar & Restaurant

Alchemy offers a charming vibe and a large space filled with wooden tables, comfy leather seats, cosy corners and a beautiful outdoor seating area. This welcoming pub features an innovative cocktail menu, a selection of fine wines and an array of craft beers.

a bartender serving drinks to her customers at Alchemy Bar & Restaurant — Order a drink from Alchemy’s innovative cocktail menu. (Image: Chris Crerar)

The restaurant takes you on a culinary journey through the best of Korean, Thai and modern Australian gastronomy. Standout dishes include sticky Asian beef, bao buns with Korean fried chicken and Tasmanian salmon with roasted chat potatoes, smashed mint peas and lemon mint yoghurt.

cocktail drinks at Alchemy Bar & Restaurant — Have a tipple at Alchemy Bar & Restaurant. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Address: 63 George Street, Launceston

11. Brady’s Tavern at Penny Royal

This handsome tree-lined pub at Penny Royal Adventure Park at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge combines adventure with relaxation and a well-curated selection of local wines, beers, ciders and spirits. Pull up a seat at one of the cosy round tables with green gingham tablecloths or head outside to the large wooden tables with bench seats. It’s atmospheric in winter and blissful in summer.

al fresco dining at Brady's Tavern, Penny Royal — Nab a seat on one of the wooden tables. (Image: Ryan Farrington/Sileo Media)

For the peckish, there’s parmis and pizzas that cover all tastes, from the regular Margherita with buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil to the fancy – confit duck leg with hoisin and spring onion.

pizza with wine at Brady's Tavern, Penny Royal — Pair your pizza with wine at Brady’s Tavern. (Image: Ryan Farrington/Sileo Media)

Address: 1 Bridge Road, Launceston

12. Reggie

At this watering hole in the heart of Launceston , you’ll find dancing and an extensive drink list that includes a range of craft beers, fine wines and signature cocktails, making it a go-to spot for fun seekers.

Pop in on a Wednesday for drag bingo or Thursdays for ‘vino and vinyl’ nights, where you’ll experience music and wine pairings. On Fridays, you can grab snacks from the food truck in the laneway while the cocktails are pouring, while on Saturdays the Reggie is the place to be for Saturday Night Fever dance-offs.

Address: 11 Kingsway, Launceston

13. Bar Urbane

If you’re looking for an upscale bar with elegant furnishings and top-notch food, cocktails and wine, Bar Urbane will tick your boxes. Come down to Seaport Boulevard for a moreish meal of seasonal snacks, wagyu striploin or meatball rigatoni, or drop in and nab a spot at the bar for a couple of wines.

people dining inside Bar Urbane, Launceston — Swing by Bar Urbane for a chilled evening filled with cocktails and wine.

Jazz fans should swing by on Saturdays for a chilled evening of live hass and delicious tastes. Bookings are highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

a hand holding a charcuterie board at Bar Urbane — Pair your cocktails with a savoury cheese and charcuterie board.

Address: 26 Seaport Boulevard, Launceston

14. Midnight Rambler

For fun honkytonk that will transport you to the American south, head to Midnight Rambler if you can find it. Hidden away in an alley on Earl Street, this speakeasy-style drinking joint has excellent libations, groovy tune and friendly staff.

a billiard pool table at Midnight Rambler, Launceston — Hunker down at the speakeasy-style Midnight Rambler bar hidden on Earl Street.

On a winter’s day or evening, this bar offers fantastic respite from the cold with its cosy surrounds, dark walls and retro furniture.

a look inside the dimly lit pub interior of Midnight Rambler in Launceston — The pub’s interior boasts a funky and retro vibe.

Address: Earl Street, Launceston

15. Bar Stelo

For a glass of Pinot Noir and a delicious dinner head to Bar Stelo , a classy Italian bar right in the heart of Launceston. It’s worth visiting for the décor alone, which includes a bar adorned with beautiful Italian marble tiles, a brass curved foot rail, locally crafted leather bench seats and Tasmanian oak and leather chairs.

dinner at Bar Stelo, Launceston — Head to Bar Stelo for a classy Italian dinner. (Image: Jesse Hunniford)

Stay for dinner and enjoy the likes of handmade pasta, gnocchi, burrata, sourdough focaccia and tiramisu.

a black and white photo of a bartender shaking up drinks at Bar Stelo — Join in the fun at Bar Stelo. (Image: Jesse Hunniford)

Address: 88a George St, Launceston

16. 88 George Street

Ideal for a romantic evening or a laid-back drink with friends, this upper-floor venue gives off Manhattan vibes as soon as you walk in. Cinco Passiones is an atmospheric lounge bar boasting a refined selection of Tasmanian whisky, sparkling wine, expertly crafted cocktails, coffee and even cigars.

Pair your drink with a plate of Tasmanian cheese while enjoying one of the city’s best views, and you’ll feel well taken care of.

Address: Level 2/47A Brisbane Street

Need somewhere to rest your head? Check out our list of the best Launceston accommodations.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .

16 of the best pubs in Launceston