Northern city boasts an English style

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 30

Northern city boasts an English style

Launceston, Tasmania's “Garden City,” is set amid gentle hills, streams, hedgerows, stone churches and stately mansions. The style is distinctly English and the surrounding lush countryside is one of its major attractions. The city itself is Tasmania's second largest, and, like Hobart, is historic. Founded in 1805, it acquired a colourful legend six years later when a visiting brig unloaded a cargo of liquor and a uniformed gentleman who proclaimed himself “King of Launceston.” He was so convincing that the town commandant submitted to the* stranger’s “royal command” and allowed himself and his officers to be. jailed, placed on trial, and sentenced to death. Only the timely arrival. of one of the commandant’s more sober officers saved the endangered men. The “royal” personage who was returned in chains to the brig, was in fact the son of a Dublin tobacconist who had obtained the cargo of liquor on credit. He was returned to London where he vanished into obscurity. Launceston remains a hospitable town today. Its attractions include a spacious City Park (featuring a small zoo and

conservatory as well as beautiful gardens), craft markets, theatres, restaurants, museum and art gallery, and river cruises. Unique to Launceston are the Cataract Gorge, a recreation and beauty spot spanned by a chairlift believed to contain the longest central span in the world, the Penny Royal Gunpowder Mills (see story below), and the old Umbrella Shop, the last genuine period shop in Tasmania, where a selection of umbrellas used during the last 100 years is on display. Many interesting side-trips are available. For instance, only 13 km to. the west is Hadspen, a charming village dating back to the 1820 s, with a number of well-maintained Georgian buildings. The most famous of all the nineteenth century mansions is Entally House, a gracious home built by the eldest son of a former convict girl who had been transported for horse-stealing at the age of 13. After working as a nursemaid she married a sub-lieutenant she had met on the voyage to Australia and the two prospered as business partners. In fact, the former convict became legendary in the colony — rich, religious, and respected.