Flights to Launceston, Tasmania

Launceston is northern Tasmania's main city, set where the North Esk and South Esk rivers meet to form the broad Tamar estuary. It is small enough to walk around, with Victorian streetscapes, parks and a dramatic gorge only minutes from the centre. Food lovers come for the Tamar Valley's cool-climate produce, and road-trippers use the city as a launch pad for Cradle Mountain and the east coast. Most travellers from Singapore reach it by booking flights to Launceston through one of Australia's mainland cities.

About Launceston Airport (LST)

Location

Launceston Airport sits at Western Junction, south of the city, surrounded by farmland. The drive into central Launceston is straightforward, and the airport's position also makes it convenient for heading south towards the Midlands or east towards the coast.

Terminals

The airport has one passenger terminal for all its domestic flights. It is easy to navigate, with check-in, security and a small selection of cafes close together. Its modest size means getting from the plane to your car or transfer rarely takes long.

Getting to and from the airport

Airport shuttle services run between the terminal and the city centre. Taxis and rideshare are available outside arrivals, and rental car desks sit inside the terminal. A car is the most useful option if you want to explore the Tamar Valley wineries, the lavender farms or the national parks at your own pace.

Direct and connecting flights to Launceston

There are no nonstop flights from Singapore to Launceston, so the usual plan is to fly into Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane and connect on a domestic flight to Tasmania. Melbourne generally offers the widest choice of onward departures. On Traveloka, a single search from Singapore to LST shows connecting itineraries with layover times, and the direct filter will reveal the nonstop domestic sectors if you are already in Australia.

If you are building a wider Tasmania trip, compare flying into Launceston with flying into Hobart. Many visitors land in one city and leave from the other, driving the island in between. Check the entry requirements for your passport before travelling to Australia, and allow time for immigration and customs at your first Australian airport before the domestic connection.

When to fly to Launceston

Launceston has four distinct seasons, the reverse of what northern-hemisphere calendars suggest. Summer, from December to February, brings long, mild days and is the busiest time for festivals and outdoor dining. Autumn paints the city's parks and the Tamar Valley vineyards in gold and red. Winter, June to August, is cold and crisp, often with frosty mornings, while spring brings blossom and fresh green hills.

For Singapore families, the December school holidays line up with the Tasmanian summer and lavender season, so book early. The June holidays fall in winter, a good time for cosy fireside stays, wine tastings and fewer crowds. Air fares to Launceston also rise around Australian school holidays and long weekends, so it pays to watch the fare chart on this page.

Popular places in Launceston

Cataract Gorge Reserve

A short walk from the city centre, the gorge has walking tracks, a swimming basin, a suspension bridge and a chairlift that glides across the water. Peacocks wander the lawns at First Basin, and the views are superb at any time of year.

Tamar Valley wine route

The valley north of the city is one of Tasmania's best-known wine regions, known especially for sparkling wine and pinot noir. Cellar doors line both banks of the river and often serve local cheese and produce platters.

Lavender farms of the north-east

North-east of Launceston, lavender fields turn purple in the height of summer, drawing photographers and families. The farms usually sell lavender products and treats all year.

City Park and the heritage centre

Launceston's City Park is a leafy Victorian garden with a conservatory and a well-loved enclosure of Japanese macaques. Around it, the city centre's heritage buildings, arcades and quiet laneways reward a slow stroll.

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Spread over two sites, the museum covers Tasmanian natural history, Aboriginal culture, colonial art and a planetarium. It is a good rainy-day plan and free to enter.

Where to stay in Launceston

The city centre is compact and walkable, with restaurants, shops and parks close together, making it the simplest base for a short stay. Riverside precincts near the Seaport offer water views and evening dining. Trevallyn, on the hill above the gorge, is quieter and close to the walking tracks. If wine is the focus, consider the Tamar Valley itself, where farm stays and cottages sit among the vineyards, a short drive from town.

Food to try in Launceston

Tasmanian scallop pie

A curried scallop pie is a Tasmanian bakery classic, with plump scallops in a creamy sauce under flaky pastry. Many bakeries in Launceston serve it for a hearty lunch.

Tasmanian salmon

Salmon farmed in Tasmania's cold waters appears on menus everywhere, from smoked salmon at breakfast to crisp-skinned fillets at dinner.

Local cheese

Northern Tasmania's dairy country produces excellent cheddars, bries and washed-rind cheeses. Look for tasting plates at markets and cellar doors around the city.

Leatherwood honey

Made from the flowers of a tree that grows in Tasmania's wet forests, leatherwood honey has a rich, spicy flavour. Try it drizzled on toast or pancakes, or take a jar home.

Launceston is a relaxed, easy entry to Tasmania's north. Compare flight deals to Launceston on Traveloka, choose the connection that suits you and keep your trip details together with instant e-tickets.