Launceston, Tasmania

Launceston is a small city in the north of Tasmania, Australia, population of approximately 98,000, located at the juncture of the North Esk, South Esk, and Tamar rivers. Like many Australian cities and towns, it was named after a town in the United Kingdom—in this case, Launceston, Cornwall. (Note, however, that while the English Launceston is pronounced {{IPA|/?l??ns(t)?n/}} or {{IPA|/?l??ns(t)?n/}}, the Australian one is pronounced {{IPA|/?l?ns?st?n/}}.)

Culture, sport, notable achievements

Launceston was the home of several firsts:

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• first use of anaesthetic in Southern Hemisphere
• first Australian city to have underground sewers
• first Australian city to be lit by hydro-electricity (see Duck Reach Power Plant)
• longest single span chairlift in the world at The Gorge
• first telephone call in Australia
• first laminated tennis racket
• first use of two way radios in taxis
• first shopping mall in Australia
• first breeding of seahorses in captivity, in the world

There is heated (but friendly) rivalry between residents of Launceston and the southern capital Hobart. The AFL games mentioned above are an example ? Hobart residents are disappointed about missing out ? while Hobart hosts all international cricket games played in the state at the Bellerive Oval.

Related Topics:
Hobart - AFL - Bellerive Oval

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Launceston produced two of Australia's top cricket batsmen in recent years: David Boon and Ricky Ponting. Notable Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe originally hailed from Launceston.

Related Topics:
Cricket - David Boon - Ricky Ponting - Peter Sculthorpe

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Launceston was recently the home of the Gone South music festival.

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