Prince's Sq once hosted military drills, public hangings and rowdy political meetings. These days, it's a lovely place to relax. There's a bronze fountain that was purchased at the 1855 Paris Exhibition and a statue of top-hatted Dr William Russ Pugh, the first surgeon in the southern hemisphere to use general anaesthetic.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Launceston attractions

1. Launceston Synagogue

0.08 MILES

Built 1844 in unusual Egyptian revival style, Launceston's synagogue is the second-oldest in Australia (…though Ramses II would be unimpressed by its…

2. Holyman House

0.31 MILES

Built in 1936, this building is a fine example of interwar architecture. Four levels of art deco detailing surround sundry private offices. The future…

3. Henty House

0.35 MILES

Built in 1983 this ziggurat-shaped brutalist building was the subject of a heated conservation battle in 2012. Should it be heritage listed or demolished?…

4. Town Hall

0.38 MILES

Erected in 1864 and featuring soaring neoclassical columns. 'Progress with Prudence' says the coat of arms – duck inside to the council offices on…

5. Queen Victoria Art Gallery

0.39 MILES

Colonial paintings, including works by John Glover, are the pride of the collection at this art gallery in a meticulously restored 19th-century building…

6. Macquarie House

0.4 MILES

This 1830 warehouse is one of the city's oldest buildings. Plans have been approved by Launceston city council to restore it and house an innovation hub…

7. Design Tasmania

0.46 MILES

This impressive design centre on the fringe of City Park incorporates an old church hall that now houses a shop specialising in handmade Tasmanian crafts,…

8. Royal Park

0.51 MILES

A rambling riverside park, perfect for a bike ride or a stroll.