Launceston Long Weekend

[Lynda2475]

Got back to the hotel about 6pm, hot shower required!



I was told that not much opens on a Monday night in Launceston and frankly was a bit stiff from all the walking, so opted to have dinner at the Grain of Silos restaurant onsite.

Was able to use Accor+ discount and my second drinks voucher for another Rose, so 3 courses and some sparkling water set me back just under $80.

Entree = Crayfish (aka lobster) roll



Main = steak with oyster mushrooms, seeded mustard and red wine jus plus some crispy potatoes (far too many for one person)




Dessert was a chocolate cigar which didnt photograph well at all, but was nice. A crispy pastry shell filled with dark chocolate mouse, cherries and coffee flavoured mascarpone



Then a really good nights sleep, noting there was again a turn down service.

 

[Lynda2475]

Tuesday morning I had a lazy start then packed up my room.

The couple I met on wine tour on Sunday had made a breakfast recommendation so I walked about 20 minutes to Bread & Butter Bread + Butter - Launceston Bakery + Cafe and I was not disappointed.

It is a bakery that also makes its own butter. I felt the croissants were just as good as Lune in Melbourne.

I opted for the French Brioche toast with maple syrup, espresso butter and bacon and it was awesome; the coffee was good too. Don't bother with breakfast anywhere else in Launceston go here!



Apart from a few cafes (and some pub because it was Anzac day) not much was open early.

I took a walk to city park to visit the Japanese Macaques



Then back to hotel, to collect bags, check-out, farewell Archie and Uber to LST.

 

[Lynda2475]

With no traffic and an uber driver that thought he was a race car driver got to the airport 2hrs and 10 mins before departure; only to discover that check-in/bag drop only opens 2 hours before departure and that there is no priority lane.

Lined up with the status-less; dropped my bag and headed through security only to be perplexed as to where the QPub was.

Quick Google search told me it was pre-security, so I exited the airport had to go outside to get back into check-in area and still couldn't see it. Turns out Qantas staffer was standing in front of the door (and tiny sign) when I asked and he opened the door and let me in. He didn't ask to see/scan boarding pass.

I soon found out why.

LST QPub is about 40% of the size of the HBA QPub, and doesn't really have anything to offer. There is a fridge with beers, still wine (no bubbles), soft drink and water. No barista coffee, not even a nespresso, just tea bags and instant coffee. No sandwich press or ingredients to make a sandwich. Just pretzels, beige biscuits and those little pre-packaged lemon/chocolate/yoghurt slices you sometimes get as a welcome gift at lower end Accor hotels.

People would come in gran a drink from the fridge and leave, as there was only setting for maybe 15 and no real food. Do not bother with a visit and make sure you eat before you head to the airport.

After a sparkling water I left the QPub, paid for a coffee at the cafe and then it was time for boarding. No priority boarding, just a made rush when it opened.

6C with a shadow again in 6A. Announcement again about no IFE/Q=Streaming (think it was the same plane).

Bye Bye Lonnie



In-flight snack was 4 tiny vegetable samosas and a Lindor ball (choice for 4 flavours). As the flight was not full, the FAs offered a second box of samosas, which I accepted.

Otherwise uneventful flight; home form airport within 10 minutes thanks to the new tunnel.

It was a lovely weekend and was very fortunate to have spectacular weather.

 

[RooFlyer]

We stopped for the driver to collect our national park entry tickets

Did you go into the Visitor's Centre? Its fairly new but with little for the visitor inside except a huge ticket hall. Really annoying when you know money could have been better spent elsewhere in the park, or other National Parks.

They are planning a low-level cable way to replace the shuttle bus/cars to Dove Lake, which will be an improvement.

And you were really lucky, not just with the weather but to have the fa_us turning perfectly.

 

[Lynda2475]

Did you go into the Visitor's Centre?

Yeah went inside but there was only a small gift shop and ticket hall, so pretty much walked straight back out and soaked up some sunshine instead.

 

[Denali]

We went to Cradle for Christmas and one day hubby and his private guide (ie, paid walker to get him back safely) came across someone who was having an emotional meltdown/being unreasonable and dehydrated as it was very usually hot. The guide did say they might have to turn back as he was obligated to assist but the group had their own guide so they helped the person back.

 

[parsonstrish]

Great TR & photo, many thanks.

 

[drron]

Many lovely memories of Lonnie. I do miss it after working 3 years there.

 

[ols]

Great stuff.
No aurora photography!
There was a beauty there on the 24th

 

[Lynda2475]

Great stuff.
No aurora photography!
There was a beauty there on the 24th

Probably appeared whilst i was sleeping. But since i only had my phone and not an SLR doubtful i would have been able to capture it.

 

[ols]

Probably appeared whilst i was sleeping. But since i only had my phone and not an SLR doubtful i would have been able to capture it.

Phone is ok but better with cheap tripod.
This is what happened.

'I've never seen so much colour': Tasmanians wake to early morning aurora visible with naked eye

Early risers in Tasmania started the work week with a spectacular view, with some seasoned aurora watchers calling it the best display they have ever seen.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Lynda2475]

As suspected those sightings were further south in Hobart. I was up at 5:30am on 24th, saw nothing out my window, although didnt venture outside until 6:45.

 

[jakeseven7]

Lovely trip report thank you! Love Lonny.

PS LST doesn’t have a Qantas Club, it’s a designated Regional Lounge. So that leaves HBA as the worst Qantas Club in Tasmania (some would say Australia!).