By Rama Gaind.
Peppers Seaport Hotel towers over the marina and the boardwalk in Launceston, Tasmania. Photo: Rama Gaind
It’s certainly peculiar how we hold on to some segments from our past while we await our future. That’s specially been the case this last year as a result of COVID-19.
State borders opening and closing, sometimes with a few hours notice means hesitancy when it comes to making bookings. We’ve been lucky in many respects as Australia is still the safe and remarkable destination it’s always been.
There are times when “it feels good to be lost in the right direction”. Be curious, have adventures and feel captivated because “we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us”.
It was going to be a return visit to Launceston, Tasmania, for another anniversary celebration that did not happen in 2021 because the Peppers Seaport Hotel is a quarantine hotel this year.
The next best thing is to reminiscence. There’s something calming about the cool and tranquil waterfront atmosphere surrounding the Peppers Seaport Hotel. There’s a lot to entertain and amaze in Tamania’s second largest city, in the beautiful Tamar Valley. In a vibrant district of Launceston, overlooking the wharf strip and marina, Peppers puts you right amongst the action. It is the centrepiece of the district. Located on Seaport dock, there are spectacular city and water views from the private balcony in your room.
The hotel sits in the lively Seaport Precinct in the heart of Launceston, where the North and South Esk Rivers meet. This stylish and contemporary accommodation is designed in the shape of a ship, giving it a distinct nautical ambience.
Take a stroll along the Seaport dock and take in the relaxed waterfront atmosphere.
It’s the conversion of an old shipyard and dry-dock into one of Launceston’s premiere waterfront public spaces. The development comprises the four-storey hotel that was designed to sit over the existing boat-shaped dry-dock, now the basement of the hotel and a reclaimed section of waterfront land (old shipyard) that has been transformed into a pedestrian boardwalk, marina cafes, alfresco dining and is home to several apartments and private residences each with waterfront views.
Action precinct
It was our choice for a home-away-from-home, enjoying some of the best dining options the city had to offer along the waterfront. Best of all, you can take advantage of the boardwalk where you’ll find a variety of cafe, bistro and bar settings.
Seaport is a hive of activity. The pace is steady, but the tempo ramps up over the weekend. Watching the sunrise while in a canoe on the Tamar River, cyclists riding in for a mid-morning coffee and joggers keeping active are just some of the activities that are dominant around you. Scenic waterfront and stunning vistas abound.
Amazing scenery from the luxury marina view suite at Peppers Seaport Hotel, in Launceston. Photo: Rama Gaind
Take the time out to enjoy breakfast treats at the Cube Café. Another dining delight was the Levee Food Co. Restaurant where we were taken with the ‘Mary had a Feta Lamb’ pizza, crispy chips and finished by tasty scoops of their specialty gelato. If contemporary is your meal choice, then head for the Mud Cake Restaurant.
Rightly billed as a stylish waterfront apartment and lifestyle development situated at the head of the Tamar, Seaport and Peppers are a haven that must be experienced. Only after you’ve stayed there, will you believe it!
Nestled just 500 metres from the Launceston CBD, Seaport is a protected space along the waterfront that offers a magnificent panorama coupled with a surprising, but welcome feeling of serenity. Peppers is close to some attractions. Cataract Gorge Reserve (locally known as the Gorge) is a slice of wilderness, just a short walk from the centre of Launceston. It is famous for panoramic views, walking trails, sculpted gardens and a chairlift.
The gorge is a natural water basin surrounded by towering cliffs, native bushland, beautiful gardens, scenic walking trails and wildlife. The numerous walking trails also provide great views of the surrounding forested land, dramatic cliffs and the river below.
Tour highlights
The hotel is located just five minutes from the city centre, and walking the distance is refreshing. Not too far away is the Royal Park, originally the site of a military barracks. It was developed as parkland in the late 1800s and officially named Royal Park in 1912. It contains Launceston’s Cenotaph and is a very popular social and tourist destination.
Spectacular: a bird’s-eye-view across the Tamar River of the Peppers Seaport Hotel, in Launceston, Tasmania. Photo: Rama Gaind
Royal Park and Kings Park are traditional parks with a river edge boardwalk connecting the Cataract Gorge Reserve to the Inveresk Precinct, taking in Ritchie’s Mill, Home Point and Seaport.
Gain fascinating insight into the cultural heritage. The Queen Victoria Museum, in a 19th-century railway workshop, has exhibitions on Tasmanian history. Its sister Art Gallery lies across the river, by the sprawling Royal Park. The vineyards of the Tamar Valley stretch northwest along the Tamar River.
As Tasmania’s only theme park, Penny Royal Adventure Park, is a must for families, thrill-seekers and culture enthusiasts alike. Rugged site with cliff walks, rock climbing, zip-lining, boat rides, panning for gold and ghost tours.
The area features the Tamar River, mature trees, multi-use trails, skate park and boat ramp, playground and barbecue facilities. River cruises are a must as are tours to Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park and Port Arthur. You can also indulge in a Tamar Valley Winery Tour or visit Hollybank Treetop Adventure Park.
Seaport is where the hive of activity is overwhelming, yet contagious. Here, too, silence is golden.
It looks like this year again, we will not be going some place where we’ve never been before. This perceptive quote says it all from author Vera Jane Cook, from Lies a River Deep: “Nobody could understand the past except the people from it”.
DETAILS BOX
Launceston Seaport Precinct
Peppers Seaport Hotel
Launceston, Tasmania 7250
W: www.peppers.com.au/seaport/
