LAUNCESTON What a fantastic city. These people have got it right. Growth plus heritage care. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart. With a population (greater urban and statistical sub division) of 106,153, Launceston is the ninth largest non-capital city in Australia. The first white visitors did not arrive until 1798, when George Bass and Matthew Flinders were sent to explore the possibility that there was a strait between Australia and Van Diemen's Land The first significant colonial settlement in the region dates from 1804, when the commandant of the British garrison Lt. Col. William Paterson, and his men set up a camp where George Town now stands. Settled by Europeans in March 1806, Launceston is one of Australia's oldest cities and is home to many historic buildings. Like many Australian places, it was named after a town in the United Kingdom – in this case, Launceston, Cornwall. Launceston has also been home to several firsts such as the first use of anaesthetic in the Southern Hemisphere, the first Australian city to have underground sewers and the first Australian city to be lit by hydroelectricity. Small hotels and breweries began to emerge in the 1820s, before larger, more "substantial" hotels were built in the 1830s including and plus these. The congregational churches are nearly cathedrals and all date mid 80’s construction The Catholic is; Heritage,  with museums And buildings is in good care Then there is the gorge on its doorstep And the fantastic pubs and hotels And theaters And last but not least the War memorials and monuments. And sport Allow days if not a week or more when visiting Heritage diary