Launceston presented a first impression quite unlike what I imagined. I thought we were still at the suburbs when the airport bus dropped us off at the Batman Fawkner. I then realized that large swathes of residential areas surrounded the City of Launceston, seamlessly blended into the center of its city life. At first glance Launceston was a large town rather than a city. There was no high-rise as far as I could observe. At the time I could not tell if it was disappointing, or if I was simply taking some time to correct my impressions. But by the night hour, when I have done the heritage walk, I came to really adore its uniqueness.
I would not say that Launceston was buzzling but it was certainly lively. We found the people there to be very nice and friendly. My aunt asked many silly questions. Clearly she had done no research and did not care to find out about mine. Yet the people here had the world’s patience in explaining things to us. At the Tourist Information Center we obtained a map with a three-color-coded system: red, orange and blue routes. The Batman Fawkner Inn was on the orange route.
Tasmania was probably best known for two things: its beer and its apples. Tasmania’s local beers are well-known in all of Australia, and some of the product lines are available only in Tasmania. There are two major rivals, James Boag in Launceston and Cascade in Hobart. I could not wait to see the James Boag (pronounced BALG) Beer Lovers’ Center.
The quaint Boag and Son brewery building on William Street drew our attention, but the Beer Lovers’ Center across the street is where visitors could go in during business hours for a visit. It would take a reservation to tour the brewery itself. The Beer Lover Center houses a small museum, showing James Boag’s marketing partnership with photographer Helmet Newton. Helmet Newton took provocative photographs, often featuring the tensions of sexuality, to market James Boag beer. These series of black and white stills inspired a contemporary advertising campaign titled “Who Is James Boag?”
With beautiful Victorian Era interior, the building preserved the spirit of its times in 1881. I stopped at the bar for a chat with the bartender there. Beer was always a theoretical matter for me. In view of the fact that there was more walking to do in town, I ordered coffee. My aunt, who did no research, came up with a brilliant idea, “can you introduce us to a beer that is not bitter?” He then presented James Boag’s XXX ALE.
The James Boag’s XXX ALE is brewed and sold exclusively in Tasmania. According to the brochure, “the longest continually brewed beer at Boag’s Brewery is characterized by a light golden colour and a hint of toffee.” My aunt and I shared one bottle, short and sweet.
We were very good and finished both the red and orange routes on our tourist map. These are the sights and scenes we saw on our way to supper.
Supper was a far walk away at Pasta Merchant. On our way we passed by the Prince’s Square, itself a heritage park. At Pasta Merchant we ordered $10 and yummy pasta, deli-styled. There was also a wide selection of desserts as well.
All good and well, our first day in Launceston, Tasmania.
