Launceston

Europeans originally settled at the mouth of the Tamar River at George Town in 1804; however moved to the present site of Launceston in 1805. As such, it is Australia's third oldest city (after Sydney and the state capital, Hobart) and has a lot of historical buildings and sights.

Launceston was once the home of John Batman (see History of Melbourne). From Launceston, Batman planned and designed the city of Melbourne, and in 1834 he sailed with John Pascoe Fawkner across Bass Strait to settle at Port Phillip, Victoria. Note: The spelling of John Batman's name is Bateman in some literature.