Major city · Australia
George Town
Give George Town one night, or visit as a half-day from Launceston: the historic centre and Low Head are 7 km (4.3 mi) apart and both are small.Give George Town one night, or visit as a half-day from Launceston: the historic centre and Low Head are 4.3 mi (7 km) apart and both are small.
George Town sits on the east bank of the Tamar, 40 minutes north of Launceston, and calls itself Australia's third-oldest settlement. The draw is the Low Head lighthouse and pilot station, not the town itself. Most travellers see it as a stop on the Tamar Valley loop rather than a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold and wet)
- Airports
- LST · DPO
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for George Town000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about George Town, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime country town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLST Launceston Airport (About 1 h by car via the East Tamar Highway; no direct bus to George Town.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the town centre and Low Head are 7 km (4.3 mi) apart.A car is the practical choice: the town centre and Low Head are 4.3 mi (7 km) apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (pilot station, Bass and Flinders)checkA$5–15 (≈ US$4–10)
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedCottage or motel double room, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedCottage or motel double room, a night, per roomA$260 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$250 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LST Launceston Airport (About 1 h by car via the East Tamar Highway; no direct bus to George Town.) · DPO Devonport Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car, crossing the Batman Bridge.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
George Town: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the town centre and Low Head are 7 km apart. A shared bicycle path links the two, and a local bus runs, but services are limited and worth checking ahead.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Car via the East Tamar Highway (A8)
Cataract Gorge, the Tamar Valley and the airport are all reached from here.
Beauty Point
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via the Batman Bridge and the West Tamar
Seahorse and platypus centre; pairs well with a Low Head morning.
Door to door: About 2 h
Car via the Tasman Highway
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep on the east coast.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
George Town centre
Walkable to the Watch House and Bass and Flinders Centre; a handful of motels and cottages.
Low Head
7 km (4.3 mi) north of town; the pilot station cottages put you beside the lighthouse and the penguin colony.4.3 mi (7 km) north of town; the pilot station cottages put you beside the lighthouse and the penguin colony.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$140–220 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cottage or motel double room1 × 1 night × A$150 | A$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| Hire car, one day1 × A$90 · check | A$90 |
| Fuel, Launceston return1 × A$30 · check | A$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$62 |
| Trip total≈ A$341 per person per day, bed included | A$682≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and hire car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Counter meal (pub or café) | A$18–30 (≈ US$12–20) |
| Museum entry (pilot station, Bass and Flinders)check | A$5–15 (≈ US$4–10) |
| Fuel, per litrecheck | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between the town centre and Low Head are longer than they look; do not plan to walk both in one afternoon.
- Fuel and food options thin out after dark; fill up in Launceston or George Town before evening.
- Penguin viewing at Low Head is seasonal and low-light: keep your distance and use no white light.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
George TownGeorge Town
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No consulates in George Town; the nearest are in Hobart, and embassies are in Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Launceston → George Town, by car: about 40 min, 45 km (28 mi) via the East Tamar Highwayabout 40 min, 28 mi (45 km) via the East Tamar Highway
- George Town → Low Head: 7 km (4.3 mi), about 10 min by car or a shared bicycle path4.3 mi (7 km), about 10 min by car or a shared bicycle path
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the Low Head lighthouse from here? — Where is the lighthouse?
- Card okay? — Can I pay by card?
Small town: book beds and hire cars ahead in summer and over Easter.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for George Town. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cold and wet) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LST: last hire-car desk times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters for the George Town centre and Low Head, with a car leg between them.
- Place pages with verified opening times for the Watch House, Bass and Flinders Centre and the pilot station museum.
- Penguin-viewing fixture at Low Head with seasonal windows and light rules.
Sources
- officialTourism Tasmania
- officialLow Head Pilot Station
- officialBass and Flinders Centre
- secondaryWikivoyage: George Town (Tasmania), revision 4627088 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about George Town
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