Saturday, February 11, 2017

Little Footprints in City Park

It was Saturday on my first day in Launceston. As always, Saturday is the most happening day of the week in Australia. Many things always happen on Saturdays, such as weekend market. 

I was on my way to City Park when I found a farmers' market in Cimitiere Street car park, behind Holy Trinity Church. I always love weekend market, be it farmers' market or design market or any other market. Without doubt, I walked in.

It is a good farmers' market with many produces sold directly from the farmers. There are fruits, vegetables, breads, jams, juices, nuts, and many other things. There is a section selling foods too with designated chairs and tables. When I was there, there was someone with amazing voice doing his gig too.

Every Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Entering the market

The stores

Brownies
Vegetables
Music!

After I indulged myself in a box of fresh blackberries, I walked towards Tamar Street and reached City Park of Launceston. The City Park was established by Launceston Holticultural Society in 1820s as botanical garden. It was handed over to the Launceston City Council in 1863 as People's Park.

City Park features many magnificent shrubs and trees originated from England. Other than trees, shrubs and flowers, City Park features many other things such as monument, fountain, memorial, conservatory hall, pond, macaque monkey display, etc.

I enjoyed strolling in this park so much. There were so many things to see. I did not only watch the features of the park but also the people. The people here looked so laid back, nobody was in a rush. Everybody just enjoyed their life. Everything looked simpler but more colourful here.

City Park of Launceston at Tamar Street

So in love with the gate

All the mature trees
The pretty shrubs

The flower bed
How I love this view
Towards the centre of City Park
The monument of City Park
It looks fabulous from any angle

Macaque Monkey Exhibition

This exhibition is a gift from the sister of city of Launceston, Ikeda, in 1965

John Hart Conservatory

The interior of the exhibition hall

Flowers 

Giant chess

The pond

The memorial of Ronald Campbell Gunn, the man behind the establishment of City Park

Fountain

The people

There are 2 important buildings within the premise of City Park, which are City Park Radio Station and Albert Hall. City Park Radio Station is located just behind the main gate of City Park while Albert Hall is located at the intersection of Tamar Street and Cimitiere Street.

City Park Radio Station is a non-profit organization, owned and operated by Launceston Community Fm Group Inc. It was established in 1978 and moved to City Park Cottage in 1988. Until now, it is still operating here. A radio museum is also opened for public from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Albert Hall is a Victorian style structure that was operating as a convention hall since 1891. Covering 1300 square meters, Albert Hall was considered as the world 11th largest building when built. It was a significant heritage building of Launceston. Consisting two levels of halls and function rooms, Albert Hall can be booked for many functions such as weddings, meetings, exhibitions, etc.

City Park Radio Station in City Park Cottage

Albert Hall

Front view of Albert Hall

The grand entrance

Love is in the air,
Little Feet

The Beauty of Launceston

Launceston City is full of charms! I love strolling along the city and finding myself in the middle of parks and colonial buildings. With the weather that is way colder than Sydney, hopping from one junction to another is just pleasing.

Prince's Square
Prince's Square is a heritage park with Charles Street, Frederick Street, St. John Street and Elizabeth Street at four sides. It was used as public space since 1826 and went through many changes of usage since then. From the clay pit, brick field, rubbish dump, election site, etc. The establishment of the park was started in 1858 and it was officially opened in 1859.

The main icon of the park is Val d'Osne Fountain located at the centre of the park. The fountain was bought by the Municipal Council from Paris in 1859. However, there is a story about how the fountain was never intended for Launceston in Tasmania. Due to the shared name of Launceston in Tasmania and in England, the fountain was shipped to the wrong place. Due to high shipping cost, it was never shipped back.

Prince's Square Entrance from Charles Street

Trees and flowers

Trees and trees

Val d'Osne Fountain
With the pine trees at the background

Elizabeth Street Entrance
View to Frederick Street: City Baptist Church and Milton Hall
Chalmer Presbyterian Church and City Baptist Church at Frederick Street

Launceston City Centre
Launceston City Centre is the main shopping district in Launceston. The main streets are St. John Street, Paterson Street and Brisbane Street. The area is full of old buildings that turned into shops, department stores, cafes and restaurants. Smaller shopping precinct can be found within the city centre such as Brisbane Street Mall, York Town Square and Old Brisbane Arcade. Basically everything can be found in the shopping area, from local product to international branded shops.

The first glimpse of the city centre

The shops

One of the shopping lane

Brisbane Street "The Mall"

A quiet Saturday morning

Playing/relaxing/sun-tanning corner

Old Brisbane Arcade

The brick building of Old Brisbane Arcade

Yorktown Square

Into small shopping precinct at Paterson Lane
The shops

Launceston General Post Office
Launceston General Post Office is located at East Launceston at the junction of Cameron Street and St. John Street, besides Visitor Information Centre. The building was designed by Tasmanian government architect W. Eldridge. The construction was completed in 1889. In 1890, architect Corrie and North undertook alteration to the original design, including the construction of the corner tower. However, the building was not well-received by the people of Launceston due to various reasons, such as the pattern and colour as well as the tower without the clock. A clock was then installed in 1909.

The first postal service in Launceston was recorded back in 1820s. The postal service was conducted from private houses in the city. Telegraph services was started in 1856 and mail train to and from Hobart was established in 1877.

Launceston General Post Office

The clock tower in commemoration to the first centenary of  City of Launceston

The main door to the post office

The clock tower, viewed from Civic Square

Launceston Town Hall & Civic Square
The design and construction of Launceston Town Hall was started in 1864 and completed in 1867. It was designed in Victorian style with the usage of ground floor as Council chamber and municipal offices and upper floor as concert hall and meeting room. Until now, it has undergone many alterations and renovations. The last renovation was held in 2010.

Civic Square is located just behind Launceston Town Hall. It is a pedestrian lane with a small park and buildings. Civic Square connects St. John Street and Charles Street.

Launceston Town Hall and Civic Square by the side

Launceston Town Hall, viewed from St. John Street

Civic Square

Are they foxes?

A small coffee truck in the middle of Civic Square

Civic Square Surgery

Tasmania Service Centre

Macquarie House
Charles Street
North Esk River
North Esk River is one of the tributaries of Tamar River at the north of Launceston City Centre. Many activities can be done in this river, including fishing. Launceston beer producer, Boags, draws the water from the tributary river of North Esk River. To cross over from city centre to Inveresk, one can use the bridge along Tamar Street.

North Esk River towards the west

The footpath

North Esk River towards the east
Churches in Launceston
There are many many many churches in Launceston. The majority of the religions in Launceston are Christian. 26% of the people of Launceston are Anglican and 16% are Roman Catholic, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2011. 

There are many churches in Launceston that catch my eyes. All of them have different beauty and charm but are equally beautiful.

Church of Apostles

Holy Trinity Church

St. Andrew Church

Pilgrim Uniting Church

There are still many many many many beautiful things to explore in Launceston.

Love is in the air,
Little Feet