Grab your mates, pack your gear and head south across Bass Strait. Rainforest, wild coastlines, world-class food and wine, and four days in the Paddock. You won’t find that combo anywhere else.
We’ve done the planning for you: getting here, getting around, where to stay and what to do once you land. All that’s left is to grab your tix and have the time of your life.
Fly straight into Launceston Airport (LST), the closest airport to the Paddock, about 20 to 25 minutes away. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly direct from most mainland capitals.
Once you land, you can:
Turning it into a lap of the island? Fly into Hobart (nipaluna), pick up a campervan and road-trip north. The Paddock is about two and a half hours up the Midland Highway, with plenty of good stops on the way (see ‘Make a trip of it’).
Bring the car, the camping gear and the whole crew on the Spirit of Tasmania, sailing between Geelong and Devonport. Day and overnight sailings run most days, and once you dock you’re about an hour’s drive from the Paddock.
Don’t forget your Campground Vehicle Pass!
Camping is the best way to do the Paddock. Live, breathe and dance with your crew, a short stroll from the stages. Bring your tent, van or camper, make friends with the neighbours and wake up to sunrise views. Showers, toilets, water stations and good times included.
Flying in and can’t fit a tent in your luggage? Book a spot in Pre-Pitch Tents (2 or 4 people) or go glamping in a furnished bell tent, Classic, Deluxe or Presidential. It’s all set up and waiting, so you can drop your bag and get straight to the party.
Camping not your thing? No judgement. There are plenty of comfy spots nearby:
Pair it with a non-camping ticket and the CBD bus, and you’ve got a bed, a shower and the Paddock all in one day.
Tip: book early. Beds fill fast when the Paddock is calling.
Tucked into Charles Street, Havilah is a wine bar, bottle shop and cellar door in one, pouring Tasmanian, Australian and international drops alongside a produce-driven menu of small plates. It’s also home to winemaker Ricky Evans’ Havilah and Two Tonne Tasmania wines, so it’s the place to taste what this corner of the island does best.
The perfect first stop when you land, or a post-Paddock wind-down.
178 Charles Street, Launceston
Launceston’s only independent record store is a tiny Brisbane Street shop packed floor to ceiling with new and second-hand vinyl, CDs and music merch. Dig through the crates for records from the ’27 lineup before you head out to the Paddock, and say g’day to the crew behind the counter.
70b Brisbane Street, Launceston
Launnie’s backyard is a river gorge right on the edge of the city. Ride the chairlift (it has the longest single span of any chairlift in the world), cool off in the First Basin pool, or stretch your legs on the walk to Duck Reach.
Peacocks and pademelons wander the lawns, and First Basin Café does coffee with a view. The best cure for Paddock dust we know of.
Launnie has some of the oldest streetscapes in the country, so look up as you wander. Grab Launceston Central’s free self-guided history walk, or join a guided tour with Launceston by Foot to hear the stories behind the buildings.
Harvest Launceston Community Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from 8:30am to 12:30pm at 71 Cimitiere Street, rain or shine. Come hungry: there’s breakfast, coffee and the best of the north’s growers and makers.
Start the day right at Bread + Butter, Tinka Coffee Brewers or Frankie’s Coffee House. For brunch, it’s Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew (an all-vegetarian menu with generous serves), Mad Apple Café, Earthy Eats on the Kingsway or Launnie Heights Café.
Launnie does a good nightcap:
Your body has done four days of dancing. Be nice to it:
A float and infrared sauna at City Cave
The cold plunge, hot tub and sauna deck at Hoshino Day Spa (bookings essential)
A stretch at Yoga at The House of Prana or The Yoga Loft
A proper massage at Launceston Massage Centre or Clover Massage
Paint and sip at Frida’s Sip n Paint or Paint the Town Red, throw a pot at Glazed and Confused, or make the weekend permanent at one of Launnie’s tattoo studios.
