I love going to Morty's - this food hall caters for a wide range of different foods, and there is something for everyone. The prices are mostly very reasonable. I really enjoy the Thai meals - it's good to see fresh ingredients available to choose from. They have recently included a Mexican section, which is an interesting change. I had a salad there recently, and it was delicious. If you just want fish and chips, they're on offer too. A range of coffees, as well as alcoholic drinks, are also available to have with your meals. The staff walk around cleaning the tables continuously, so the eating area is usually clean. A great place to eat with friends (we usually have a meal before going to the cinema) or family. Plenty for children to choose from as well. For those who enjoy fresh juices and smoothies, there is a range to choose from - and a great dessert section as well.

This amazing market is held at the Albert Hall in Launceston, three times a year. This year you'll find them on 28th March, 14th August and 5th December, between 9am and 3pm. There are up to 60 stalls of the highest quality Tasmanian designed and made crafts - a huge selection and variety! The wonderful thing about this market is, 20% of the profits go to St. Giles, an organisation which supports around 6,000 children with disabilities annually, through physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior assessment and early childhood education support. A wonderful organisation. Each time I've been to the Niche market I've been astounded by the range and quality of the crafts, and I've always managed to find birthday and Christmas gifts for family and friends. There is something for everyone. What I love about it is the passion of the stall holders - they are all so proud of their craft, and they are happy to explain how their items are made. A must if you like to support Tasmanian crafts, and a great place to shop for gifts.

I stayed here with my daughters, and we had the best weekend. We had a very comfortable room overlooking the water, with a balcony leading off the room. We enjoyed the room service, as a treat, and sat on the balcony with a glass of wine, a tray of the most delicious oysters, and a magnificent view! We ate at the tavern connected to the motel - and had the most delicious seafood meals at a very reasonable price. Couldn't get over the quality and flavour of the meals for the cost. I wouldn't eat anywhere else if staying at this motel - great value! The staff were very friendly - they even loan us a pack of cards to take back to the room with us, to return the next morning!

I recently celebrated my 60th birthday by spending a weekend with my family in Bicheno, and chose 'Bicheno by the Bay' as it seemed a family friendly place, and we have a 12 month old grandson. And it was everything they advertised it to be! There is a pool on site so the kids can have a swim without having to go to the beach, a tennis court for the older kids, and even a little 'lake' with canoes, which can be used at any time. They have 19 self contained bungalows of varying sizes, and the managers were very obliging when we requested a cot and high chair. We had a relaxing weekend, and the staff were very friendly. One point to note - they don't provide barbecues. The bungalows are self contained so all cooking is done in the kitchen. We enjoyed our time relaxing in the comfortable lounge room and on the balcony, as well as going for walks. It's very close to town, so if you've run out of supplies you don't have to go far. We'd stay there again next time we're staying in Bicheno.

I recently celebrated my 60th birthday in Bicheno and went to Pasini's for dinner. They had a wide variety of dishes to choose from, and the food was delicious. Half the family had the seafood curry, which they all enjoyed. I had mushrooms (very tasty) with a side dish of vegetables. Those who had steak said it was moist, tender and tasty. The prices were reasonable, and I would recommend Pasini's any time for the flavour of their meals, and the friendliness of the staff.

I did a learn to swim class (6 sessions) through
Adult Education, and I was immensely impressed with the quality of the teaching, and the professionalism and patience of the instructor. He has been teaching swimming for many years, and has a wealth of experience to share. He was exceptional in his knowledge, and the way he tailored the classes to suit different levels of ability. I'm a real beginner, but there was a lady who wanted to improve her technique in a couple of different strokes. Everybody was pushed to their ability level, and we all made great improvement. I would recommend the Launceston Swim School to anyone who wants extra tuition, from beginners to those who want to improve their technique. Fantastic value for great tuition!

What a fresh surprise to find this cafe! It's situated at the Launceston Aquatic Centre, but you can eat here whether you've used the pool or not. They're open every day till 5pm. They have delicious, fresh light lunches (of which I've had a few - a different one each time!) at the most reasonable prices. I love their toasted Turkish bread filled with chicken, avocado, brie and extras (only $9.50), but I have also had their salad wraps, quiches and slices - all under $10- each. A real treat is their freshly squeezed juices - you choose the combinations you want from a range of ingredients. They also have a wide variety for their breakfast menu. A must for a delicious, fresh, inexpensive meal.

Approximate cost: $10-

You can get everything you want for baking here - including an extensive range of gluten free products. I love that you can scoop out the amount you want (large or small) and only pay for what you need. I have purchased a variety nuts, dried fruits, herbs and spices, tea & coffee, and keep going back. The only inconvenience is the parking - being so central in town there are no car parks close by, and often I've bought more than I intended and needed to carry it a long way to the car.

This has been classified under "Children/ Family Activities", but these ghost tours are conducted for adults, with separate tours for children. The tours go for 90 minutes, and are intriguing all the way. The staff are superb - very knowledgeable, entertaining and attentive to everyone in the group.
The guides recommend the adult tours are not for children under 10. They start off at the Royal Oak Hotel, straight into vivid stories of ghosts in the area, then we went for walks through alley ways and laneways, hearing about various events and characters from the past - stories handed down through the generations. You can almost feel the ghosts watching you!
Because the walk goes for 90 minutes, it is recommended you wear comfortable shoes, and bring a camera - you never know what you might capture .......
They are night time walks, and depending on daylight savings, seasons etc, leave at different times.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour (I've been twice, and am up for another go!) For a while after each tour I could almost picture the ghosts who wandered different buildings, as the descriptions were so vivid.
The Ghost Tours have a voucher in the Entertainment Book (buy one, get one free), which makes it good to try something different. An unforgettable experience.
It is essential to ring and book, and to confirm the departure on the day. Also, to let them know if there are any children in the group, and their ages.

Approximate cost: $25

A great delicatessen with a wide variety of good quality foods to choose from. They also have a little cafe, and serve delicious meals. Good choices available, if you are gluten intolerant. And they make good coffee! We often call in just for a coffee and sweet treat. The prices are a bit high, but the quality is good.