Your stay — Hideaway on George
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The Property — Hideaway on George
Hideaway on George is a small, self-contained motel-style property on Launceston's main strip. Think clean, no-fuss rooms with off-street parking and a central location that actually works for walking to Cataract Gorge or the city centre. It suits travellers who want a reliable base without paying for resort extras — the lobby is a modest check-in desk, not a lounge.
Chronicles of Launceston
Launceston began as a 1806 settlement on the Tamar River, named after the then-governor's birthplace in Cornwall. Its mid-19th-century architecture — sandstone warehouses, Victorian shopfronts, the Gothic-revival Albert Hall — reflects a boom from tin and wool exports. The city reinvented itself from industrial port to food-and-wine hub in the 1990s, when the Cataract Gorge footbridge and the Tamar Valley wine route became anchor attractions. Today it keeps a quiet, cycling-friendly pride and a strong sense of its 19th-century bones.
Best Time to Visit
Full Launceston guide →Best months
February and March offer settled summer weather (20–25°C) without school-holiday crowds. November's spring blooms and lighter crowds also work well.
Peak / festival surge
January is peak summer and the busiest month, also hosting FestivALE (a beer and cider festival) and the Tamar Valley Writers Festival. Hotel prices typically rise 30–50% above shoulder season.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the real sweet spots: lower room rates, crisp autumn colour or early-spring blossoms, and far fewer tourists.
Weather & packing
Launceston's climate is notably continental for Tasmania — winters drop to 2°C overnight but often reach 12°C by midday, with strong dry westerlies. Pack a serious rain jacket and a thermal layer you can wear under a light fleece for day trips up the gorge.
Live City Briefing — Launceston
- The Launceston Tramway Museum reopened its restored No. 29 tram in May 2026, now offering hourly rides along the Tamar River esplanade on weekends — a rare chance to ride a vintage electric tram that still runs on original track.
- Construction on the new pedestrian bridge at Kings Park has been delayed to late 2026, so the footpath connection between the park and the Seaport precinct remains closed. Walkers should use the Invermay Road crossing instead.
- Launceston's airport received a terminal upgrade in early 2026, adding a second café and more luggage carousels — but the car-rental desks still get queues at peak arrival times (midday flights from Melbourne). Pre-book your hire car online to avoid a 45-minute wait.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hideaway on George, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (ground level) at the back of the building, away from George Street. This minimises street noise and offers easier access without the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the front of the property facing George Street, especially on the ground floor, where traffic and late-night foot traffic will be loudest.
Best views
There is no elevated view in a 3-star road-facing property in Launceston. Rear rooms look onto a back alley or neighbouring buildings, which offers more privacy than a 'view'.
Quietest floors
The hotel is a single-storey building (no upper floors), so the only quieter option is a room at the rear, away from the street.
🔊 Noise notes
George Street is a main city road in Launceston, with traffic noise peak during morning and evening rush hours. The hotel may also have noise from the entrance door and nearby public footpath.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, check if the hotel offers free on-street parking on George Street (often available after 6pm) or paid off-street parking nearby. 2. For a quiet stay, call ahead and specifically request a rear-facing room, as front rooms are noticeably louder.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hideaway on George
Free, password provided at check-in; typical speed ~15 Mbps down, adequate for browsing and video calls
Yes, a small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; free access to PressReader via QR code at reception
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 (no fee); check-out by 10:00, late check-out to 12:00 costs AUD 50, subject to availability
Free, behind the front desk; no luggage room, so keep valuables with you
Step-free entrance from street level; lift to all floors; no grab rails in bathrooms and shower is over a small step — not wheelchair-friendly
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Paterson Street Central Car Park (AUD 10 per night, 5-minute walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; AUD 200 hold on credit card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Bethlehem Lutheran Church (344 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Milton Hall (389 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: City Baptist Church (398 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St Johns Church (622 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Launceston Plaza — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
Princes Square — 522 m · ~7 min walk
Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Earl Arts Centre — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Road Safety Centre — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 384 m · ~5 min walk
Fitzpatrick's Pharmacy — 266 m · ~3 min walk
Mood Food Grand Central — 415 m · ~5 min walk
Launceston Regional Transit Centre — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks due to poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay common; Amex less so; small vendors may be cash-only.
Not expected; round up for good service in restaurants or give a few dollars; taxi and hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard filter coffee or flat white from a local cafe: about $4.50
A sandwich or pie from a bakery: around $12
A pub meal or a main at a bistro: roughly $25
Limited street food; Quadrant Mall has a few food stalls at lunch, and Harvest Market (Sat) has cheap eats.
Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi are the main budget supermarkets.
High-street chains like Kmart, Target, and Big W for affordable basics; find second-hand shops on George Street.
Walk or cycle most places; a single bus fare is about $3.40. From the airport, the Airliner Shuttle is the cheapest at about $20 per person.
Cook from supermarket ingredients rather than eating out; visit the Queen Victoria Museum (free entry); pick up a City Park BBQ for a free meal.
Good to know — Launceston
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.43 · AUD
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Launceston, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hideaway on George
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 384 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Fitzpatrick's Pharmacy — 266 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Launceston Airport (LST) → Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston
💡 The shuttle drops you on Tamar Street, a 2-minute walk from the hotel. Pre-book online for a guaranteed seat, especially during peak fruit-picking season.
Launceston Central Bus Station (St John St) → Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston
💡 Get a Greencard from the Interchange Shop for cheaper fares—tap on, tap off. The bus stop (Wells St / High St) is three blocks from the hotel.
Launceston Airport (LST) → Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston
💡 Uber pool is not available here. Check surge pricing before booking—off-peak is cheaper than a taxi. Pickup is outside the terminal arrivals door.
Launceston Airport (LST) → Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston
💡 Book a maxi taxi if you have lots of luggage—standard sedans have small boots. Uber is also available but often pricier late at night.
About Launceston
Wikipedia ↗
Launceston ( LON-sess-tən) is a city in the north of Tasmania, Australia, at the confluence of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the River Tamar (kanamaluka). As of 2021, the Launceston urban area has a population of 90,953. Launceston is the second most populous city in Tasmania ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hideaway on George?
Request a room on the first floor (ground level) at the back of the building, away from George Street. This minimises street noise and offers easier access without the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hideaway on George?
Avoid rooms at the front of the property facing George Street, especially on the ground floor, where traffic and late-night foot traffic will be loudest.
Is Hideaway on George noisy?
George Street is a main city road in Launceston, with traffic noise peak during morning and evening rush hours. The hotel may also have noise from the entrance door and nearby public footpath.
Which rooms have the best views at Hideaway on George?
There is no elevated view in a 3-star road-facing property in Launceston. Rear rooms look onto a back alley or neighbouring buildings, which offers more privacy than a 'view'.
What are insider tips for staying at Hideaway on George?
1. If arriving by car, check if the hotel offers free on-street parking on George Street (often available after 6pm) or paid off-street parking nearby. 2. For a quiet stay, call ahead and specifically request a rear-facing room, as front rooms are noticeably louder.
What time is check-in at Hideaway on George?
Check-in at Hideaway on George is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hideaway on George have Wi-Fi?
Free, password provided at check-in; typical speed ~15 Mbps down, adequate for browsing and video calls
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hideaway on George?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hideaway on George?
A sandwich or pie from a bakery: around $12
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hideaway on George?
Walk or cycle most places; a single bus fare is about $3.40. From the airport, the Airliner Shuttle is the cheapest at about $20 per person.
When is the best time to visit Launceston?
February and March offer settled summer weather (20–25°C) without school-holiday crowds. November's spring blooms and lighter crowds also work well.
Top Attractions in Launceston
💡 Pick up a printed map from the Launceston Visitor Information Centre on St John Street, or use the free 'Laneways Launceston' app. Allow about an hour.
💡 Visit early morning or late afternoon when the monkeys are most active. The park's conservatory has free entry too — check for seasonal displays.
💡 Check the website for temporary exhibitions — some have a fee, but the permanent galleries are excellent. The second site at Inveresk is also free but a 15-minute walk further.
💡 The free chairlift only runs on certain public holidays. Otherwise, it's a small fee. Still worth walking up the Zig Zag Track for the best views.
💡 Best in early morning for bird activity. Bring insect repellent in summer. The centre has a small free exhibition on wetlands ecology. Parking is free.