Is Launceston safe?
Very safe, with low crime and a small-city feel. Wildlife on roads, cold weather and bush hazards are the main concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate in Australia: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Australia: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety in Launceston at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional bag theft from parked cars at trailheads and some late-night drunk behaviour in the CBD. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | The CBD is quiet after about 10 pm outside weekends. Walking feels safe, but take a taxi after bars in cold weather. |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women. Standard city caution late at night; trailheads are quiet, so tell someone your plans. |
| Other risks | Snakes in summer on bush tracks; Fast weather changes and snow on highland trails; Roadkill and wildlife at dusk |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Online rental listings asking for deposits before viewing
Take care
- Valuables left visible in cars at trailheads
- Driving at dusk: wallabies and wombats on rural roads
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
How Launceston compares in Australia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hobart | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Noosa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Blue Mountains | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sunshine Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Great Ocean Road | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Port Douglas | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Canberra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Margaret River | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Launceston | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Magnetic Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sydney | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Melbourne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brisbane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Perth | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairns | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Byron Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Adelaide | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bondi Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluru | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darwin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| K'gari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fremantle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Broome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manly | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Launceston safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women. Standard city caution late at night; trailheads are quiet, so tell someone your plans.
Is Launceston safe at night?
The CBD is quiet after about 10 pm outside weekends. Walking feels safe, but take a taxi after bars in cold weather.
What is the crime rate in Launceston?
Occasional bag theft from parked cars at trailheads and some late-night drunk behaviour in the CBD. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Australia records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Launceston?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
More about Launceston
Going to Launceston solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Tourism Tasmania
- Launceston Airport
- Tasmanian Department of Health
- Metro Tasmania: free fares
- Launceston Airport: taxi, rideshare and shuttles
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.