Glebe Gardens offers elevenses and lunch for keen gardeners and the biggest, best, most eccentric plant and flower centre in Tasmania. The nursery and gift shop, potting sheds and statues of wild animals make this a standout.

Five Hectares of Gardeners’ Heaven

All this and Devonshire Tea too. Launceston locals have known about this gardeners’ mecca for years, but as it’s a little way out of town, visitors often miss it. If you love your plants and trees, you’ll love this. It’s worth the short drive.

You can sit in the café, at the outdoor tables, or Glebe Gardens staff will lay out a conservatory for you, if they run out of space. Fortunately there are an awful lot of conservatories and greenhouses on the five hectares here.

Dinosaurs and Sandwiches

Five-star reviews tell the story. It’s not just the enormous dinosaurs which surprise you at the back of the place – or the Japanese garden which charms you. It’s also the simple sandwiches and coffee for lunch. Nothing to break your budget here.

You can also order a small bottle of wine or beer with lunch and if you’re really hungry, a burger with the lot.

There is also an all-day breakfast menu with avocado on toast and excellent coffee – or poached eggs.

(Keen visitors come here for opening at 9am, have breakfast and do their garden accessory shopping early).

The spectacular vision of Lynn Crawford and partner Patrick Graham has grown over the years to include basic fashion in the shop – and accessories for pets.

Their stray cat Leo found a home here, joining Max the dog.

The Eiffel Tower

There is a ten-metre Eiffel Tower here which has never seen Paris. An enormous hand-carved Buddha (two tonnes in weight) oversees the Japanese garden. The frog pond charms children and the Yin and Yang flower bed is inspiring if you are an ambitious gardener. There are plenty of friendly staff on hand to talk to.

Video Tour

The video tour for Glebe Gardens is here.

Homewares and Strawberries

Stunning mirrors in the homewares section at the front of the gardens, in the large shop are worth a long look.

Among the strawberries, lavender and roses you will also find inspiration and information for your own garden at home. This must be the best place in Tasmania, if not one of the best in Australia, for green fingers to find a good cup of tea.