Tasmania · Attraction
City Park and Japanese Macaque Enclosure
Heritage park meets Japanese monkeys
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
City Park is Launceston's oldest and most beloved public garden, established in the 1820s and covering several hectares in the heart of the city. It combines formal Victorian plantings, a glasshouse conservatory, a duck pond, and a children's playground with one genuinely unexpected drawcard: a thriving colony of Japanese macaques, gifted to the city by its Japanese sister city of Ikeda in the 1980s.
The macaque enclosure sits near the Cameron Street entrance and houses around 20 snow monkeys in a habitat designed with climbing structures, a pool, and sheltered areas. The colony has grown steadily since the original gift and the animals are lively and entertaining to watch year-round. Entry to the park and the enclosure is free.
Beyond the monkeys, the park features the John Hart Conservatory, a cast-iron glasshouse built in 1932 that shelters tropical and subtropical plants. The Albert Hall, constructed in 1891, anchors the southern corner of the park and is used for events and markets. Heritage iron gates and a rotunda complete the Victorian streetscape.
The park is an easy walk from Launceston's cafe and restaurant precinct and makes a pleasant morning stop. A small radio museum operates from a heritage building within the park grounds and is worth a brief detour.
Scenic views
