Wallaby Walkabout Tours

01/09/2026

I'm on a roll over the past few days discovering more of the Lord Scabar little doors of Launceston I hadn't found before! This one looks like it has been around for a while though. Although the good lord does work in mysterious ways 🫣

As usual I won't give the exact location but if Charles wants to go to court in Launceston he would go there. And I don't mean the magistrates or supreme courts 😉

30/08/2026

Well look who we found on one of our regular walks around our wonderful city...a Lord Scabar little door 🚪 that we hadn't discovered before. For around a decade the mysterious Lord Scabar has been gracing various buildings and other structures with the little doors, and also little windows, little houses, lanterns and cat/rat/mice stencil art.

They have become a real feature of street art in Launceston and also an integral part of my history walks. That is particularly so when I have kids of all ages on my award winning experiences...although adults love finding them too! The good lord works in mysterious ways and we love you for it 😃

Oh, if you are looking for a clue as to where this little gem is, well let's just say Boags Brewery🍻 once owned the building. They bought it to shut down a competitor and monopolize brewing in Launceston 💰

28/08/2026

Our cultural icon, the Princess Theatre, has evolved a great deal over time since being built in 1911. In the past couple of days there's been a bit of confusion about the neon sign that graced it until the renovations/upgrades. It isn't original, and nor has it been there since the 1939 Art Deco 'conversion'. In fact, it was number 4 and a 1970s version that was put on after the council bought the theatre.

Hard to believe it was 2019 but back then I had an article published in the The Examiner Newspaper, Launceston about our cultural icon and the link is below. When looking at doing a history tour of our amazing city I am, unlike others, a genuine (and published) historian, and not just in local history. I also specialise in First Nations' histories and cultures, Australian & Tasmanian colonial (and post-colonial)...and the amazing array of architecture of Launceston across a range of styles and eras. Anyway, here is the link to my article:

From cinema to theatrical hub, the Princess Theatre has moved with the times.

23/08/2026

This is not a great photo when it comes to clarity but it shows that the silt/mud in the Tamar in Launceston is nothing new. As you can see, the ships at the old Market Wharf on the North Esk River are sitting on top of the mud at low tide.

Of course, the current situation is exacerbated by what humans have done in a number of ways. If you want to find out more then join me on any of my award winning experiences of Launceston and our iconic Cataract Gorge!

07/08/2026

Many of you will know I have become the go to person for ABC Radio when it comes to the history and architecture of Launceston. Mornings Leon Compton refers to me as the one who knows every building in Launceston 🙂 People will often come up to me on the street and ask me about a particular building, or business too.

I don't always know the answer but I will always research and find out as much as possible! I was recently asked about this building in Charles St and found out it was a drapery owned and operated by David Bruce. Draperies were once quite common and many had businesses in Launceston. The story of Mr Bruce is intriguing but too long to tell here!

02/08/2026

What do you do when your mate says we should do a Boags Brewery tour before it closes production? You say yes as we get free beer 🍺🍻. I've done the experience quite a few times but you could tell that the brewery is scaling back production massively as it was a ghost town inside the brewery.

I'll be back for one last visit though...and looking for some non-drinking friends to join me. They can donate their free beer to me 😁

01/08/2026

I popped along to see the ABC News Breakfast program broadcast live from the Civic Square yesterday morning and the presenters looked a bit cold 🥶

The Civic Square was created in 1982 but before that it was the site of the Mechanic's Institute, which was a cultural centre dating back to 1860. It was a magnificent building but in the early 1970s it was neglected and in disrepair. It was decided to build a new and modern library...and demolish the Institute. We lost a great piece of architecture and history.

25/07/2026

There's something wrong with the description of this wonderful old photo and I don't think most would be able to pick it. You have to know the history of the Theatre Royal (next to the bakery) to know the glaring error 😉

24/07/2026

Who does the ABC Mornings program get when they want a real historian to provide authentic and entertaining information about our great city? Me! The knowledge and stories I have are second to none...and I am continually researching to find interesting information.

It was great to be part of the program this week and I could have easily filled half an hour but only had around 5 minutes due to there being so many other guests that Leon had to interview. Thanks to Leon and the great crew for having me 😁

21/06/2026

This weekend I had the pleasure of hosting Steven from Wales on the wonderful Chair and a Yarn experience in our iconic Cataract Gorge. I'm working in partnership with the multiple award winning Gorge Scenic Chairlift that combines sailing above the First Basin and its amazing views with an in-depth guided tour.

Our guests have an immersive experience of the gorge that is not one dimensional and covers a range of topics. We also have a great collection of old photos, videos, maps and stories. Don't take my word for it though, just listen to what Steven has to say about his time with me 😊