Batman Fawkner Inn

Built in 1824 as the Cornwell Hotel, this three-story inn is housed in one of Launceston's oldest buildings. It's a lovely white building with black accents and lots of charm. In 1835, businessman John Batman met with his friends there and they established a village on the mainland that later became the city of Melbourne. Plaques and photos in the lobby commemorate the event. Today, the hotel has two wings, one with dorm-style backpacker rooms and the other side with private rooms. These days, though, everything is more modern than the hotel's history might lead one to expect. The lobby is a bright, airy space with a wooden front desk and wooden staircase leading upstairs. The inn has a hyper-casual vibe; vending machines dispense drinks, and chairs and benches provide places to hang out. Because of the historic nature of the building, its layout can be confusing at times, which could lead to a few wrong turns when moving about. The inn is geared to travelers on a budget. Many backpackers traveling solo or in groups are seen here, as well as couples and families looking to be thrifty in expensive Launceston.

The inn is located on a quiet street in downtown Launceston across the road from a large historic church. There are a few businesses on the street, including a cafe right next door. Several other eateries also are within walking distance. The Launceston Visitor Information Centre is just a block away, the Launceston City Park can be reached in five minutes on foot, and the Queen Victoria Art Gallery is an eight-minute walk. Other nearby attractions include the popular Cataract Gorge, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and the Tamar River Valley (home to one of Tasmania's best wine regions). Aurora Stadium, with its Australian Football League team, is less than a mile from the inn. Bus service is available at the Cornwall Square Transit Center, a six-minute walk from the inn. The Launceston Airport is a 15-minute drive, or about 35 minutes by public transportation. 

Rooms come in two types: Backpacker Dorms with bunk beds, and private rooms that can accommodate from one to five people. All are clean and fresh and have en-suite bathrooms. The dorm rooms are simple, with just heat and no air-conditioning. They come with pillows, lockers, and bed linens. Private rooms also are simple, but they offer more amenities, including air-conditioning, TVs, tea/coffee makers, and mini-fridges. Decor is minimalist and modern, but bright accent pillows and bed toppers provide a splash of color in the otherwise white and gray rooms. A few pieces of small black-and-white art hangs on the walls, and floors are carpeted. Family Rooms have a double bed and from one to three twins. King Rooms have king-size beds, a sofa, and a small table with chairs. Bathrooms are small and come with towels, hand soap, body and hair shampoo in a large bottle. There are showers in some and shower/tub combos in others. Some rooms have views of the historic church across the street, but noise from the town's clocktower and the nightclub downstairs can be an issue in some rooms. 

Like any good backpacker-friendly hotel, there are a decent number of facilities here aimed at keeping everyone social and on budget. The communal kitchen offers a stove and oven, refrigerator, toaster, and a dishwasher for guests to use. Although the inn doesn't provide any meal service on-site, guests staying in the private rooms can order breakfast to be delivered from the cafe next door. A lounge area next to the kitchen has a large dining table, as well as sofas and arm chairs, tables with bar stools, and a flat-screen TV. It's a bright, airy space where guests like to hang out. Guests get free passes to the club operating directly under the hotel on select weeknights. The laundry room provides two coin-operated washers and dryers and an iron and ironing board. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.