Summary of Top Attractions in Burnie
Not many cities have undergone a transformation as significant as Burnie on the north-west coast of Tasmania.
Throughout the 20th century, this city served as a gritty industrial center, dominated by a paper mill and possessing the fifth-largest container port in Australia.
While the Port of Burnie remains active, much of the heavy industry has diminished, allowing the city to chart a new course.
One of Burnie’s primary attractions now lies in its natural beauty, featuring a colony of little penguins along its foreshore and platypuses that can be spotted paddling in the Emu River.
1. Little Penguin Observation Centre
The little penguin, the smallest species of penguin, has a colony located along Burnie’s foreshore, a short distance from the central business district (CBD).
An observation center situated on the boardwalk is staffed by volunteer guides.
This center provides a rare opportunity to observe the seasonal activities of little penguins, including courtship, chick-rearing, and moulting at the conclusion of the breeding season.
At the fully accessible viewing area, the guides offer additional insights and respond to inquiries regarding the penguins, including their diet and habits.
Between October and March, visitors are likely to see adorable baby penguins, and there will be additional volunteer support in the evenings throughout this period.
2. Burnie Regional Museum
The Burnie Regional Museum presents the city’s 200-year history of European settlement, showcasing the third-largest collection in the state.
The exhibition located on Federation Street immerses visitors in a Burnie street scene at the dawn of the 20th century.
Every establishment depicted was once part of Burnie, including a blacksmith’s shop, dental practice, photography studio, printing house, saddlery, and shoemaker.
Additionally, you can trace the city’s origins through the Early Burnie Exhibition, which highlights the exploration and settlement of Tasmania by Europeans and the establishment of the Van Diemen’s Land Company.
Ample information is provided on forestry and papermaking, which were Burnie’s primary industries for a significant portion of the 20th century.
3. Hellyers Road Distillery
Tasmania is home to numerous distilleries that capitalize on its pure mountain streams and fertile grains borne of a temperate climate.
Notably, Hellyers Road’s single malt has earned acclaim as the country’s best according to the Malt Whisky Association of Australia.
The distillery, named after Henry Hellyer, an early European explorer of Tasmania, is located less than ten minutes from Burnie’s CBD.
The visitor center there offers tastings and sales, alongside a café that serves comforting dishes such as slow-cooked beef cheeks with a whisky glaze.
Furthermore, guided tours are available, allowing visitors to observe the distillation process, explore the American oak barrels in the bonded warehouse, and pour and seal their own bottle of Hellyers Road to take home.
4. Burnie Park
Once a private garden, Burnie Park became part of the city’s landscape in the 1920s.
This park features meticulously planted flowerbeds, winding pathways, and well-maintained lawns dotted with mature exotic and native trees.
The elevated areas offer stunning vistas of the Bass Strait.
Burnie Park may very well be the most picturesque urban park in Tasmania, thus serving as a venue for seasonal events such as Carols by Candlelight during Christmas and ‘Kids in the Park’ on Easter Sunday.
Within the park, one can find the oldest building in the city, the historic Burnie Inn, which dates back to 1847 and was Burnie’s first licensed establishment.
5. Burnie Regional Art Gallery
For those interested in engaging with Burnie’s vibrant arts scene, the Burnie Regional Art Gallery serves the north-west and west coasts of Tasmania.
Reflective of the city’s legacy as a center of papermaking, the gallery boasts a significant national collection of prints and paper art.
This collection has expanded to encompass over 1,300 works, with selections available during exhibitions.
The gallery also organizes solo exhibitions, special displays, and touring showcases, alongside various community and educational programs.
Throughout the year, visitors can attend openings, talks, and workshops, and every two years, the gallery’s esteemed reputation is reaffirmed through the prestigious Bernie Print Prize.
6. Fern Glade Reserve
Located on the east bank of the Emu River, prior to its flow into Emu Bay, lies a beautiful reserve situated within a valley.
This site features a diverse array of flora and fauna along the riverside paths of Fern Glade Reserve, including wallabies, lush tree ferns, various orchids, unique fungi, and avian species such as the Tasmanian native hen.
However, the main attraction is the platypus, which is relatively elusive but can occasionally be seen resurfacing in the river or foraging along the banks.
This area is regarded as one of the premier locations to observe this unique species in the wild.
7. Guide Falls
Make sure to allocate time for a drive into Burnie’s picturesque hinterland to uncover this tiered waterfall located in an unspoiled natural reserve.
The base of Guide Falls can be reached via a ten-minute walk from the parking area, along with a steep staircase leading up to a platform providing a breathtaking view from above.
The surrounding environment is undeniably stunning, with tree ferns surrounding the creek and falls, alongside intriguing basalt formations at the main drop and along the cascades below.
While the falls are most impressive during winter and spring, they maintain a steady flow year-round.
The reserve also offers amenities including picnic tables, two barbecue facilities, and restroom access.
8. Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden
Visitors in Burnie between late August and January should make a brief trip to this garden situated in a natural amphitheater just outside the city.
Spanning 11 hectares, the garden is home to over 22,000 rhododendrons and companion plants that bloom during these months.
The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden has been thoughtfully designed over the past three decades by volunteers and is accessorized with features such as waterfalls, bridges, four lakes, drystone walls, and gazebos.
In October, visitors can also observe the cherry trees in bloom, with an accompanying annual celebration featuring Japanese-themed displays, stalls, and plant sales.
April and May also present a beautiful opportunity to appreciate the stunning autumn foliage within the garden.
9. Guide Falls Farm
For families visiting Guide Falls, a working farm providing animal encounters is available.
A self-guided tour around the paddocks typically takes around two hours, during which you may encounter deer, alpacas, peacocks, emus, rabbits, sheep, and pigs, among other animals.
Visitors have the opportunity to hand-feed these animals, along with the abundant trout found in the farm’s ponds.
The nursery may also feature baby animals, depending on the season.
Guests are welcome to relax with a picnic while observing the playful lambs and calves in the fields, and the farm shop offers seasonal produce alongside free-range eggs year-round.
10. West Beach
More commonly referred to as “Burnie Beach,” West Beach is conveniently situated just one block from the CBD and connects to the Little Penguin Observation Centre via a boardwalk.
On sunny days, this location is a delightful spot to relax, featuring a broad expanse of sand and a spacious foreshore outfitted with picnic tables and barbecue facilities.
A playground for children is located approximately midway along the beach, while the Surf Club building includes a beachfront restaurant and café.
West Beach is a popular venue for celebrating New Year’s Eve, where visitors light bonfires and view the fireworks display.
11. Round Hill Lookout
Enclosed by steep hills and escarpments, Emu Bay has several elevated sites nearby that offer stunning views of Burnie and the Bass Strait.
The premier lookout is situated on Round Hill, which offers a commanding view of the city from the east.
A short and pleasant walk from the parking area leads to the lookout, which features two observation platforms and an observation tower.
From this vantage point, visitors can appreciate a remarkable perspective of the Port of Burnie, with sights extending as far as Table Cape, approximately 30 kilometers down the coast.
Additionally, the view eastward overlooks the serene Blythe River Conservation Area and Burnie’s outer neighborhoods.
12. Oldaker Falls
Burnie Park features its own waterfall located on Stoney Creek, positioned in the high terrain at the upper section of the park.
Visitors can traverse paved paths that take them away from the park’s manicured landscapes towards more natural, overgrown scenery.
Oldaker Falls exhibits some evidence of human intervention to regulate water flow, which can be quite vigorous after sustained rainfall but diminishes to a mere trickle during dry spells.
A staircase ascends beside the splash pool and intermediate cascades, leading to the base of the main drop situated in a charming little gorge.
13. Upper Burnie Lookout
Located even closer than Round Hill, this elevated spot adjacent to Mount Street is situated a couple of kilometers south of the port.
For those seeking to enjoy the sunrise over Emu Bay, this is the ideal location.
The port is also clearly visible, making it a perfect spot to absorb the bustling activities below.
While the view to the west is partially obstructed by a line of trees, there is ample grassy space, benches, and a picnic table available for an economical family outing.
