Content Summary
Located off the Bass Highway in North West Tasmania, Ulverstone is a coastal town that has seen significant enhancements in the last decade to cater to an increasing number of tourists.
It is hardly surprising that Ulverstone is gaining attention given the numerous activities available in close proximity.
Heading south, one can venture into the expansive interior, where cave systems, waterfalls, and magnificent canyons are just minutes away by car.
Ulverstone is situated on the tidal Leven River, and a cruise offers an opportunity to observe the majestic tree ferns and diverse bird species along the untouched banks.
A consistent summer visitor to Ulverstone is the little penguin, which nests in large numbers along Tasmania’s north-western coastline.
1. Leven Canyon
In Ulverstone, you are ideally positioned to access one of North West Tasmania’s most impressive natural wonders.
Interestingly, Leven Canyon is somewhat underappreciated despite its breathtaking scenery, and it is located just half an hour inland from the town.
Here, the Leven River flows through limestone cliffs that plummet 300 metres.
You can easily walk to two lookouts via a 1.2-kilometre track, although a steep stairway connects the two vantage points if you’d prefer not to retrace your steps.
Any effort expended will be rewarded with astonishing views of the canyon, the steep, densely forested slopes surrounding it, and the silhouette of Black Bluff to the south-west.
2. Lillico Beach
The north-west coast of Tasmania is home to various rookeries for the world’s smallest penguin.
The aptly named little penguin grows to a maximum height of just 30 centimetres and weighs approximately one kilogram.
These creatures typically arrive from September to May, during which time they come ashore to create nests in burrows along the coastline.
Throughout the day, they can be seen fishing, returning to their nests in the evenings.
This delightful sight of penguins waddling ashore can be observed just after sunset at Lillico Beach, located directly east of Ulverstone.
The beach is designated as a conservation area, and volunteers coordinate penguin viewing tours from a platform above.
Participants receive informative fact sheets and hear engaging discussions on the breeding, nesting, and feeding habits of the little penguins.
It is advisable to dress warmly and wear dark colors.
Additionally, the beach is recognized for its extensive rock pools, which attract various bird species, including pelicans, red-capped plovers, and pied oystercatchers.
3. Leven River Cruises
From Ulverstone, one can embark on an engaging journey upriver with this small, family-operated cruise company.
Leven River Cruises focus on nature, providing guests with exclusive views of the wet sclerophyll forest lining the riverbanks, complemented by detailed knowledge of the diverse wildlife inhabiting the area.
Passengers will also hear captivating narratives regarding over 180 years of European settlement along the river, narrated by Kim, the affable skipper.
These excursions are intimate, as the vessel accommodates no more than 16 passengers.
In addition to one-hour and two-hour cruises, a specialized bird photography trip is available, enabling participants to quietly glide along the river while capturing images of the numerous species residing along the banks, including the vibrant azure kingfisher.
4. Gunns Plains Cave
This limestone show cave, located just outside Gunns Plains, was uncovered in 1906 by a gentleman named Bill Woodhouse while he was out hunting for possums.
The section of the cave that is accessible to the public spans nearly 300 metres, providing a glimpse of a system that continues for another kilometre.
Accompanied by an enthusiastic guide, visitors will explore stunning formations along the trail, including flowstones, calcite shawls, helictites, stalagmites, and stalactites.
The cave is also home to glow worms that dangle from its ceiling.
The river that carved out the Gunns Plains Cave continues to flow, providing a habitat for various fish species, eels, and the endangered Tasmanian freshwater crayfish, while platypuses can be found resting and nesting on the sandy banks outside.
5. Wings Wildlife Park
Another attraction awaiting visitors in Gunns Plains is an award-winning, family-operated wildlife park that allows close encounters with Tasmania’s most notable species.
Among the highlights at Wings Wildlife Park are Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, quolls, kangaroos, and sugar gliders.
Many of these native inhabitants were rescued due to abandonment, illness, or injury.
In addition to the local wildlife, the park features an array of exotic animals, including koalas, bison, meerkats, various monkeys, marmosets, camels, and much more.
Visitors can enjoy a daily schedule of feedings and talks for many of the park’s most popular animals, such as Tasmanian devils, meerkats, koalas, and numerous reptiles.
6. Preston Falls (Delaneys Falls)
Allow extra time during your visit to Gunns Plains to explore this waterfall on Preston Creek, nestled among rolling farmland.
A modest parking area is available on Raymond Road, and a stairway leads visitors down to the edge of a gorge, providing an exceptional view of the falls.
The waterfall descends approximately 25 metres, pouring over a sheer cliff adorned with lush vegetation, showcasing majestic tree ferns along the creek’s edge.
It is advisable to time your visit after a period of consistent rainfall to witness the waterfall at its most impressive.
7. Buttons Beach
Located east of the mouth of the River Leven, Buttons Beach stretches northward for 2.7 kilometres.
This area houses Ulverstone’s Surf Life Saving Club, and those wishing to swim will find the safest option in the patrolled zone directly in front of the club or at mid-to-high tide, away from the rocky sections of the beach.
Beyond swimming, Buttons Beach is celebrated for the parks and recreational facilities situated behind it.
To the west lies dog-friendly Bicentennial Park, which seamlessly transitions into the grassy expanse of Fairway Park, featuring a children’s playground and a skate park.
In between these parks, visitors will find the ever-popular Ulverstone Water Slide and the sunlit terrace of Beach Hut Coffee.
8. Pedal Buggies Tasmania
Spending time along the foreshore in Ulverstone, one is likely to encounter a pedal buggy passing by.
These buggies can be rented from Pedal Buggies Tasmania, located next to Beach Hut Coffee behind Buttons Beach.
A variety of styles and sizes are available, ranging from single-seater buggies to double or family options.
Trailers can be attached to accommodate additional passengers, and baby harness seats are provided.
Once outfitted, you can navigate the ultra-smooth and mostly flat pathways in Bicentennial Park and Fairway Park.
For enthusiasts seeking longer excursions, certain buggies are also specifically designed for extended trips along the eastern bank of the River Leven.
9. Ulverstone Cultural Centre
As of the time of this article’s writing in 2020, Ulverstone was in the process of constructing a modern cultural hub.
This facility is expected to be completed by 2021 and will incorporate the Ulverstone History Museum, the town’s visitor information centre, as well as a new science centre and planetarium.
The site will also provide spaces for art exhibitions and workshops, along with a café, creating a cultural precinct with significant offerings for both Ulverstone residents and visitors to the town.
10. Riverside Anzac Park
This lush green space is situated along the river bend, almost beneath the Leven Bridge.
A well-maintained waterside path accommodates pedal buggies, and benches are available for visitors to enjoy views of the River Leven and gaze westward towards Mount Montgomery.
Children will delight in Anzac Park, which features whimsical, space-themed playground equipment, such as a climbable flying saucer, a rocket, and a long slide utilizing the natural slope leading down to the riverfront.
Anzac Park includes a large grassy area, making it suitable for events like the Festival in the Park, an annual food, beverage, and lifestyle gathering at the end of February.
11. Leven Antique Centre
Ulverstone boasts the longest-established antique shop in Tasmania, making it a noteworthy destination for those seeking unique finds.
Situated on King Edward Street, the Leven Antiques Centre features an extensive collection that includes everything from sterling silver to collectibles, artwork, jewelry, Georgian glass, textiles, ceramics dating back to the 1700s, art deco items, books, coins, fine art, retro pieces, and much more.
The proprietor is a member of the Australian Antiques & Art Dealers Association, and dedicated shoppers can easily spend several hours searching for that special item.
12. Buttons Brewing
True beer enthusiasts need not leave Ulverstone in search of a quality brew, as there exists a small batch brewery in a prime location.
Buttons Brewing operates from a microbrewery located on Short Street in Ulverstone’s industrial zone, where visitors can explore the cellar door for takeaway options.
The brand has also recently unveiled a bar/restaurant adjacent to the waterfront on Wharf Street, featuring live music, sourdough pizza nights, and much more.
The flagship offering is the much-adored Hazard IPA, alongside a Kölsch, Brown Ale, and numerous limited edition brews.
13. Penguin
A brief ten-minute drive west of Ulverstone leads to the serene town of Penguin, nestled against the coast and backed by the wooded slopes of the Dial Range.
It is abundantly clear that little penguins are numerous along the town’s waterfront. During the breeding season from September to March, these penguins come ashore in large numbers, and guided evening tours originate from Penguin Point.
To commemorate these delightful creatures, the town erected a large penguin statue in 1975, composed of fiberglass and cement, standing at 3.15 metres in height.
Another noteworthy feature of Penguin is its status as home to the largest undercover market in Tasmania, which operates every Sunday by tradition and also opens on Wednesday and Saturday for smaller markets.
14. Devonport
The city of Devonport, located just 15 minutes east of Ulverstone, serves as the primary point of entry for many visitors to Tasmania.
This port, situated at the mouth of the Mersey River, marks the southern terminus for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, which connects Melbourne across the Bass Strait.
The Devonport foreshore offers numerous attractions, particularly on the west side of the Mersey River, where the Bass Strait Maritime Centre provides fascinating insights into the region’s seafaring history.
Perched on a nearby headland is the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, constructed in 1889, which offers spectacular views from its rocky vantage point, particularly at sunrise or sunset.
15. Bass Highway
The breathtaking north-western coastline of Tasmania is traversed by what is undoubtedly one of the most scenic highways in the region, extending 273 kilometers from Launceston in the east to Marrawah in the west.
The Bass Highway passes south of Ulverstone, and shortly after the township of Penguin, it runs closely alongside the coast, tracing sandy beaches, rising with cliffs and headlands, and descending towards the mouths of many rivers flowing from the rugged interior.
For a small taste of what awaits, visitors can explore world-class distilleries, observe platypuses and penguins in their natural habitat, take detours on heritage railways, view 200-year-old ruins from the early European settlement, and visit lighthouses and lookouts atop windswept promontories.
