Welcome to Burnie

Less than 50 kilometres west of Devonport, Burnie was founded in 1827 and named after Van Diemen's Land Company director William Burnie. One of Tasmania’s largest urban centres, this port city has always been powered by industry, including forestry to this day.

That means Burnie has what you need whether pausing for lunch or choosing a base to explore the region – including Cradle Mountain National Park, whose visitor centre is only 100 kilometres away. There’s more fab food and accommodation than you might expect, plus surprising natural spaces.

Did you know Burnie is one of the best places in Tassie to watch penguins in the wild? Head to the Penguin Observation Centre to see a colony of these cute birdies on the foreshore, where you’ll also find volunteer guides October-March. Just outside town at Fern Glade Reserve you can spot wild platypus too.

Burnie’s other free, natural pleasures include clean sandy beaches, pretty Burnie Park – picnics are best beside the waterfall – and Round Hill Lookout, which offers 360-degree views across farmland and coast.

A highlight of Burnie’s arts precinct is Federation Street at Burnie Regional Museum. This life-size indoor ‘street’ uses historic artefacts to recreate the town’s old businesses including a photographic studio and blacksmith.

A sure sign Burnie is spreading its wings is the arrival of Hellyers Road Distillery and Communion Brewing Co. Enjoy a tour, tastings and fancy fare like whisky-washed scotch fillet at the distillery. Or relax with the brewery’s beer-friendly food, from burgers to chickpea curry, good times including trivia and live music, and brews made on site.

Whether popping in for local bubbles and oysters or lingering over the tasting menu, you’ll love Bayviews Restaurant and Lounge Bar’s floor-to-ceiling seaside panorama. 

Top breakfast, brunch and lunch destinations include The Chapel for comfort food in a beautiful heritage space. Infuse Coffee Roasters has quick, quality refuelling sorted. If you’re around on the first or third Saturday of the month, don’t miss Burnie Farmers Market. Get morning bites to go and fresh food for self-catering, then check out the locally made arts and crafts.

This town’s got all sorts of accommodation, just at Burnie Ocean View Motel and Holiday Caravan Park alone. Pitch a tent, settle into a serviced room with sea views, or choose from several options in between including cabins and backpacker bunkhouse. Burnie City Apartments are also a practical, affordable option if you’re staying a while.

Anyone who loves heritage style should consider three charming, self-contained cottages that mix antiques with mod-cons: The Duck House, Mrs Philpotts and Amelias. Century-old Ikon Hotel leans more toward new than old to deliver a comfortable stay, while Sea Glass Cottages offers relaxation on the coast.

Just out of town is a gem of the north-west, Emu Valley Rhodedendron Garden. It’s particularly spectacular when these shrubs bloom en masse September-November, but there’s always something to enjoy including the tearooms. Another spring floral favourite is Table Cape Tulip Farm, open late September-October.

Nature goes its own way at Gunns Plains Caves, Rocky Cape National Park and Boat Harbour’s beach, which is among Tasmania’s most picturesque. There’s also Guide Falls, just up the road from Guide Falls Farm’s amazing Grazings restaurant.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.