Burnie

A trip to Burnie can focus on a range of themes: the coast and wildlife watching, trails through parks and reserves, local history, art and whisky. The seasonal offerings and different types of experiences can help you decide which ones to prioritise.

Coastal and seasonal experiences

At West Beach, beach volleyball nets stand in front of the Surf Life Saving Club. During the summer months, the Burnie Volleyball Association holds competition matches there. A walkway connects the beach to the little penguin habitat at its western end. Two timeframes are relevant when planning your visit: volleyball matches take place in the summer months, while volunteers from Friends of Burnie Penguins offer free guided tours at dusk every evening at the Little Penguin Observation Centre at Parsonage Point, from 1 October to 31 March.

You can complement coastal views with nature experiences elsewhere. Fern Glade Reserve has a riverside trail where you can spot platypuses in their natural habitat. From Wilf Campbell Upper Burnie Lookout, also known locally as Upper Burnie Lookout, panoramic views stretch along the coast from the port and central business district to Round Hill. Wildlife watching by the river and expansive coastal views offer two distinct options for planning your outings.

Trails, parks and views

At Burnie Park, a short walking path leads from a duck-filled pond to Oldaker Falls. The park combines a short walk with a specific destination. Burnie Inn, Burnie’s oldest colonial-era building, is also located there. The park therefore offers both a reason to take a stroll and a connection to local history.

For more activity, there are a range of trails and facilities to choose from. View Road Reserve has walking trails, a pump track, mountain bike tracks and cycling paths; it is also known as Stoney Creek Reserve. Romaine Reserve is part of a walking and boardwalk trail that loops around Burnie, and can also be used for cycling. While View Road Reserve combines several types of trails with a pump track, Romaine Reserve forms part of a longer walking and boardwalk route around Burnie.

Local history, architecture and art

The self-guided Federation Walk explains the history of various buildings in the city centre and nearby residential areas. It highlights significant Federation-era examples of domestic and civic architecture. Burnie’s streets also feature a remarkable concentration of Art Deco architecture. Those interested in architectural history can include these two distinct architectural highlights in their city tour.

The Pioneer Village collections at Burnie Regional Museum represent the history of Burnie and the surrounding North West region. Burnie Regional Art Gallery presents an annual exhibition program featuring touring exhibitions, special exhibitions, school and community programs, and curated displays from its permanent art and museum-related collections. Makers Technology and Innovation Hub offers a community program of technology demonstrations and events. Individual events may change; if a particular program is central to your visit, check the relevant dates.

Whisky and distillery experiences

Hellyers Road Distillery offers whisky flights and tastings straight from the cask, as well as behind-the-scenes tours of the distillery. Launched in 2026, the Distillers’ Choice experience is designed for whisky lovers: you taste your own 500 ml single malt whisky using the historic Copper Dog system, then hand-bottle it. Tastings, a look inside the distillery and bottling your own single malt are different ways to explore the whisky on offer.

Discover more destinations: Queenstown, Richmond, Falmouth, St Helens, Scamander, Cranbrook, Moorina, Lewisham.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.