On the surface, Burnie is a bustling port city known for its industry. But look a little deeper, and you will discover a world of Art Deco architecture, penguins and gardens.
From coastal walks to immersive museums, discover the best historic and natural attractions in Burnie for your next visit.
Immerse in nature
Every trip to Burnie should start at the waterfront foreshore, which looks out onto West Beach. Kids will love the playground and aquatic feature, which is inhabited by two octopus statues – Callum and Murray.
On one end of the foreshore timber boardwalk, the promenade viewing platform offers bench seats and strip lighting to guide your evening stroll, while a large picture frame overlooking the beach encourages photos aplenty.
On the other end, the Little Penguin Observation Centre runs night talks as you watch the local colony of Little Penguins waddle back to their nests. Knowledgeable volunteers share stories of these penguin families, from courtship through to chick rearing, while also answering your burning questions and helping you with photos (as long as you keep the flash off). There’s even a live feed of the penguins on YouTube, so you can keep up to date with their lives when you’ve returned home.
For thrill-seekers, the Burnie mountain bike trails offer dirt jumps, downhill runs and a children’s zone for smaller biking challenges. There’s also a meeting and hangout area with shelters to enjoy a much-needed break after your ride.
Travel less than four kilometres from the heart of Burnie, and you will find yourself immersed in the tranquil oasis of Fern Glade. Take the main trail along the banks of Emu River for the chance to see native animals in their natural habitats, including platypus. Or, tackle the two-kilometre lookout loop and trek your way to the top of the walking track while surrounded by more than a dozen species of native orchids. The park also contains a picnic area and barbecue, so you can bring the supplies for a delicious lunch while soaking in your stunning surroundings.
Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is only 15 minutes from Burnie, and well worth the drive. The 11-hectare garden boasts more than 24,000 plants amongst a tranquil woodland setting, including half of the roughly 1000 known rhododendron species from around the world. Roam around the three main lakes and you might even spot the resident platypuses. After a morning of exploring, head to Rosetree Cafe in the heart of the garden for tea with scones, homemade cakes and coffee, or a hearty pasta lunch.
Nurture your mind
Step inside the unassuming Burnie Regional Museum, and you will be transported back to the mid-1820s in its immersive pioneer village display. The museum has reconstructed Federation Street to show you how local inhabitants lived more than 110 years ago, with photographs, memorabilia and vintage tools scattered throughout the exhibition.
Each store along the street honours a trade or profession important to Burnie’s pioneering community, including a saddler, boot maker, blacksmith, printer and dentist. Each has been designed based on an actual business that once existed in Burnie, and today reminds visitors of the town’s fascinating past.
In fact, Burnie was once home to a major paper mill, which began producing fine paper from eucalyptus in the 1930s. At its height, the mill employed around 4000 people and produced 22,500 tonnes of paper a year. It was the centre of industry in town, with housing for employees, childcare facilities, a grand ballroom, an indoor gym and a cafeteria. Today, despite ceasing its operations, it remains a striking example of Art Deco architecture, and many buildings have been restored to their former glory.
To learn more about the importance of the paper industry to Burnie, you can explore the Pulp Paper Trail. This scenic waterfront path sits opposite the remains of the paper mill, and features a number of stunning sculptures honouring the men and women who worked at the mill between 1937 and 2010. Interpretive signs along the way offer more detail about the generations of makers who turned Burnie into a thriving port town, while the sculptures themselves are beautiful spots to stop and admire the rich history around you.
Continue your historic tour of town at Burnie Port, which welcomed its first ships in 1827. Almost 50 years later, when tin was found at Waratah, a mining boom saw minerals arriving at the port to support a growing industry. The region thrived as companies moved their businesses into town and built new railways, resulting in a number of Federation-style buildings popping up all over town.
These buildings are known for red-brick exterior, elaborate timber fretwork, terracotta tile roofs and decorative windows, blending British Edwardian influence with Australian lifestyles. On the Burnie Federation Walk, you can tour the prime examples of architecture that remain all through town, including the Gothic Baptist Church with its turrets, and the heritage-listed dental surgery that is now recreated inside the Burnie Regional Museum.
Today, Burnie Port remains Tasmania’s largest general cargo port, transiting more than five million tonnes of freight.
To discover more amazing things to see and do in Burnie, click here.
Rex flies to Burnie. Book your trip on the Rex website and check out the route map below for more details.
