Burnie Tasmania

Burnie offers a unique volunteer greet and meet program.

For all passengers and crew arriving on cruise ships visiting Burnie there is a free shuttle bus service, with hosts that will assist you from the port area to the Burnie Discovery Hub with Arts Centre and Museum. There is also a designated stop at the Burnie Waterfront.

The cruise terminal is very close to downtown Burnie, with the distance being approximately 1 to 2 kilometers.

Burnie Port being a working seaport it is an extremely busy area. Therefore the shuttle buses on offer are the only means of exiting and entering dockside.

The Burnie Discovery Hub is located at Little Alexander Street.

Settled in 1827 (before Melbourne) as Emu Bay, Burnie's early heritage was dominated by the towering rain forests that cloaked the land and more than a century later, by the pulp and paper mill that helped shape the city as it is today.

Leaf through the pages of Burnie's history at the city's Pioneer Village Museum which has brought to life the trials, tribulations and trivialities from the pioneers to the present day.

Little Penguin Observation Centre, Parsonage Point (along the foreshore boardwalk), Guides are present around sunset from September to March. Free.

Waves and Wildlife With sand and surf almost lapping at the door, Burnie's central business and shopping district provides a thoroughfare to the beachside boardwalk and to a 17-kilometer walking trail that skirts the city. In about the time it takes to enjoy a cappuccino you can be working it off along the beautiful pathways of Burnie Park through native rain forest to a dramatic oldakerwaterfall.

Or (if you're lucky) you can catch a glimpse of platypus just a few minutes drive east of the city at Fernglade, a tranquil retreat for picnicking or simply meandering along the banks of the Emu River.

Wing's Farm is a privately operated wildlife rescue center that the owners (three generations of family farmers) open up to visitors. All of the animals are rescued and could not survive in the wild, so you get to see Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, and Kangaroos up close with narration from friendly family farmers.

Great lookout just above the port (Wilfred Campbell lookout) offers fantastic view of your ship & surrounding area.

A local attractions bus is on offer for a minimal charge, which starts at the Burnie Discovery Hub (stop 1 on the shuttle bus route) and you can disembark from the bus at any of the stops on the itinerary and catch the next bus approximately 50 minutes later. This gives you enough time to do two (2) or three (3) tours at any of the stops that interests you or simply stay on the bus and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Follow the foreshore boardwalk from Hilder Pde to the western end of West Beach, where there’s a penguin observatory. little baby penguins may be found in burrows from October to February.

Taxi’s are impossible to get and often require collection from Wynyard Airport to which there is no transport! Not a feasible option at all.

Continue south to the renowned Rhododendron Gardens (open August to February) - superb displays of more than 9,000 wild and hybrid rhododendrons in a natural 12-hectare amphitheater. Rhododendron Gardens run a free shuttle from town on many cruise ship days.

Dramatic Cradle Mountain is the rugged jewel of the park and can be seen from Dove Lake on a day visit. A sip's excursion is recommended due to time restraints

Return to the city via Guide Falls - a gentle cascade in summer flowing to a torrent during winter.

Burnie's 20,000 residents enjoy a vibrant shopping district that spills onto the beach for seafood and coffee. The shopping is concentrated in the CBD at West Beach and there are also satellite shopping centres at Upper Burnie, Wivenhoe and Cooee.

Australian Dollar

Free Wi Fi at the Burnie Discovery Hub & many public “hotspots” around town.

Shops are always open when a cruise ship is in town.