Making the most of Burnie Tasmania
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Burnie provides a distinctive volunteer meet-and-greet programme.
A complimentary shuttle serves every cruise passenger and crew member, with hosts helping visitors travel from the port to Burnie Discovery Hub, Arts Centre and Museum. A separate stop is provided at Burnie Waterfront.
Downtown Burnie lies very close to the terminal, approximately 1 to 2 kilometres away.
Burnie Port is an exceptionally busy working harbour, so the provided shuttle buses are the only permitted way to enter or leave the dockside area.
Burnie Discovery Hub stands on Little Alexander Street.
Established as Emu Bay in 1827, before Melbourne, Burnie was first shaped by the towering rainforests covering the land and, over a century later, by the pulp and paper mill that helped create today’s city.
Pioneer Village Museum brings Burnie’s past to life, recounting the pioneers’ trials, tribulations and everyday details through to the modern period.
At Little Penguin Observation Centre on Parsonage Point beside the waterfront boardwalk, guides attend around sunset from September to March. Admission is free.
Burnie’s central business and retail area lies close to the sand and surf, leading directly to a waterfront boardwalk and a 17-kilometre path around the city. In the time needed to drink a cappuccino, visitors can begin walking through native rainforest in Burnie Park towards the dramatic Oldaker waterfall.
Visitors may also glimpse platypus just a few minutes east of Burnie at Fernglade, a peaceful place for picnics and walks beside the Emu River.
Wing’s Farm is a privately run wildlife rescue centre opened to visitors by three generations of the farming family. Every animal was rescued and cannot survive in the wild, allowing close views of Tasmanian devils, wombats and kangaroos with commentary from friendly family farmers.
Wilfred Campbell lookout above the harbour provides an excellent view of the ship and surrounding landscape.
Getting around
A low-cost local-attractions bus leaves Burnie Discovery Hub, stop 1 on the shuttle route. Passengers may alight at any itinerary stop and board the following service about 50 minutes later. This provides enough time for two (2) or three (3) tours at chosen stops, or guests can remain aboard to enjoy the scenery.
Follow the waterfront boardwalk from Hilder Pde to the west end of West Beach, where a penguin observatory stands. Small penguin chicks may occupy burrows from October to February.
Taxis are almost impossible to obtain and may require collection from Wynyard Airport, which has no transport connection. They are therefore not a practical option.
Nearby places
Continue south to the well-known Rhododendron Gardens, open August to February, where more than 9,000 wild and hybrid rhododendrons grow in a natural 12-hectare amphitheatre. A complimentary shuttle operates from town on many cruise-call days.
Rugged Cradle Mountain is the park’s dramatic centrepiece and can be viewed from Dove Lake during a day visit. A ship’s excursion is recommended because time is limited.
Return towards the city through Guide Falls, a mild summer cascade that becomes a torrent in winter.
Food and shopping
Burnie’s 20,000 residents enjoy a busy shopping area extending to the beach for seafood and coffee. Retail concentrates around the CBD at West Beach, with further centres at Upper Burnie, Wivenhoe and Cooee.
Money
The currency is the Australian dollar.
Staying connected
Burnie Discovery Hub and numerous public hotspots around town provide complimentary Wi-Fi.
Opening Hours and
Local shops are always open when a cruise vessel is visiting.