Located in the heart of the North West Coast of Tasmania, Burnie is the Island State’s fourth largest city. With seasonal and year round attractions, Burnie is a must see on any tourist map and the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Cradle Coast Region.

Wildlife is an important aspect of Burnie life, with the main attractions being the Fernglade Platypus Trail and Little Penguin Observation Centre.

Located only a few minutes drive from the city centre, Fernglade is the ideal setting for a picnic lunch followed by platypus viewing.

The Little Penguin Observation Centre is situated on the west side of Burnie Beach. It allows visitors to become aware of these animals and experience their natural living environments. The centre is open all year round, but penguins are only seen for a few months of the year.

Burnie is host to a number of major sporting events, including Australia’s premier road race, the Skilled Burnie Ten (10km road race), held annually in October. Also popular is Burnie’s New Years Day Sports carnival, which has been attracting spectators and athletes for over 100 years.

The Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens are located about 10km south of Burnie. These award winning gardens are best seen in Spring, although still picturesque during the Summer and Autumn months.

National Foods Tasmanian Cheese Tasting Centre is popular with local and interstate visitors. Open Monday to Friday, you can sample some of the world’s best cheeses, which are also available for purchase. Tours of Lactos Cheese Factory are also available.

Some other attractions also include the Creative Paper Mill, Australia’s largest hand-made paper-making mill, the Pioneer Village Museum, depicting life from the early 1900’s, and the Burnie Regional Art Gallery, displaying artworks by local and interstate artists.