Burnie
Situated on Emu Bay at the mouth of the Emu River, Burnie is Tasmania's third largest city and port for the rich agricultural and mineral mining activities of the region. Burnie is a major deepwater port for the north of Tasmania, with two permanent container ships making daily crossings to Melbourne. Burnie is very much a city in transition.
Driven by the need to renew its economic base after the closure of major industrial works, it is actively campaigning to bolster tourism, attract new investment and build the capacity of residents to develop businesses of their own. This move is appropriate and timely as Burnie makes a great base for exploring the region due to its central position and extensive facilties.
Burnie's location - midway along the Bass Strait coast of Tasmania's worth west - makes it an ideal base from which to explore the north west region of the state. It has a wide range of accommodation and a big business and shopping precinct, to ensure every need for the traveller is catered for.
Where Is it?: Burnie is 149 km north west of Launcestion via Bass Highway, 47 km west of Devonport.
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Around Town
Burnie Regional Museum provides a detailed account of the history of the city of Burnie. Wander the charming Federation Street and see how ordinary people lived 100 years ago. The Museum has a beautiful range of vintage and antique-inspired gifts, quality educational gifts for children, Tasmanian history books and historical novels and souvenirs. You can also purchase reprints of historical photographs from our collection.
There are not too many places in Australia - or the world for that matter - that offer the visitor something so unique you will be hard pressed to find anything like it elsewhere. The City of Burnie has managed to achieve this in one of its premier visitor attractions - Makers' Workshop. Drawing on the city s heritage as a leading industrial centre, Makers Workshop salutes the role of paper manufacturing in its past, while honouring the skills of its makers, innovators and artists of its present and future.
Serving the north-west and west coasts of Tasmania, the Gallery has a fine permanent collection, and the focus is on works on paper, including many fine prints by some of Australia s most famous artists. This reflects the importance of the paper industry in Burnie s past history. Location: Burnie Arts and Function Centre, Wilmot St, Burnie.
Just about every town and city has a park where one can go to relax and enjoy a little 'quiet time', but few are as pretty and enjoyable as Burnie Park.
Located on the Bass Highway just west of the city centre, overlooking West Park Oval and Bass Strait, it features lush sweeping lawns, shady walkways and mature exotic trees. The Park is divided by a natural waterway, which adds greatly to its ambience. At the higher end of the park, away from Bass Highway, a walking trail winds its way through a rare stip of natural rainforest up to where the waterway tumbles over Oldaker Falls.
The ground was purchased by the Council in 1927 and originally formed part of an extensive private garden, but has evolved into much loved public space with pathways, spaces for reflection and community celebrations such as Easter Sundays Kids in the Park and Carols by Candlelight celebrations. Modern playground equipment is provided as well as free barbecues.The park features seasonal annual garden beds and a developed landscape, with numerous exotic and native trees and abundant lawns for passive recreation.
Emu River enters the sea on Emu Bay, Burnie, close to the city centre. The river valley contains a strip of tranquil virgin rainforest featuring tree ferns. Early in the morning or at dusk, the duck-billed platypus may be seen walking along logs on the bank or swimming upstream. Other animals seen here include quolls, poteroos (a small wallaby) and wombats. Facilities at the reserve include parking, a river vieing platform, walking tracks, toilets, picnic tables and barbecues.
There are a number of Fairy or Little Penguin nesting grounds along the north-west coast of Tasmania, including one in the city of Burnie itself, which makes it one of the most convenient places to see these cute creatures in their natural habitat. Located at the end of West Beach and the boardwalk behind the Makers' Workshop and University of Tasmania facility is Burnie's Little Penguin Observation Centre, which overlooks the nesting area.
From the Centre and surrounding boardwalk, it is possible to view little penguins each night around dusk, particularly between the months of October to March. During those months, volunteers guides are on hand and point out the penguins with their special torches, as well as provide any information not found on the informative display panels at the Little Penguin Observation Centre. The winds blowing off Bass Strait can be quite cold at nights, so be sure to wear clothing that will protect you from the wind. The boardwalk is wheelchair and children friendly.
Burnie is a city that erupted at the peak of the international architectural movement known as Art Deco. It is a celebration of the modern age and an advertisement for the bright future that was to come about as a result of industrialisation of the age.
Most significantly the potent hydro electricity generated by Tasmania's Hydro Electric Commission (HEC) was able to attract new industry despite the depression years. In Burnie that new industry came in the form of the Australian Pulp and Paper Mill, known locally as "the Pulp". Between them the Hydro and the Pulp were responsible for a series of striking commercial and industrial buildings and also for a network of smart private homes to comfortably house the new executives that came to town.
West Beach, Burnie
The town is located on low ground in lee of Parsonage and Blackman points, with the port in lee of Blackman Point. Wharfs and breakwaters extend nearly 1 km east of Blackman Point providing more shelter and anchorage for shipping. Today the port and its facilities form the eastern boundary of Burnie, while West Beach forms the northern. The beach is located adjacent to the main business area and is backed by both a road and railway line. Wedged in between the railway and the sand is a reserve containing the Burnie Surf Life Saving Club, which was established in 1921, a large elongate car park, playground and picnic facilities. The beach is composed of medium sand, which combines with the usually low waves to produce a moderately steep narrow high tide beach, which widens up to 100 m at low tide. West Beach is relatively safe under normal low wave conditions, with best swimming at mid to high tide. However care must be taken to avoid the rocks at both ends and in the centre, and during higher waves when there is a heavy shorebreak.
South Burnie Beach commences on the eastern side of the rock jetty and trends to the east-southeast for 750 m to the sandy mouth of the Emu River. The low gradient beach is narrow at high tide widening to a 100 m wide low tide terrace at low tide, with the river draining across the western end. It is backed by a vegetated reserve, with parking at the western end adjacent to the jetty.
Wivenhoe Beach extends east of the shallow river mouth for 1.3 km to the rocky base of 225 m high Round Hill. The beach is relatively straight and narrow with a 100 m wide low tide terrace and a few rock flats towards the eastern end. A seawall has been constructed in front of the Naval Reserve building towards the centre of the beach, while the remainder is backed by a narrow reserve, the highway and then South Burnie. There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach.
Cooee Beach
Cooee Beach commences at the reef-tied foreland and curves to the east for 600 m to the base of the low Cooee Point, which protrudes 300 m seaward. It is a sandy high tide beach, paralleled by a 50 m wide band of mid tide sand, then 50-100 m wide low tide rock flats, with sandy seafloor beyond. A grassy reserve backs the beach, with car parking at the eastern end, and the highway and Cooee township behind. There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach.
Camdale Beach
Camdale beach commences at the reef-tied point that forms the eastern boundary of the 50 m wide Cam River entrance. The beach initially protrudes in lee of the reef and then curves to the east for 1.4 km to the next reef-tied foreland. Intertidal rock reefs dominate the western half of the beach, with a 100 m wide low tide bar along the eastern half then the boundary reef. A narrow grassy reserve aparalleling the highay backs the beach. There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach.
Somerset Beach
Somerset Beach is narrow at high tide with a sandy low gradient mid tide, grading at low tide into two sandy channels bordered by intertidal rock flats. Waves depend on wind conditions, with low wave to calm conditions during westerlies, but higher waves during onshore and easterly conditions. The entire beach is backed by a coastal reserve, with sporting facilities located at the wider western end, then Somerset road and township. The Somerset Surf Life Saving Club is located towards the east end of the beach where sand delivered by the river spreads out over the rock flats and forms a low tide ridge. The Anzac Park picnic area is located across the road from the surf club.
The Cam River estuary is located in Somerset roughly halfway between the township of Wynyard and the city of Burnie. The northern part of the Cam River forms part of the boundary between the City of Burnie and Waratah-Wynyard local government areas. Located along the western banks of the river, Cam River Reserve is a popular recreational area at all times of the year. It is a safe fishing spot where the family can have a picnic at the tables and barbecues provided. Small boats, kayaks and canoes can be launched from the boat ramp.
Public toilets, fresh drinking water and electric barbecue facilities are available. This Park is known locally as the "Boat Park" because a local service club has erected a large wooden boat for children to play on. The Boat is called "Port Maldon" in recognition of the ship building history of this area of the Cam River. Playground equipment specifically designed to cater for younger aged children is located adjacent to the boat. Warning signs for swimmers are located in this area advising swimmers of strong currents.
In The Area: Day Trips
A 20 minute scenic drive south of Burnie past the township of Ridgley, Guide Falls is the most accessible waterfall in the Burnie hinterland. Take the easy 10 minute walk to the base of the waterfalls. Climb the steep stairs to the top platform for viewing accessed from the side entrance to the lower falls track. You can drive and park your car there also. At the lower car park there is a picnic area with BBQs.
The falls has water flowing year round but are most spectacular in winter and spring.
Location: 245 West Ridgley Road, Ridgley
Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden has about 20,000 plants on an 11ha landscaped site, just a ten-minute drive south of Burnie. The 11-hectare/28-acre garden features over 22,000 select rhododendrons and companion plants, creating a spectacular display between August and January each year. Colourful autumn foliage makes April a good time to visit, too. In addition to the hybrid rhododendrons familiar to gardeners, you can see many wild species of rhododendrons planted to reflect their geographical origins - from Asia Minor, across the Himalayas to China, Japan and to North America.
You can take a number of walks through the Gardens to enjoy the plants and tranquillity of this lush environment. Platypus, echidna, and diverse bird life are routinely sighted, and plantings are enhanced by a number of landscape features include gazebos, bridges, waterways, and a fountain.
The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is a partner garden of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
The entrance to Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park is around a 1hour 30 minute drive from Burnie. Australia's most recognisable mountain, Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mtn. Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The familiar jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while abundant wildlife, icy streams, alpine heathlands, colourful deciduous beech and ancient pines reflected in still glacial lakes entice many visitors to stay and explore.
A day drive from Burnie up the north west coast is highly recommended. The drive can include Wynyard, Table Cape, picturesque village of Boat Harbour, Stanley and Circular Head, Rocky Cape National Park, Smithton, and Marrawah on the west coast. Simply follow Bass Highway west from Burnie. Off the main road you will find Trowutta caves and arch; Hellyer Gorge State Reserve; Allendale Gardens at Edith Creek. The coastal towns of Ulverstone (16km) and Penguin (28km) are to the east of Burnie on the road to Devonport. There are numerous waterfalls to visit, including Dip Falls and the giant eucalyptus tree and Guide Falls. Another recommended day trip from Burnie is a driving tour of the Great Western Tiers.
The Great Western Tiers are the northern face of the Tasmanian Central Plateau, which rises up to 1420m above sea level and is dominated by Cradle Mountain. In the foothills of the Great Western Tiers can be found a wide range of attractions both man made and natural which can be explored on this drive.
Allow a full day for the drive; add additional time if you are contemplating taking any of the bushwalks in the area or spending more time than a quick visit. The Great Western Tiers are the gateway to Tasmania's best known National Parks - Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair and Walls Of Jerusalem - as well as an alternative route to the west coast of Tasmania.
The cape is actually a volcanic plug which rises to about 190 metres above sea level. The cape is planted with tulip fields that are a blaze of colour in spring. The area is also famous for its lily fields. The cape's lighthouse and a lookout offer expansive views inland along the north coast and out to Bass Strait.
The Lighthouse was commissioned in 1888 and was manned by three keepers until 1920 when it was automated. It has rarely been open to the public, until 2010, after decades of lobbying by the local council and tourism authorities. Visitors can now take the 45 minute tour around the precinct and up the spiral staircase, stopping on the way to gaze out onto the magnificent views from the windows.
The cape's premier attraction in spring is Table Cape Tulip Farm, the home home of Van Diemen Quality Bulbs. They are specialist flower bulb producers and farmers who grow more than just tulips. The farm also specialises in Liliums and Dutch Iris as well as many other bulbs and plants which we sell directly to customers through our mail order and online catalogue.
During late September through to mid October the farm explodes with colour. Each year at this time the farm is opened up to visitors to walk in the tulips. Best viewing is normally from end of the first week to the end of the second week in October During the farm's spring open days, visitors can enjoy an impressive indoor display featuring floral arrangements, souvenirs, Devonshire teas, an art gallery, potted tulips, cut flowers and information on growing bulbs. The open days are a lure for photographers who have the opportunity to take fantastic shots utilising backdrops of Bass Strait, the lighthouse and the surrounding rich farmlands to showcase the vista of colourful blooming fields.
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Table Cape from Wynyard
More or less circular in shape, Table Cape was originally a volcanic lake which flowed in a southerly direction forming the hills of the nearby Flowerfale area, and also laid a basalt cap on Fossil Bluff. As it weathered down this basalt rock formed some of the richest agricultural land in Tasmania. It is red in colour due to the high iron conent. Table Cape is one of a number of large volcanic plugs on the north west coast of Tasmania on the shores of Bass Strait. It was once a lava lake (hence its flatness). The rock is a Tertiary teschenite (a course grained basalt). The tuffs and breccias of the old crater are cut back by the erosional effects of the sea during level changes, leaving the solid neck as a promontory.
The Tommeginner tribe of Aboriginals traversed the area before and after the arrival of Europeans in the 19th century, living along the coastline, building fish traps at Freestone Cove and hunting for game on the inland coastal plains.
In 1798 George Bass and Matthew Flinders sailed in their sloop 'Norfolk" through Bass Strait, and named the large promontory Table Cape, which has now become the local landmark. The Table Cape area was first developed by the Van Diemen's Land Company in the 1820's, making it one of the oldest European settlement areas in Australia, preceding Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane.
The first white settlers west of the Inglis River was the King family, that took up land in the early 1840s. Back then, the cape had trees up to 12 metres in diameter at the base; the area was stripped of these huge stringybark eucalyptus gum trees in the late 19th century by timber cutters. When European settlement began, the beautiful red loam of the Cape was found to be most suitable for the growing of potatoes, peas, onions and corn and the raising of sheep and cattle, and more recently has changed to the cultivation of poppies, pyrethrum and tulips.
Table Cape is the remains a volcanic plug which rises to about 170 metres above sea level on the north-west coast of Tasmania. Located on Table Cape, Fossil Bluff is an unusual geological structure comprising glacial Permian Tillite, sandstone and basalt.
There is a small beach and the rocks at either end of the beach are characterised by shells which have been caught and fossilised. Embedded into the shore rocks and visible at low tide are Australia's oldest marsupial fossils. The beds of tillite are believed to have been created 275 million years ago, according to the Geology Department of the University of Tasmania. The were formed as boulder clay from a large glacier as the ice melted, and was later consolidated by a load of ice and other rocks on it.
Near high water mark close to the cliff face of Fossil Bluff there are many blocks of very fossiliferous sandstone or siltstone, which have fallen from the cliffs above. The cliffs contain a succession of light coloured rocks, scarcely consolidated sands and limey silts which were deposited on a beach and in a shallow bay some 22 million years ago. Fossil Bluff was named, but not discovered, by Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer, a controversial scientist who served for many years as president of the Victorian Football League (now AFL).
Boat Harbour Beach would have to be one of Australia's Top Ten beaches. Picturesque Boat Harbour Beach is noted for its clean, white sands, rock and coral formations and its crystal clear blue waters. At low tide, you may see abalone on the rocks. Precious stones are found in the rocks, and look out for fairy rings in the grass.
Experience sweeping views of Bass Strait from the Rocky Cape Lighthouse, banksia dotted hillsides, and dramatic cliffs and coastal caves, combined with cultural history, as Rocky Cape has strong links to the Aboriginal community. Many of the bays along the coast are sheltered and tranquil, while the headlands experience the full force of the sea and wind.
Much of the vegetation in the park is low lying, wind and salt tolerant coastal heath. These heathlands flower during spring and summer, giving colour to the surrounding hills.which run down to the water where there are caves with a history of Aboriginal occupation.
Rocky Cape National Park, although small, offers visitors a varied experience on Tasmania 's coast. Here you can learn about Aboriginal life on the north-west coast. Swimming, fishing, boating and walking are popular activities. There are pleasant day and half-day walks over the hills from either Sisters Beach or from the lighthouse at the western end of the Park. Rocky Cape s unpolluted waters regularly attract dolphins and seals. At low tide on a calm day, the rocky foreshore reveals numerous rock pools inhabited by a variety of colourful fish and plants.
Within the park there is a picnic area with tables and a gas barbecue at Mary Ann Cove. Toilet facilities are available at Burgess Cove and Mary Ann Cove in Rocky Cape National Park. Drinking water is not available in the park.
Swimming, fishing, boating and bushwalking are popular activities. The park offers a fascinating variety of walks, ranging from less than 20 minutes to a full day. These take in Aboriginal rock shelters and caves, scenic hills full of wildflowers and birds, and tranquil beaches, bays and rocky headlands.
Leven Canyon is a 250 metre deep ravine that is part of a wildlife corridor from the coast to Cradle Mountain. The Leven River runs through 300-metre limestone cliffs carved through the Loongana Range, down to Bass Strait.
The canyon is a little-known tourist destination in Tasmania but is well woth a visit. A viewing platform offers spectacular views of Black Bluff, the canyon itself and the surrounding areas. Location: 55 km south of Burnie by road.
Hidden beneath the picturesque farmland of Gunn Plains is a fascinating world of caves, sinkholes and underground streams. Many beautiful cave formations are present, such as stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and a large array of dazzling flowstone are present in the public section of the cave. The caves host an assortment of wildlife, being inhabited by the endangered Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish, Platypus, freshwater fish and eels.
Three Sisters Reserve
