While Burnie might look like a port with a city attached, you shouldn’t rush to dismiss Tasmania’s third-largest city. Located on the Australian island’s north coast, Burnie is within easy reach of the waterfalls, beaches, and inviting small towns of the Cradle Coast. Although the list of things to do in Burnie isn’t particularly long, you won’t find yourself idle anytime soon.
February and March are the best months to visit Burnie, as it’s at this time of year when you’ll enjoy Tasmania’s warm summer weather without the crowds of the Australian school summer break. As for when to avoid coming to Burnie, the winter months of June through August aren’t ideal for outdoor exploration, as they bring wet and windy weather to the coastal city.
Burnie isn’t a large city, so you can walk wherever you need to within the small center. However, it’s likely that you’ll want to explore the outer parts of the city, plus further-flung natural attractions in the coastal region. Public transport is very limited in this part of the state, so driving is the only reliable method for getting out of the city limits.
Tasmania is commonly known for its breweries and wine regions, but just outside Burnie you’ll find one of the most prominent whisky distilleries in northern Tasmania—Hellyers Road Distillery. If you’re looking to spend some time at the beach, head out to Cooee Beach west of the city as it’s generally quieter than West Beach below the Burnie Boardwalk.
