Plan a CruiseBurnie Cruise Port Guide
Burnie, a working seaport in Tasmania, Australia, offers a warm welcome with a unique volunteer greet and meet program for cruise passengers. Due to the port's active nature, the only way to enter or exit the dockside is via a complimentary shuttle bus service. This shuttle will transport you from the ship to the Burnie Discovery Hub (Little Alexander Street), which includes an Arts Centre and Museum, and also makes a stop at the Burnie Waterfront. The cruise terminal itself is very close to downtown Burnie, approximately 1 to 2 kilometers away.
Burnie was settled in 1827 as Emu Bay, predating Melbourne, and its early history was shaped by dense rainforests and later, a prominent pulp and paper mill. Today, the city offers a blend of heritage and natural beauty, including the Little Penguin Observation Centre at Parsonage Point (free, with guides from September to March around sunset) and a 17-kilometer foreshore boardwalk. You can also explore Burnie Park to discover native rainforest and the dramatic Oldaker Waterfall, or try to spot platypus at Fernglade, just a short drive east of the city. For panoramic views of your ship and the surrounding area, visit the Wilfred Campbell Lookout above the port.
Getting Around from the Port
As Burnie is a busy working port, the free shuttle bus provided by the port is the only means of transport for passengers to exit and enter the dockside. This shuttle runs to the Burnie Discovery Hub (which is the first stop) and the Burnie Waterfront.
From the Burnie Discovery Hub (shuttle stop 1), you can access a local attractions bus for a minimal charge. This hop-on/hop-off service allows you to explore various points of interest, with buses running approximately every 50 minutes. This offers flexibility to visit two or three sites or simply enjoy the scenic route.
Taxis are not a feasible option in Burnie. They are reportedly very difficult to obtain and often require collection from Wynyard Airport, which has no direct transport from Burnie. Therefore, relying on taxis is strongly discouraged.
Many attractions within the city, such as the Little Penguin Observation Centre (along the foreshore boardwalk), the Pioneer Village Museum, and Burnie Park with its Oldaker Waterfall, are accessible via the local attractions bus or by walking from the town center. The Rhododendron Gardens, located south of town, often run a free shuttle service from the town center on cruise ship days. For destinations like Fernglade (platypus spotting) or Wing's Farm (wildlife rescue), the local attractions bus or a pre-arranged tour would be necessary.
Attractions and Activities
With 8-10 hours in port, Burnie offers a mix of urban exploration and natural encounters:
- Explore Burnie's Town Center & Discovery Hub: Start at the Burnie Discovery Hub, where the complimentary shuttle drops you. This hub includes an Arts Centre and Museum, and offers free Wi-Fi. From here, you can board the local attractions bus (minimal charge) to explore further.
- Little Penguin Observation Centre: Head to Parsonage Point along the foreshore boardwalk. This free attraction offers guides around sunset from September to March, and you might spot baby penguins in their burrows between October and February. It's easily accessible via the foreshore boardwalk, likely from the Burnie Waterfront shuttle stop or a local bus stop.
- Pioneer Village Museum: Dive into Burnie's history, from its early pioneers to the present day. This is likely a stop on the local attractions bus route or walkable from the town center.
- Burnie Park & Oldaker Waterfall: Enjoy a walk through native rainforest pathways in Burnie Park, leading to the dramatic Oldaker Waterfall. This is accessible as part of the 17-kilometer walking trail that skirts the city, starting near the central business district.
- Wing's Farm Wildlife Rescue Center: This privately operated center allows you to see rescued Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, and Kangaroos up close. Family farmers provide narration about the animals. Requires transport, likely accessible via the local attractions bus or a short drive.
- Rhododendron Gardens: (Open August to February) Journey south of town to discover a superb display of over 9,000 wild and hybrid rhododendrons across 12 hectares. A free shuttle often runs from town on many cruise ship days.
- Cradle Mountain: While a dramatic and iconic Tasmanian destination, a visit to Cradle Mountain (part of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park) is strongly recommended as a ship's excursion due to the significant travel time involved, making independent travel challenging within an 8-10 hour port call.
Dining & Shopping
Burnie's central business and shopping district is vibrant and concentrated at West Beach, spilling onto the beachfront where you can find various establishments offering seafood and coffee. You'll find a range of shops and services within easy reach of the shuttle drop-off points. A convenient tip for cruisers: shops in Burnie are always open when a cruise ship is in port. Free Wi-Fi is available at the Burnie Discovery Hub and at many public "hotspots" throughout town.
Safety
A significant practical warning for visitors is the extreme difficulty in securing a taxi. Taxis are reported to be impossible to get and often require collection from Wynyard Airport, which itself lacks direct transport options. Therefore, relying on taxis is not a feasible transport option in Burnie.