Burnie
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Burnie is Tasmania's most westerly city, situated in a rich, fertile
cropping region, the North West coast, on the shore of Bass Strait. Its
busy port connecting Tasmania to the rest of the world. You’ll see the
world of industry in a whole new way at Burnie. Its energetic community
of makers takes the mundane and turns it into an expression of
creativity and invention.
The city once depended on paper manufacturing but these days has
turned industry into an art form. At Creative Paper Tasmania, meet lifesize
paper people, sculpted by local artists, then make your own paper.
Hear about the passion of a man who invented one of the world’s most
popular commercial papers at the mill next door, while fostering
international support for handmade paper, and even planting a
papermaker’s garden on-site.
At nearby cheese maker, Lactos, taste varieties known the world over,
created through a spirit of resourcefulness - and drawing on the talents
of other makers, the local dairy farmers.
Despite an industrial past, the enduring power of nature is everywhere
at Burnie. Wildlife lives in an urban environment and has continued to
thrive alongside industry. Less than a kilometre from the paper mill,
platypus families are quietly at work in the riverbank platypus zone at
Fernglade and can be seen from a walking track that meanders beneath
giant ferns.
At Burnie’s West Beach, huge cranes tower over the port at one end of
the bay and along a boardwalk, at the other end, tiny fairy penguins go
about their business at the Little Penguin Centre. Amble along one of
Burnie’s walking trails or take a tour with an experienced wildlife guide
to discover other wildlife gems, from seabirds to the unique Burnie
burrowing crayfish. Follow the sculpture trail from the waterfront to key
landmarks, as it celebrates the city’s industrious character.
Local inventiveness also leads to unexpected treasures. One of them is
the Noah’s ark of the rhododendron world, Emu Valley Rhododendron
Garden, which preserves rhododendron species from around the globe
on 13 ha of lakes and parkland.
Work by local designers and makers, including paintings, glassware,
ceramics and sculpture, can be seen at the Burnie Regional Art Gallery
and in the gallery and retail area of Creative Paper.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Tasmanian Visitor Information Centre is located in Little Alexander
Street, Burnie and is a great place to start your exploration of Burnie
and the North West region.
Creative Paper is Australia’s largest hand made paper mill, where a
team of dedicated artisans take on the physical work of making paper. It
offers guided tours, art exhibitions, retail showroom and working artists
Burnie,
on location.
The Burnie Regional Art Gallery displays fine art from contemporary to
traditional works, by Australian and local artists.
Pioneer Village Museum - Wander the streetscape of this unique
museum, which houses a treasure trove of almost 20,000 articles
depicting life in the early 1900’s.
Annsleigh Gardens (10 km) Relax in the conservatory tearoom or
explore this diverse 5-acre garden from spring to autumn.
Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden (9 km) is at its best in October and
November but is always a wonderful place to wander the 13ha grounds to see
rhododendrons set amongst small lakes, waterways and native forest.
Guide Falls Alpaca Park (18 km) located near Guide Falls at West
Ridgley; it features alpaca and other animals in a working environment
and an extensive showroom.
Guide Falls (17 km) is a beautiful waterfall at West Ridgley and the most
accessible for the many waterfalls in the area.
Fern Glade Platypus Trail (3 km) is located a few minutes drive east of
Burnie. It is one of the most reliable platypus viewing spots in
Tasmania.
The Little Penguin Observation Centre can be accessed by a short
boardwalk from the city centre along West Beach, here you can
experience fairy penguins.
Lactos Tasmanian Cheese Tasting Centre is the place to taste some of
Tasmania’s best cheeses at the factory door.
Hellyers Road Distillery produces a delightful single malt whisky with its
own distinct Tasmanian flavour. It is made with malted barley, clean
Tasmanian water and aged in oak bourbon casks. A cellar door
experience with gift shop, tastings, tours and a fantastic casual restaurant, open 7 days.
Quinn’s Woodcraft - locally made items from Tasmanian timbers in
Upper Burnie.
Natone Hills Fishery - Fly fish for rainbow and brown trout September to
April in a private fishery.
Burnie Farmers' Market - 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings of each month
at the Wivenhoe Showground.
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