Founded in 1827, it was originally named Emu Bay, then renamed after William Burnie, in the early 1840s. As of 2019, Burnie had an urban population of 19,550
Burnie is a port city on the north-west coast of Tasmania’s North West Coast, overlooking Emu Bay. The city has a proud industrial past and is a vibrant place to visit. Dense rainforest once surrounded Burnie, but this slowly disappeared as fortunes were made felling and milling timber for its now closed pulp mill. Since its closure, the city has reinvented itself as a city of makers and creators.
For nature lovers or those just wanting to stretch their legs, there are several waterfalls on the city’s edge, good bushwalks and on the way into (or out of) town there’s a stunning 12-hectare rhododendron garden.
Also nearby is the Fernglade Platypus Sanctuary.
Burnie is a 35-min drive (49 km) west of Devonport and around a 90-min drive (110 km) from Cradle Mountain.
Quick Facts
Burnie is an Urban Location area within the local government area of Burnie in Tasmania, it is located approximately 235kms from the capital Hobart and extends over an area of 1.344 square kilometres. Burnie has a recorded population of 596 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Daylight Time zone Australia/Hobart.
If you are planning a visit to Burnie we’ve put together some of the things you can see or do while you are here. These include, places to stay, tours and attractions, some upcoming events and places where you can grab a meal. Go ahead, try one of the buttons above. Every destination has something worth seeing so start exploring… If you know Burnie and think we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll share it here.