There is lots to see and do on the central coast and in this blog I will cover the must see attractions in Burnie and Penguin, There is a lot of hidden gems you will see Waterfalls, mountain bike tracks and lots of walking tracks. Also in summer I could see this area being very popular for swimming.
Burnie Camp Ground
We free camped at Cooee point you can stay here for free for 48 hours you can sign up for a permit Here. You must be fully self contained. This campsite has no facilities, there is a fresh water tap and a dump point just down the road and also bins. For camping non self contained vehicles or Tents there is Burnie caravan Park located at Cooee. The powered sites start from $30 per night click Here for more information and booking.
Burnie Park and Oldaker Falls
Oldaker falls is a small waterfall located in the south of Burnie park. It is a short 800 meter and 10 minute return walk out to the waterfall. It’s a beautiful walk through the park as you follow the creek up to the waterfall. I can imagine this waterfall would be really flowing after some heavy rainfall. Burnie park has a playground, Barbecues and public toilet facilities.
Guide Falls
Located in Ridgely 20 minutes drive out of Burnie. There is a upper carpark is only a 50 meter walked to the lookout of the falls or there is a lower car park which is about 700 meter return trip. The walk follows beside Guide creek you will wander along the path and be able to stand right underneath the falls. Be carefully the rocks here can be very slippery. Once you have ventured under the waterfall make your way up the staircase to the upper lookout. It is a very easy walk from either of the carparks and well worth the trip out to guide falls.
Burnie foreshore
In the South of Burnie along the foreshore you will find the Pulp paper Trail. Which is to honour the men and women who worked at Burnie’s pulp and paper mill, Between 1937 and 2010. Along the Foreshore in the town of Burnie you will follow a board walk to the end.
Fern glade park
This park is part of the 60 great short walks in Tasmania. Less than 4 km out of the town of Burnie you will find Fern Glade park. There is a easy level track following the Emu river the return walk is 1 km return. If your lucky you may spot a platypus in the river.
Sulphur Creek Camp ground
We camped at Sulphur creek there is 3 campsites to choose from along preservation drive all the camped sites are for fully self contained vehicles only. For Non self contained vehicles or Tents there is Penguin caravan park powered sites start from $40 per night for more information and bookings click Here. Penguin is a quiet little coastal town with a a highlight of the town being the 10 foot penguin statue. On Sundays there is the largest indoor market with over 200 stores where you can purchase local food, wine and crafts. In the evening head to Midway point where you can see the penguins come in at night.
Penguin mountain bike track
Penguin mountain bike track is located 2km outside of Penguin the park features more than 6km of cross country single riding tracks. In the center of the old speedway track there is jumps, wall rides and a small skills park. This park is suitable to all levels of riders. This part of the mountain bike track is a great entry into the more challenging rides in the dial ranges. Check out the mountain bike track map Here. For a map of the dial ranges track download the app Trail forks the tracks are much more challenging there is two loops a green trail called the Montgomery loop and a blue trail called Iron tor, this trail goes to the summit of Mt Dia
Mount Montgomery and Mount Dial-Mt Gnomon
If you would like you can also walk to the summit of these two mountains there is a separate walking trail to the summits. The circuit to Mount Montgomery is rated as Hard, its a 4.7km 2 hour return circuit. We left the bike at the bottom and hiked to the summit. It was very steep and slippery but well worth it for the views up the top. For Mt dial its a 5 hour return trip there is also a Carpark at Gnomon park from here its a 6km round trip to Mount dial via Mt gnomon.
Other Walking Trails
This area also offers a variety from Gnomon carpark you have the Tall trees small circuit track which is 1.6km return walk. Then from ferndene car park you have Thorsby tunnel walk which is 2km return walk. You also have Ferndene dry walk which is 1.4km return walk check out more information on these walks Here.
Penguin
When you walk around the town of penguin. You will spot the giant 10 foot Penguin statue as well as other smaller penguin statues along the main street. This town is such a cute little quirky town on the Central coast.
Click Here to watch the Vlog on this destination.