Burnie Tasmania

[roberts2005]

Looking to make arrangements for a private tour guide to escort two couples from the Statendam. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[KiwiIan]

Looking to make arrangements for a private tour guide to escort two couples from the Statendam. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Try the Burnie Council Information web site, they have a link to their travel centre who can probably help with recommendations. Google this or view my other posts and i have given info on ports of call for Aus and NZ that may be of help. To view my other posts just click on my name on the post and you can choose to view all my posts [ great feature of CC] Regards Ian [Tauranga NZ]

[roberts2005]

Thanks Ian. I have emailed the travel centre and they have responded. Would love to hear from any one who has done anything on their own.

[KiwiIan]

Thanks Ian. I have emailed the travel centre and they have responded. Would love to hear from any one who has done anything on their own.

Pleased to help. Have a great trip but dont forget us here in NZ. Regards Ian {tauranga]

[stebul]

I highly recommend a trip to Wing's Animal Farm. It is a wildlife rescue sanctuary operated by three generations of farmers. You will see a large varitey of native animals close up, including Tasmanian devils and wallabies. All of the animals are injured and could not survive on their own. It is about a 45 minute ride from Burnie. Everyone we talked to thought this was one of the highlights of the entire cruise.

[roberts2005]

We are two couples. I've been looking at hiring a driver for the day. Wing's Animal farm is one of the stops we're looking at. Did you do anything else in Burnie?

[stebul]

Burnie is an industrial town developing a tourist industry after tough times following the closure of a paper pulp plant. You will hear throughout Tasmania and the South Island about how changes to the global wood products market has impacted local economies and created a greater reliance on tourism.

 

The town goes all out for cruise ship visitors by providing free buses that circulate between the ship and the downtown area (about 5 minutes away). One of the stops was the local Tourist Board, where some taxis and tour operators met passengers. The ship docks at a working port that does not allow taxis near the ship, and does not allow pedestrian traffic. You will see a huge pile of wood chips near the ship, and watch for the unique way trucks are offloaded.

 

I exchanged some emails with Cradle Mountain Tours to arrange a tour for a group of 4, but 2 of our group did not go on the cruise and in the end decided to go with a HAL excursion that went to Wings Farm and Gunns Plains Cave. The scenery along the way is spectacular: verdant undulating hills dotted with sheep farms. The Farm and Caves are very close to each other (about 4 minutes), and are about a 45 minute drive from Burnie. Both have been operated by proud and dedicated local families for generations. Wings Farm is a definite highlight. The Caves are smaller than some you will have seen in the US and show some signs of smoke damage, but the owner's commentary about the history of the Caves makes it a worthwhile stop. If you have mobility challenges the Caves are not a good idea as you have to duck walk, climb steep stairs, and descend ladders while in tight spaces.

 

The HAL tour took about 4 hours. After that we walked through the downtown area for about an hour. There are antique shops, restaurants, and discount stores. Most of all, we appreciated the slower pace of life and glimpses of a functional small downtown business district that serves the needs of the local population.

[roberts2005]

Have found a local tour operator who will meet us at the local tourist office. He will take us to the animal farm. My question at this point is it worth the ride to cradle mountain. I think the ride is a long one.

[true salt]

G'day, after spending 6 years living in Tassie, I can tell you the trip to Cradle Mountain is a MUST. Burnie is just an industrial town, so get out and see what a gorgeous place Tassie really is, with Cradle Mountain a definite highlight:)

[roberts2005]

true salt

 

How far a ride is it to it to Cradle Mountain? What is a suggested route from Burnie? I'm concerned about being too far away from the port.

 

 

Thanks