Holiday houses in Penguin

It’s pretty obvious how the cute little town of Penguin, on Tasmania’s northwest coast, got its name — penguins abound here, thanks to a rookery on the nearby beach bluff between Ulverstone and Burnie that’s known as Penguin Point. Even if you don’t manage to spot a real penguin during your stay, there are plenty of manmade penguins to have a photo with around town, including an impressive three-metre tall statue named Big Penguin, built to commemorate the town’s centenary in 1975.

But Penguin isn’t just about admiring feathered friends. There is also a spectacular coastal drive nearby, between Ulverstone and Wynyard, and plenty of scenic walking tracks across the Dial Range. On Sundays, the town hosts a huge undercover market, with more than 200 stalls that sell local produce, wine, crafts, and second-hand items. Kids will also love the miniature railway that runs alongside Johnson’s Beach on certain days of the month.

Penguin attracts visitors all year round, although many like to time their visit according to the activity of the local fairy penguins. From September to January, the penguins are breeding and raising their chicks on the beaches, making it the best time to observe them in their natural habitat (make sure to keep your distance). From June to July, you can often spot the penguins building their nests. The best and safest way to see the birds is by joining a penguin viewing tour, several of which run at these times of the year. The weather in Penguin is also fairly temperate all year round, but winter can get cold so be sure to pack your woollies.

Penguin spotting

A chance to see penguins in the wild is one of the main draws in this Tasmanian town. For most of the year, the penguins gather in a rookery between Ulverstone and Burnie, but they come ashore to lay their eggs in burrows. But even if you aren’t fortunate enough to see them in the wild, there are plenty of opportunities to spot manmade penguin structures in town.

Penguin market

Every Sunday, Penguin hosts a large undercover market in an old school building. There are over 100 stalls where you can sample local produce, as well as pick up all kinds of great handmade goods including woodwork and pottery. The market has been running for 20 years, and also opens from Wednesday until Saturday, but with fewer stalls.

Miniature railway

While you could spend lots of time happily wandering the coastline around Penguin, there’s also a miniature railway that’s a big hit with families. It’s open on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from April until October, and offers a fun ride and some great views.