Major city · Australia
Penguin
Give Penguin half a day: the Big Penguin, the heritage walk and the Sunday market, then sleep in Burnie or Devonport. One night only if you want the coast at dusk.
Penguin is a small Bass Strait town of about 3,800 people on Tasmania's north-west coast, midway between Burnie and Devonport. It is a timber and mining town turned seaside stop, known for the Big Penguin on Main Street, a 28-stop heritage walk and a Sunday market. Almost everything sits on one street facing the water, so it works as a two-to-three-hour break on the coast drive rather than a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm beach days
- avoid Jun–Aug (wet, windy, 13–14 °C (55–57 °F) days)avoid Jun–Aug (wet, windy, 55–57 °F (13–14 °C) days)
- Airports
- BWT · DPO
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Penguin000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Penguin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are Bass Strait weather, wildlife on the highway at dusk and swimming off an unpatrolled beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · 131 444 police non-emergency (tasmania)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBWT Burnie Airport, Wynyard (About 40 min west by car; regional flights only).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- Budget bedSelf-contained apartment, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- Mid-range bedMotel or pub room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or pub room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BWT Burnie Airport, Wynyard (About 40 min west by car; regional flights only) · DPO Devonport Airport (About 40 min east by car; the usual arrival for Spirit of Tasmania passengers)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Sep
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Penguin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Aug
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes. A car is needed for the cemetery lookout, Gunns Plains and any onward coast stops; Penguin Taxi Service covers short local trips.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Car west on the Bass Highway, about 17 km (11 mi)Car west on the Bass Highway, about 11 mi (17 km)
Makers' Workshop, port and the coast path; the nearest real town.
Door to door: About 35 min
Car east on the Bass Highway
Spirit of Tasmania terminal and the route to Cradle Mountain.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car west past Burnie
Airport and Table Cape; only worth it in tulip season or for a flight.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car west via the Bass Highway
The Nut and the far north-west; too far for a return day.
Door to door: About 3 h
Car south via the B17 and the Murchison Highway
Western wilderness country; sleep there, do not day-trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street (foreshore)
Hotels and apartments on one strip facing the beach; walk to everything.
Burnie or Devonport
Bigger bed stock and later food; 15–30 min by car each way.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or pub room1 × 1 night × A$180 | A$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| Fuel, Burnie to Penguin and back1 × A$12 · check | A$12 |
| Coffee and cake on Main Street2 × A$12 | A$24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$59 |
| Trip total≈ A$323 per person per day, bed included | A$645≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and ferry excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Café lunch | A$18–28 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Pub main | A$25–38 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Motel or pub double room2026 estimate | A$120–280 (≈ US$80–190) |
| Fuel, unleadedcheck | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) per litre |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most food stops close by mid-afternoon; eat before 15:00 or drive to Burnie.Most food stops close by mid-afternoon; eat before 3:00 PM or drive to Burnie.
- The Sunday market runs Sundays only: check the date before planning around it.
- Bass Strait weather turns fast; carry a windproof layer even in summer.
- Fuel and supermarkets are in Burnie or Ulverstone, not in Penguin.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- Police non-emergency (Tasmania)
- 131 444
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PenguinPenguin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Police non-emergency (Tasmania)131 444
Embassy
No consulates in Penguin; the nearest are in Hobart. US, UK, Canadian and other consulates-general are in Melbourne or Sydney.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, Penguin to Burnie: about A$35–50 (≈ US$25–35) (check)
- Taxi, Penguin to Devonport: about A$70–95 (≈ US$50–65) (check)
- Hire car, small, per day: A$60–110 (≈ US$40–75) (check)
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Is the market on today? — Is the market on today?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
Card and phone payment is normal; keep a little cash for the market stalls.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Penguin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm beach days · avoid Jun–Aug (wet, windy, 13–14 °C days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arrival contract for BWT and DPO: last hire-car desk times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, the foreshore and the cemetery lookout.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Big Penguin, the heritage trail and the Sunday market.
- Weather fixtures for Bass Strait wind and rain so the coast drive can go green or red.
Sources
- officialDiscover Tasmania — North West coast
- officialPenguin Heritage Trail
- officialSpirit of Tasmania
- secondaryWikivoyage: Penguin, revision 4784327 (CC BY-SA 4.0)