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Major city · Australia

Ulverstone

Give Ulverstone one night as a Leven River stop between Devonport and Burnie; add a second only if you want the Leven Canyon or Gunns Plains Caves.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Ulverstone is a small seaside town on Tasmania's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Leven River, roughly halfway between Devonport and Burnie. The town itself is a couple of hours on foot: riverfront parkland, a main street of cafes and shops, and an evening penguin walk at Lillico Beach. The real reason to stay longer is inland, where the Leven Canyon and Gunns Plains Caves sit within a 30-minute drive. Most travellers pass through on the Bass Highway; a night here breaks the Devonport–Burnie run and puts the canyon in reach for a morning.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Nov–Apr
avoid Jun–Aug (wet, cool, short days)
Airports
DPO · BWT
Nights
1–2
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 ▾

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 Ulverstone000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112

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 Ulverstone, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • BeerDraught beerA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$15–35 (≈ US$10–25)
  • Museum or sight ticketKaydale Lodge Gardens entrycheckA$5 (≈ US$4)
  • Budget bedHostel or backpacker bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or pub double room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedMotel or pub double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)

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.

Leven River and its waterfront parklandLillico Beach penguin viewingLeven Canyon and Gunns Plains CavesCradle Coast Farmers Market
Airports
DPO Devonport Airport (About 30 min east by car; the usual arrival point for the northwest coast.) · BWT Burnie Airport (Wynyard) (About 40 min west by car.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Ulverstone: 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

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Feb

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

7 rd

Mar

20°C (68°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

May

15°C (59°F)

7°C (45°F)

13 rd

Jun

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

14 rd

Jul

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

15 rd

Aug

14°C (57°F)

5°C (41°F)

15 rd

Sep

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

14 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

Nov

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

10 rd

Dec

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 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 centre is walkable: most of it sits within a 15-minute walk. The Bass Highway loops around the south of town with closely spaced exits 2–3 km inland, so local roads usually beat the freeway for short hops. For the canyon, caves and Nietta you need a car. Metro Tasmania, Mersey Link and Redline buses serve the town and connect to Devonport, Burnie and other northwest towns, but services are thin.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Leven Canyon

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Drive C128 inland from Ulverstone, about 30 min, then a short walk from the car park to the lookout

The lookout is the easy win; longer walks drop into the reserve. Check park alerts before you go.

Gunns Plains Caves

go

Door to door: About 40 min each way

Drive via Gunns Plains Road, about 20 min from town

Guided tours run through the day on a set timetable; check current times and book ahead in peak season.

Kaydale Lodge Gardens, Nietta

caution

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Drive Loongana Road, about 30 min inland, near the Leven Canyon turn-off

Small entry fee, open daily in daylight; pair it with the canyon rather than making it the only stop.

Devonport

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive the Bass Highway east, about 15 min

Ferry terminal for the Spirit of Tasmania and the usual airport.

Burnie

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive the Bass Highway west, about 25 min

Bigger town with more eating and the regional museum.

Cradle Mountain

overnight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Drive via Devonport and Sheffield, roughly 2 h

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep up there instead.

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.

Town centre, around Reibey Street

Walk to cafes, shops and the river; the practical choice for one night without a car.

Riverside and beachfront

Holiday houses and motels near the Leven mouth; quieter, still 10–15 min on foot from the main street.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
Mid
A$150–260 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
High
A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or pub double room1 × 1 night × A$180A$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$170A$340
Car hire, one day, small car1 × A$70 · checkA$70
Fuel, Ulverstone–Leven Canyon return1 × A$15 · checkA$15
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20A$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$65
Trip total≈ A$355 per person per day, bed includedA$710≈ US$500

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Cafe lunchA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Pub mainA$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)
Draught beerA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
Gunns Plains Caves tourcheck
Kaydale Lodge Gardens entrycheckA$5 (≈ US$4)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$15–35 (≈ US$10–25)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are wildlife on dusk roads, cold water at the river mouth and bushfire in the hills. Dial 000 in an emergency.
  • A car is close to essential for the Leven Canyon, Gunns Plains Caves and Kaydale Lodge Gardens; bus coverage inland is minimal.
  • Penguin viewing at Lillico Beach is at dusk and seasonal; keep distance, no flash, no torches on the birds.
  • The Ulverstone History Museum opens limited hours and depends on volunteers: call ahead before you plan around it.
  • Summer bushfire risk in the northwest; check Tasmania Fire Service advice before any inland drive.
  • Distances on the northwest coast look short on the map but the Bass Highway is the only fast link: allow more time than you think.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From a mobile
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

UlverstoneUlverstone

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112

Embassy

No consulates in Ulverstone; the nearest consular help is in Hobart, or your country's embassy in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Ulverstone → Devonport by car: about 15 min on the Bass Highway
  • Ulverstone → Burnie by car: about 25 min on the Bass Highway
  • Metro Tasmania bus, local fare: check current zone fare

Say or show

  • Thanks — Thank you
  • Excuse me — Excuse me
  • How much is that? — How much is it?
  • Where's the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is it far? — Is it far?

Ulverstone is often confused with Ulverston in Cumbria, England. Check your booking.

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 Ulverstone. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (wet, cool, short days) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for DPO and BWT: last transfers, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with anchors: Reibey Street, the Leven riverfront, Lillico Beach.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (Leven Canyon, Gunns Plains Caves, Kaydale Lodge Gardens, Ulverstone History Museum).
  4. Hostile-weather and bushfire fixtures so the inland drives can go green or red.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources