Fern Glade Reserve
Fern Glade Reserve
4.5
About
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
72 within 5 kms
Attractions
18 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
141 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
48
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Roothy123
Maryland517 contributions
Jan 2020
Took an excursion called "Scenic Surrounds" that first went to Fern Glade. It was a pretty place, but honestly, there wasn't much to see or do after about reading the board that tells about the platypus and peering into the water for a few minutes. I guess most people hope to see a platypus, but honestly, when you go at 11:00, I'm guessing you're very, very unlikely to see one. I believe they are nocturnal. I think we could have driven around for 15 minutes and seen more interesting things, as northern Tasmania has beautiful countryside. Honestly, I wouldn't waste my time going there unless perhaps you are going extremely early in the morning or late at night. I feel a little guilty giving this attraction a poor rating, because it is a pretty place, does have a signboard and a trail, and has bathrooms. It would probably be nice for a picnic, but I wouldn't put it on your sightseeing list.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
outonadate
Tasmanian1,482 contributions
Feb 2021
What a beautiful place. Can't believe it had taken so long to come here. It was amazing to walk along and spot so many animals.So peaceful too. We were even lucky enough to spot a platypus having a playful swim.
Written 15 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna S
Australind, Australia159 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
What a fantastic reserve so close to Burnie. The tree frees and their reflection in the river were amazing. The walk was really lovely following emu river.
There were lots of picnic spots and shade grassed areas.
Very picturesque and a credit to Burnie, a great place to go to, especially when it’s windy on the beach.
We didn’t see any platypus, but that didn’t matter.
There were lots of picnic spots and shade grassed areas.
Very picturesque and a credit to Burnie, a great place to go to, especially when it’s windy on the beach.
We didn’t see any platypus, but that didn’t matter.
Written 12 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia38,684 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
really enjoyed camping here and catching glimpses of the platypuses diving in the river. the setting amongst the ferns was gorgeous
Written 22 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise L
Melbourne, Australia788 contributions
Mar 2020
Tried very hard to find a platypus but being there in the middle of the day was probably the wrong time
Quiet and serene lovely walk along the river with beautiful scenery
No one else was there so we had the p,ace to ourselves
Plenty of free parking
Toilets well maintained
There are BBQs there although check if available now
A lovely day out for families or anyone and easy to get to
Quiet and serene lovely walk along the river with beautiful scenery
No one else was there so we had the p,ace to ourselves
Plenty of free parking
Toilets well maintained
There are BBQs there although check if available now
A lovely day out for families or anyone and easy to get to
Written 20 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve D
Melbourne, Australia105 contributions
Nov 2019
We got up early to get to the reserve as soon as it opened in anticipation of seeing an elusive platypus.
We were not disappointed as we actually spotted four different platypus along the waterway.
We were not disappointed as we actually spotted four different platypus along the waterway.
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whitlamabroad
Clevedon, UK544 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
The sign at the gate said it’s closed at 8pm. That might mean they lock the entrance gate.
BBQ and seating available. Lots of parking. Well formed easy to follow path.
We saw a platypus swimming down river about half way along the track. We only spent around 30-40 minutes in the reserve. We arrived around 7.10pm.
BBQ and seating available. Lots of parking. Well formed easy to follow path.
We saw a platypus swimming down river about half way along the track. We only spent around 30-40 minutes in the reserve. We arrived around 7.10pm.
Written 20 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cindylee634
Victoria, Canada66 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
This little park is a few kilometres outside of Burnie Tasmania. We went at dusk to try to spot a Platypus, without luck. But this lovely park was still worth the visit. The fern trees are amazing and so many little pademelons came out at dusk. We parked on the roadside outside the park in case the park people came to lock the gate at dusk.
Written 26 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ozneilau
Nubeena, Australia107 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
This is one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks and takes you along the bank of the Emu River not far from the centre of Burnie.
The sign says, "Quiet observers often see platypus from the picnic area". We tried to be very quiet but unfortunately didn't see any.
The walk is not far from the site of the old Paper Mill but you would have no idea of this when you do the walk.
The tree ferns are amazing here!
The sign says, "Quiet observers often see platypus from the picnic area". We tried to be very quiet but unfortunately didn't see any.
The walk is not far from the site of the old Paper Mill but you would have no idea of this when you do the walk.
The tree ferns are amazing here!
Written 15 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul W
Sydney, Australia346 contributions
June 2021
There is a carpark at each end of the walk and it isn't too far. It is very peaceful and quite and if you are lucky you may see a Platypus. They are easier to see in Tasmania but we weren't lucky enough
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I want to know how long it is from the port, how much does it cost and how much time we need. We are 60 years old.
Written 4 December 2018
There is no charge. Not certain of distance as not from that part of Tasmania. But I would estimate maybe 3 or 3 1/2 kms from the port using Bass Highway and Fern Glade Road. That would be less than 10 minutes (one way) in a car, but perhaps allow 45 minutes if walking (one way).
Written 4 December 2018
harjimarding
Devonport, Australia
My sister in law and I are hoping to do some free camping in Fernglade. She is sleeping in a camper van and I am using a tent. I would need to be close to the van to access power from my own deep cycle battery as I use a CPAP machine. Can you tell me if we can park the van and have the tent nearby on grass or dirt. Or do cars, vans or caravans park on concrete and tents somewhere else. Also would have the same information for Leven Canyon. A fast response would be fantastic as we would like to camp there Wednesdy night 4th April, 2018. Thanks so much, Dawn and Marge (me)
Written 3 April 2018
Sorry but camping is not permitted at Fernvale.
Written 4 April 2018
no there is no fee to enter the park
Written 21 February 2018
Can you get a park for a bus in there, is it free & suitable for older people ?
Written 2 March 2017
Large vehicles are fine. There are 2 different parking areas and a bus could park in either. My brother needs a walking stick and is unable to navigate some places but he found Fern Glad easy and really enjoyed it. Although the path goes up and down in places it is a gentle slope that you really don't notice when walking along. There are seats along the path if you get tied. There are also clean toilets and a BBQ area. You should enjoy it.
Written 3 March 2017
Showing results 1-7 of 7
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing