Penguin Observation Centre
Penguin Observation Centre
5
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5.0
137 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
26
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Lady Roo
Perth, Australia38 contributions
Oct 2022
A great way to spend an evening. The little penguins are so sweet. Some were nesting right up next to the boardwalk so we were able to get up very close to a couple of them. Because it was dark, it’s hard to get good photos (flash photography is not allowed). The volunteers are very helpful and knowledgeable, but not overpowering. Wrap up warm - it gets cold once the sun goes down.
Written 23 October 2022
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.
Sinead
12 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
This has been such a pleasant surprise highlight of my Tasmanian trip. What a stellar, volunteer run conservation effort. I was so impressed that it involves the whole community (including school children) and educates visitors all about little penguins (and what’s threatening them) and it’s all free! I would highly recommend planning one night to come and view the wild penguins nesting as you’re definitely going to see them close up. Thank you very much to volunteers Amanda and Steve who were so generous with their time and knowledge!
Written 9 February 2023
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.
Amanda W
Brisbane, Australia213 contributions
June 2022
We walked around the boardwalk near the observation centre 2 nights. The first night we went a few hours after dark and missed seeing any penguins. The next night we went just after sunset and were lucky enough to see many penguins, some which were nesting right up near the boardwalk.
Written 27 June 2022
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.
Jenny M
New South Wales, Australia38 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Wonderful experience. It is an easy walk along the boardwalk to where the penguins come up. There are dedicated volunteers present each night to talk about the penguins. We saw a number of baby penguins who were waiting for their parents to come at dusk to feed them. Also saw the parents returning. Lovely way to spend the evening
Written 1 February 2022
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.
Jodie D
Eden, Australia12 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We decided to wait until our last night to see the Burnie penguins - before sailing back on the Spirit of Tasmania.
We were only there for an hour or so but found the guides very informed and helpful. We managed to see a few penguins in their bunkers and returning from the water. It was one of our Tassie trip highlights.
The organisation is doing a fabulous job for the penguin community as well as penguin lovers.
We were only there for an hour or so but found the guides very informed and helpful. We managed to see a few penguins in their bunkers and returning from the water. It was one of our Tassie trip highlights.
The organisation is doing a fabulous job for the penguin community as well as penguin lovers.
Written 15 March 2023
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.
Lovetravelling57
Karratha, Australia1,167 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The talk at the start was very informative. Started about 8.45 (mid -January). The penguins only started coming up the beach about 9.45pm so expect to wait! We saw some of the babies in the scrub on the beach from the boardwalk. Dress warmly!
Written 16 January 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.
Marie
Murgon, Australia91 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
What a fabulous way to spend an evening. The lovely volunteers were so helpful and knowledgeable.
The Little penguins themselves were the highlight of my entire Tasmanian trip. Although very late in the season we saw at least 30.
There were some juveniles, some adults just finishing their moult, lots of adults coming up from the sea and even a large fluffy baby whose parent arrived to feed it.
A totally joyful experience.
The Little penguins themselves were the highlight of my entire Tasmanian trip. Although very late in the season we saw at least 30.
There were some juveniles, some adults just finishing their moult, lots of adults coming up from the sea and even a large fluffy baby whose parent arrived to feed it.
A totally joyful experience.
Written 26 March 2022
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.
Anthony S
Brisbane, Australia1,862 contributions
Feb 2021
Pleasant evening with the guides and Little Penguins who come ashore after dark. Easy to see the chicks waiting to be fed as well as the parents as they trek from the water. Plenty of great viewing locations.
There is a short informative talk before the penguins arrive and is well worth the time.
Donations are accepted and very welcome.
There is a short informative talk before the penguins arrive and is well worth the time.
Donations are accepted and very welcome.
Written 1 March 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.
Belle Laurens
Brisbane, Australia16 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Might be one of our favourite things we did on our trip. It's all volunteer run, so, completely free but donations are welcomed to help with little penguin conservation. I thought they were going to be hard to see or further away but they don't care about humans so they're so close you could reach out and touch them. The volunteers are seasoned experts on the Burnie little penguin colony, ask them all the questions you fancy. Make sure you rug up though because it got quite cold and windy down on the bay.
Written 5 July 2023
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.
James G
Atherton, Australia46 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Fantastic evening walk after dinner to “hopefully” see a few penguins. We saw at least 40!!! Many of them incredibly close as they came right up to the fence and boardwalk. The volunteers from the centre are excellent and full of knowledge. Thank you all! (No flash used on iphone. Only ambient light from boardwalks or red lights from volunteers)
Written 4 April 2023
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 will be there Dec 30 on a cruise
Is there anything to see there that morning early afternoon
Thank u in advance
Written 5 October 2023
We were there in early Fall so the light/sunshine will be different. We were told most of the activity was evening time when they were needing to feed. During the day you might see just a little bit right at the main section of the 'wall'--they are behind glass in a small enclosure. it's a nice walk on the boardwalk and you can see the nests but no penguins most likely until late in the day.
Written 5 October 2023
When is the best time of day to see the penguins ?
Is there a car park ?
How far is it from Burnie ?
Written 7 April 2019
They come out of the water just as the light disappears, so around late dusk
Plenty of parking nearby
And yes it’s right near the town centre within walking distance if needed
Written 8 April 2019
How far is the attraction from where the Princess cruise ship docks?
Written 13 September 2018
As Burnie is a working port with very strict security when you come of ship you get on a bus which takes you out of shipyard and along highway to the makers workshop penguins are water side of building, then you can walk back into town along the boardwalk and see penguin houses or back on a bus into town
The buses will be free to passengers and do the loop while ship is docked
My husband drives one of the bus
Written 3 February 2019
Can you tell me if there will be anything to see by October 3rd? Is there a tour? Are the penguins still around or have they migrated away by early October?
Written 15 June 2018
There are volunteers at the Little Penguin Observation Centre prior to the little penguins coming ashore. They give a very informative talk about the little penguins and how to behave around them. Once the little penguins start to come ashore the volunteers move along the boardwalk to track.
From memory they nest between September and March. We were there in December and there were still some babies in the nests that the adults came back to feed. They come ashore around dusk.
It was still quite chilly at night in December (especially for a Qlder) so dress appropriately.
Written 15 June 2018
Will we get to see the penguins in second half of September? What's the night temperature like?
Written 3 May 2017
Yes you will see the beautiful penguins! Temp...bloody cold!! (we are Queenslanders though). Worth every minute of frost bite. :)
Written 6 May 2017
I am visiting burnie in early May, are there any chances of seeing the penguins?
Also, are there any accommodation nearby the observation center?
Written 19 March 2017
Hi,
The Little Penguin Observation Centre runs tours between September and March so I don't think May will prove successful. The penguins finish moulting in March before going out to sea. They return in September when they breed.
The Burnie by the Bay Apartments are just across the road from the Penguin Centre.
Written 20 March 2017
We are cruising and we are on shore 9-4pm. Will we see penquins if we go to the Observatory? Is the Observatory near teh Makers workshop ?
Written 1 July 2016
Hi Sorry the little penguins only come out after dark. The observatory is open and free to visit any day. The volunteers in the makers workshop will give you directions.
Written 30 September 2019
Hi, I'll be in Burnie on Dec 12th for a stop on a cruise. I'll be there 9-5pm will I see penguins out of their burrows?
TIA.
Written 25 June 2016
Even though you will be too early sometimes you can peer into their homes and see their little heads especially in the boardwalk area between the surf club and the Maker's Workshop.
Written 27 June 2016
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