Coast or alpine? Two Ways to Spend a Weekend in North West Tasmania

Tasmania’s north west lends itself to very different kinds of weekends, and this article focuses on two of them, a coastal stay in Burnie and time spent in the alpine landscape of Cradle Mountain. One centres on walking by the water, wildlife encounters, and local food, while the other revolves around hiking, shifting mountain weather, and being outdoors for most of the day. Here’s how weekends can look in each setting.

Coastal North West Tasmania

Along the north-facing coast of Bass Strait, the streets of Burnie lead straight to the water and the sea is part of daily routines.

The sea is part of the daily picture; fishing boats heading out early, people walking the foreshore with coffee in hand and weather drifting in. Beaches on the north coast are long and stretch out in walkable lines.

Burnie, as the largest of the towns on the coastline, brings the most potential for exploration. As a working port, it is full of life, with galleries, good places to eat, and a sense that things are busy and happening. Nearby towns like Wynyard, Ulverstone, and Devonport feel similar, connected by long foreshore paths.

In this part of Tasmania, weekends are about long coastal walks, bakeries and beach days. But whatever you do, the coast is always close enough to pull you back outside.

A coastal weekend in Burnie

Burnie makes weekend escapes feel both unique and low-effort. During your time here, pack the hours with time spent outdoors, local flavour, and nearby wildlife. Nothing needs much organising!

Coastal walks and time outside

The Burnie Coastal Path runs along the foreshore, linking beaches, parks, and lookout points just outside the town centre, as well as connecting you to other towns. The route is super flat and well used, so anytime you need a low-key way to explore, this should be your go-to. Beyond the path, nearby beaches and low headlands also divert you to longer coastal wanders.

Local food and beer

Food in Burnie is woven through everyday parts of town. There isn’t necessarily one spot for dining, but you will find plenty of options nearby. Plus, bakeries open early here, cafés sit near the foreshore and along main streets.

Communion Brewing Co operates from a large warehouse-style space close to the port, pouring small-batch beers with a focus on Tasmanian ingredients and styles that suit the climate. Drop in for a drink and a chat with locals or enjoy a casual meal before moving on.

Wildlife encounters

A short drive inland brings you to Wings Wildlife Park, a walk-through sanctuary where Tasmanian devils, wombats, and other native animals are can be seen right up close. Back toward town, Fern Glade Reserve is one of the better places in the region to spot the incredible platypus in the wild, especially early or late in the day, with a flat riverside track that makes lingering easy.

Otherwise, along the coast, Burnie is also home to a colony of little penguins, which return to shore at dusk during the breeding season and can be observed quietly from designated viewing areas. Beyond wildlife encounters, nearby rivers, lookouts, and smaller coastal towns sit within easy reach, giving the weekend plenty of outdoor time.

Where to stay in Burnie

One North Terrace sits right on Burnie’s foreshore, positioned at the quieter end of the coastal path where the town gives way to water. Rooms face straight out to Bass Strait, with large windows and balconies that keep the sea present from morning through to last light.

The location keeps everything close too; morning strolls along the foreshore, cafés and bakeries within a short walk, and the town centre easily reached on foot.

Book your stay at One North Terrace.

Alpine North West Tasmania

Everything at Cradle Mountain is shaped by height and old geology. Glaciers over many years have carved the valleys and left behind lakes like Dove Lake, while dark dolerite peaks rise above buttongrass plains and pockets of temperate rainforest lower down.

Long before national park boundaries existed, this country held deep significance for Palawa Aboriginal people and later became central to Tasmania’s conservation history. It’s a pretty mesmerising place.

Wildlife is visible and routine in the national park here and definitely not occasional. Wombats graze through the daylight hours, echidnas cross open ground, wallabies keep close to forest edges, and Tasmanian devils emerge after dark. But the weather is really the thing you have to keep an eye on. Quickly and without warning, cloud can drop visibility within minutes, temperatures change abruptly, and snow is possible at any time of year (yes, even here, in Australia!).

A mountain weekend at Cradle Mountain

A weekend at Cradle Mountain is all about exploration. You don’t come for sun bathing, but adventure. Everything happens within and around the national park, with your days mainly shaped by how much ground you want to cover and what the conditions allow for.

Walking and hiking

Typically, walking anchors time at Cradle Mountain, with tracks ranging from scenic short circuits to challenging full-day routes. Across the park, tracks move between rainforest, plains and rocky plateaus.

The loop around Dove Lake stays accessible and gives a clear sense of the surrounding peaks, while routes like Marion’s Lookout climb faster, heading out of forest and onto open alpine ground.

For those prepared for longer and more demanding days, the summit walk to Cradle Mountain follows a marked route across boulder fields and exposed sections, where wind, visibility and weather are deciding factors on whether you manage to reach the summit.

Wildlife encounters

In Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, wildlife is spotted regularly around walking tracks and open areas. No need to head to a wildlife park because there’s plenty to see. In particular, wombats graze during daylight hours, often close enough to paths for hikers to spot them, while wallabies can be found near forests and echidnas move gently across the open ground. Sometimes you’ll cross their tracks without much warning.

However, if you do feel like learning a little about local wildlife, for a more reliable opportunity to see Tasmanian devils, Devils@Cradle is found near the park entrance, combining a conservation-focused breeding program with evening feeding tours that provide context around the unique species. After dark, the devils do also move through the surrounding area naturally, near roads and accommodation, so don’t be surprised if you do get a sighting!

Alpine and adventure activities

Beyond walking, the surrounding region supports a range of activities shaped by water and rock. Guided canyoning takes place in nearby river systems after rainfall, using narrow gorges and cold, fast-moving water.

Meanwhile, kayaking and packrafting are both possible on sheltered lakes and rivers when conditions line up. In winter, snowfall brings opportunities for snowshoeing too, with tracks across the plateau, and routes adjusted daily depending on coverage and visibility.

Where to stay in Cradle Mountain

Located at the edge of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain Lodge sits within forest and alpine vegetation, with cabins and suites spread across the property and linked by boardwalks. Many rooms look out toward surrounding bushland, with heaps of space between buildings.

The lodge also includes a day spa with treatment rooms and hot pools, offering an indulgent way to recover after long days on the tracks. Walking routes and shuttle stops are close by, so your time can be concentrated around exploration.

Book your stay at Cradle Mountain Lodge.