About Ulverstone, Penguin & Gunns Plains

ULVERSTONE

One of the largest towns in Tasmania, Ulverstone is situated along the North West Coast on the banks of the Leven River. Ulverstone provides a range of shops, restaurants, hotels, banks, churches and other services. Shopping is made much easier and more enjoyable with compact and level well planned centres and of course, our free parking! The Leven River is a favourite spot for all kinds of water sports including water-skiing, boating, fishing, sailing and jet skiing.

A family trip to Ulverstone is incomplete without a visit to the giant Waterslide or pedal buggies. If that is too active for your tastes you could always take a leisurely cruise up the Leven River or step back in time and relive a bygone era at the Ulverstone History Museum. The Museum presents a comprehensive and fascinating display of artifacts, manuscripts, tools and photography depicting the life and hard times of the pioneers. See how the area developed from a background of paling splitting and shipping to productive farmlands and thriving business centres.

Ulverstone is proud of its many attractive parks and adventure playgrounds with barbecue and picnic facilities. Ulverstone’s unique war memorial parks compliment the much photographed Shrine of Remembrance clock tower at the eastern end of Reibey Street. The concept of war memorial parks began in Ulverstone in the late 1970’s with the aim of establishing lasting memorials of Australia’s military history in pleasant parkland surrounds and is the venue for many national annual services reunions.

The coastline rocky headlands and secluded coves offer many hours of peaceful fossicking. Goat Island west of the town accessed at low tide, has provided many a child and adult alike magical hours of exploring. Long stretches of beaches are perfect for swimming, surfing, kite flying, walking or just playing with a Frisbee. Quietly watching the sun rise in the east or set in a blaze of colour in the west is highlighted by sighting the fairy penguins. Each October/November the penguins return to burrows along the coast to breed and raise their young. In the early evening you can see them returning to their burrows after a day of feeding at sea.

Ulverstone’s hinterland is blessed with spectacular scenery, from its mountains and valleys, clean rivers and streams, to the richest and most fertile farming land in Australia. The abundance of riches from the land include high quality vegetables, poppies and pyrethrum flowers which patchwork the rolling hills.

PENGUIN

Travelling west along the scenic coast road from Ulverstone, we discover the charming seaside town of Penguin, named after the occupants of the penguin rookeries in the area. Penguin’s attractions range from beautiful parks, gardens and markets through to mountain ranges and reserves and feature what is believed to be the largest penguin in the world. This giant statue of a fairy penguin sits on the esplanade, while the real things return to local rookeries at dusk, especially between November and March.
Penguin’s earliest European settlers were paling splitters. Penguin is situated on three bays that are fringed by sandy beaches and rocky cliffs.

Hiscutt Park in Penguin features a man made lake built on Penguin Creek, where, if you are very lucky, you can see platypus playing in the evening. The parks lake provides a scenic backdrop to the Dutch Windmill, built in 1988 by Dutch migrants and surrounded by flower gardens, which feature beautiful tulips during spring.

The town is close to the state forests on Dial Range, which are open to anglers, horse and trail-bike riders and bushwalkers. The area is a mecca for bushwalkers with the spectacular Dial Range as the focus. Whether you choose to spend a relaxing hour or two walking beneath an impressive canopy of tree ferns, a more challenging walk of several days or anything in between, the Dial Range will not disappoint you.

A visit to Penguin is incomplete without a visit to the Penguin Market, Tasmania’s largest undercover market offering over 200 stalls including an international food court and licensed wine bar and live entertainment every Sunday.

GUNNS PLAINS

Gunns Plains is a rich fertile valley along the Leven River, which has some of the most spectacular views of rural Tasmania. Along the river bank Bannons park provides picnic and barbecue facilities. The Leven River is renowned for its fishing and Gunns Plains is no exception.

The Gunns Plains Caves are not to be missed with some of the largest limestone formations in the southern hemisphere. The caves are well lit and concrete paths ensure easy access for the young and not-so-young. The Preston Falls have easy access and are a delightful surprise stop during your tour.

The valley is also home to one of Tasmania’s largest wildlife parks, Wings Wildlife Park and you can enjoy some award winning cool climate wines at Leven Valley Vineyard. Further south you enter Canyon Country. The Leven Canyon is a spectacular limestone gorge where the Leven River winds its way though the hills and raw limestone cliffs revealing the uplift and geological folding of the rocks thousands of years old. From a delightful picnic ground there is an easy 20 minute return walk to the lookout platform where the river roars 275m below. Further along Loongana Road the Canyon floor track takes you to the footbridge where the river narrows to roar through the Leven Splits. For those experienced in walking continue on till you come to the Devils Elbow where great views of the cliffs and the lookout can be seen.

Kaydale Lodge in Nietta offers a delightful detour to view award winning gardens with fields of daffodils during spring and enjoy a hearty home-made lunch and country hospitality. Take you time unwind and add a day or two to your itinerary with life the way you want it, from the coast to the canyon!

For further information on what to see and do in the Central Coast, visit our website, or pick up a copy of our Visitors Guide, Map and Dining Guide from the Ulverstone Visitor Information Centre, 13-15 Alexandra Road, Ulverstone, or from the Penguin Visitor Information Centre, 78 Main Road, Penguin.