2026 Penguin Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

A hidden gem in northern Tasmania, the town of Penguin is just as therapeutic as its name sounds, and visiting in person is a heartwarming and delightful slow-paced getaway. This itinerary departs from Devonport to Penguin, checking all the boxes for Instagram-worthy snaps, soul-soothing moments, and the perfect blend of a breathtaking ocean and a fairytale-like town. ✌🏻 What's So Great About Penguin Town? The moment you step into Penguin, you'll absolutely melt at its cuteness. Everything in this town revolves around penguins—the fences, trash cans, and street signs are all delicately painted with penguin motifs. Right in the town center, there's a massive penguin statue that even gets dressed up in different outfits for different seasons! Don't forget to grab a top-tier photo with the giant penguin egg right next to it. Must-Visit Spots & Recommended Activities: 🐧 The Big Penguin Statue & Iconic Photo Spots The soul of the entire town is this three-meter-tall penguin statue located right in the town center on The Esplanade. The giant penguin egg on the ground is a must-snap background for kids and hipster travelers alike. Address: 74 Main Rd, Penguin TAS 7316, Australia 🌊 The Beach & Ocean Breeze Just a few steps from the statue lies an expansive coastline. The endless ocean, sitting on the beach, and letting the sea breeze brush your face is 100% therapeutic. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll, snapping photos, or simply zoning out, it feels incredibly relaxing. The laid-back vibe of the town is perfect for slowing down and savoring life. 🍰 Penguin Country Bakehouse Want a taste of authentic local flavors? Don't miss the highly popular Penguin Country Bakehouse. Highly recommend trying the classic Australian dessert—Lamington, and their Meat Pies are also super authentic. If you don't eat beef, there are plenty of other options. The best part? Sitting by the window directly facing the azure sea. It's totally chill. Address: 70 Main Rd, Penguin TAS 7316, Australia 🏨 Sunset Vibes at Hilltop B&Bs If you're not in a rush, we highly recommend staying a night at a hilltop B&B or cozy inn to enjoy waking up to ocean views and a slow-living sunset. 🐧 Penguin Watching Tips & Surrounding Attractions · September to March is the season when penguins come ashore. If you visit during this time, you might just spot wild little penguins returning to their nests! · Penguin is an ideal pitstop on a Northern Tasmania road trip. We recommend pairing it with other northern towns like Stanley and Burnie. Stanley is famous for The Nut, while Burnie is a fantastic spot for family fun. 😙 Transport Guide: · Bus: There are direct buses from Devonport taking about 30-50 minutes, perfect for non-driving travelers. · Road Trip: Renting a car from Devonport offers the most flexibility and freedom, with great road conditions. Travel Tips Summary: 1. Travel Essentials: Sunglasses, camera, and a thick jacket (coastal weather can be unpredictable). 2. There's a lot of walking around the town and beach, so sneakers are highly recommended. 3. The town's colors pop beautifully on sunny days, but a cloudy or slightly misty sky has its own unique charm. 4. Penguin isn't very large, so setting aside half a day to a full day is plenty to explore and slowly soak in the local hospitality and scenery. 5. The town boasts a stellar vibe for photography. From parked silver cars to cute bollards and blue skies, every casual snap feels like a postcard.

We took a short road trip to North West Tasmania to see the Tulip Blossom in early October, departing from Hobart. As always, we stopped at Ross Bakery to enjoy "The best Vanilla Slice in Tasmania". We can never get enough of it! Next, we drove to Launceston (Launnie) to drop off a friend. The drive was pleasant, especially since the weather was much better than we expected for early Tassie winter. We then took a break in Westbury, where we wandered through a lovely antique shop and admired the beautiful gardens and historic houses. For lunch, we had a seafood platter at the famous Chef's Catch. The fresh, cooked fish was absolutely delicious! Another stop in Penguin gave us a chance to soak up the sun, enjoy the beach and sea, and some ice cream. We spent the night on Burnie’s Great Ocean View Road, which offered breathtaking views. The next morning, we had an incredible coffee and breakfast at the Chapel in Burnie which is truly a five-star quality! After that, we headed to the Table Cape Tulip Fields. My girlfriend loved the vibrant flowers, and we spent a few hours there taking plenty of photos. We also bought a beautiful bouquet of tulips to take home. We finished the day at Boat Harbour Beach, which is one of the most picturesque beaches in NW Tasmania. Finally, we made our way back to Hobart. It was a wonderful trip especially when we were rewarded with lovely weather. #tasmaniatrip #tablecapetulips #tassieexplored #tulipfield #burnie

[OFF-GRID GLAMPING BUT MAKE IT LUXE] 🇦🇺 Waking up to wild views, cosy comforts, and the kind of stillness you don’t get in the city. This was a much needed getaway, enjoy the views. It only gets better than this. 📍886 Ironcliffe Rd, Penguin TAS 7316 #holidayitinerary #tasmanianthings #tasmanianthings #tasmanianthings #travel #couplestrip #staycation #naturalwonders #thingstodo

[SUNSET DOME - MOUNT GNOMON FARM] 🇦🇺 The Sunset Dome at @mountgnomonfarm is perched just high enough to catch the last light spilling over the hills, private, peaceful, and completely surrounded by nature. We watched the sky turn from dawn to dusk, with the stars shining in its fullest glory. Mount Gnomon Farm is the bucket list of every stargazers’ luxury glamping dreams. 📍886 Ironcliffe Rd, Penguin TAS 7316 #holidayitinerary #thingstodo #staycation #naturalwonders #travel #tasmaniatrip #tasmania #tasmaniatravel #tasmaniatravels #tasmaniagetaway #tasmaniauncovered #tasmaniaadventures

An hour domestic flight from Melbourne is this island gem. Bring your light down jacket even if it is summer. Renting a car is a must. You will breathe the freshest air in the world. I have to go back again the fifth time.

The library, quietly nestled in a corner of a coastal town, was not large, but it was filled with the warmth of a small town and a love of knowledge. The old but neat bookshelves, and the handwritten signs posted here and there, all of these elements seemed to quietly say, "You can stay here for a while." The fact that I came across such a cozy space while walking in the sea breeze was an unexpected comfort to the traveler, and it made me feel that Penguin Village was more than just a cute name, but a place with people and hearts. #HawaiiFlightEvent

#australiatrip Adorable town, it is clear the locals are passionate about keeping up their 'penguin-obsessed appearance as there are penguin objects everywhere. The bollards, bins, decor, and statues are all penguins. I would have liked to visit on an occasion to see the big penguin dressed up, but I got to see it in all its glory regardless. Highly recommend this sweet little coastal town.

#australiatrip Absolutely loved! We were strolling around and came across thsi beautiful and peaceful place. There's a small river, windmill, bridge, basketball court, children play area and baby ducks. It was well maintained as well as very ideal for picnic. I dipped my feet on the river felt like heaven! Lovely park, with playground, bbq area, toilets and ducks, including gorgeous baby ducks. Lovely little park. Lots of nice trees, places to sit and relax by the water, or picnic on the grass. Many ducks and also a cute platypus swimming around!

Phillip Island Nature Park is famous for its Penguin Parade. It is also a large habitat for little penguins. The penguins return to their caves every night to rest, or to feed their young during the feeding season from August to March. Within an hour before sunrise, they will leave their caves and head to the sea. They have to swim up to 100 kilometers a day to get the fish food they need every day. The time for the penguins to return to their nests is different every day, and the conservation area will announce it. At this time, a group of people will wait on the coast for the penguins to return. You are not allowed to take pictures with your mobile phone camera or turn on the flash. It is really cute to watch the smallest penguin in the world staggering back to its nest. The ticket revenue is also used in penguin conservation, which is worth it. #familytravel #melbourne

#couplestrip

#sunflower farm #penguin