Where To See Penguins in Tasmania
The little penguin, also known as the fairy penguin, stands out as one of the island’s most beloved inhabitants. With Tasmania hosting the largest population of little penguins in Australia—up to 190,000 breeding pairs—this is a prime location for witnessing these remarkable birds in the wild. Whether you’re travelling in a campervan along Tasmania’s scenic coastal roads or exploring the quaint towns, seeing penguins in Tasmania is definitely worth the detour!
Understanding Tasmania's little penguins
Known for being the smallest penguin species in the world, these penguins typically reach a height of just 35 cm and weigh around 1.2 kg, which makes them easily distinguishable from other, larger penguin species. Despite their small stature, they are incredibly resilient, thriving in Tasmania's cool coastal waters. While they may be small, their presence in Tasmania is far from understated. Their natural habitat includes sheltered coastal regions, where they typically nest in burrows. These burrows can often be found along beaches or in areas with thick vegetation, providing a safe and secure home for the penguins.
Little penguins are fascinating creatures, particularly in their daily habits. They are expert swimmers, spending a significant portion of their lives hunting for small fish, squid, and crustaceans in the waters off Tasmania’s coast. Their feeding patterns are impressive, with penguins often venturing out to deeper waters before returning to their burrows in the evening.
While this is all very impressive, one of the most captivating sights for visitors is the little penguin’s nightly return to its nesting site. After spending the day foraging in the ocean, they swim back to shore, where they waddle across the sand in groups (safety in numbers). They often build their nests in burrows, competing for the most secure and sheltered spots. This territorial behaviour, along with the penguins’ strong bond with their nesting sites, makes observing them in their natural habitat a truly special experience (not to mention loud!)
Best times to observe penguins in Tasmania
The penguins’ activity varies throughout the year, and timing your visit with their natural cycles will give you the best chance to see them up close.
September to January is considered the peak breeding season for little penguins. During this time, visitors are likely to witness the highest level of activity, with up to 100 penguins returning to their nests in the evenings. This period offers a particularly exciting opportunity for families, as it’s the time when penguins are most active, preparing for and caring for their chicks.
From June to August, the penguins enter their nesting period. While sightings may be a bit less frequent than during the breeding season, it’s still possible to see groups of 50+ penguins. This is also a great time to observe their unique behaviours as they settle in for the colder months.
February to May marks the moulting season. During this time, fewer penguins (typically 20 or so) are visible, but it’s still possible to spot them as they shed their old feathers and grow new ones. While this isn’t the peak season for penguin activity, it can offer a quieter, more intimate experience for visitors who prefer a less crowded time to explore.
Top penguin viewing locations in Tasmania
From the rugged coastlines of the North West Coast to the charming towns on the East Coast, there are plenty of spots perfect for penguin viewing. In this section, we’ll explore some of the best penguin viewing locations in Tasmania, showcasing not only the penguins themselves but also the beautiful landscapes that make these places so special.
North West Coast
Stanley (Godfrey's Beach) is a fantastic spot for penguin viewing on the North West Coast of Tasmania. The town is dominated by The Nut, a volcanic plug offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean while keeping an eye out for the penguins returning to their nests.
At Godfrey’s Beach Penguin Viewing Platform, visitors have the opportunity to get up close to the little penguins in a safe and respectful manner. The platform is wheelchair-accessible and equipped with nesting boxes, providing an excellent vantage point for penguin watching. The area has been thoughtfully designed to ensure the penguins’ natural behaviours are not disturbed while still offering visitors an unmatched viewing experience.
For those planning to stay in the area, Stanley BIG4 Holiday Park is a great accommodation option for those travelling in a campervan. Located close to the penguin viewing areas, this is an ideal spot for families looking to immerse themselves in the experience of watching penguins without straying too far from the action.
North Coast
Tucked away on the North Coast, you’ll find some excellent opportunities for observing little penguins along the coastlines of Burnie and Penguin, two charming towns that are perfect for penguin enthusiasts.
Burnie
Burnie is home to the Little Penguin Observation Centre, an excellent spot for anyone looking to learn more about penguin behaviour and conservation. The centre offers free, interpretative guided tours led by the Friends of Burnie Penguins volunteers. Visitors are also likely to spot penguins returning to their nests in the evening.
For those travelling in self-contained vehicles, the Cooee Point Reserve offers a great place to park up overnight and enjoy the surrounding nature.
Penguin
Next, let’s talk about Penguin—a town literally named after the seabirds. Here, the Big Penguin statue stands proudly as a tribute to these popular little creatures. While there are no formal viewing platforms in Penguin, visitors can still catch a glimpse of little penguins along the shoreline, especially in the evenings as they return to their nests. However, it’s important for visitors to be cautious and avoid disturbing the penguins, ensuring a peaceful experience for both the birds and onlookers.
For a comfortable stay in Penguin, consider booking a spot at the Penguin Caravan Park. This park offers close access to the shoreline, where you can enjoy a relaxing evening and possibly see penguins in action.
East Coast
One of the standout locations on the East Coast is Bicheno, a picturesque seaside town known for its riesling and waterfront beauty. When it comes to penguins, Bicheno is known for its guided Bicheno Penguin Tours, where visitors can join a unique evening tour to private penguin rookeries. These tours ensure minimal disturbance to the penguins while offering educational insights into their natural history and conservation efforts. The penguins here have made a remarkable recovery, thanks to significant conservation work, making it a prime location to witness their thriving population.
For accommodation in Bicheno, the Bicheno East Coast Holiday Park is an excellent choice. Located in the heart of the town, this holiday park offers convenient access to the penguin tours and provides a great base for exploring the surrounding area.
North East Coast
Low Head is a standout penguin viewing location in North East Tasmania, offering guided Low Head Penguin Tours that give visitors the chance to observe little penguins as they return to their burrows after a day at sea.
One of the unique aspects of Low Head is its proximity to the historic Low Head Lighthouse precinct. After your penguin tour, you can explore the lighthouse and enjoy the surrounding scenery. The combination of history and nature makes this area a must-see for any traveller.
For accommodation, BIG4 Low Head Tourist Park is an excellent option. Located near both Low Head and George Town, it offers a convenient base for those looking to explore the area. The park is well-equipped for families, providing a comfortable and accessible place to stay after a day of wildlife watching.
South East Coast
The South East Coast of Tasmania also presents remarkable opportunities for nature and wildlife experiences, especially on Bruny Island. The Neck, a narrow isthmus connecting North and South Bruny Island, is one of the most iconic spots on the island for penguin viewing. The area offers breathtaking views of both the land and sea, making it an ideal location to witness the nightly return of little penguins to their burrows. The Neck Game Reserve features dedicated viewing platforms, where visitors can comfortably observe the penguins without disturbing them.
For accommodation, Captain Cook Holiday Park, located in the heart of Adventure Bay on southern Bruny Island, offers a great place to stay. The park provides a comfortable base for exploring the island and is close to penguin viewing locations.
Free penguin viewing opportunities
For those travelling on a budget or simply looking for a more casual penguin-viewing experience, you may be more interested in a free penguin viewing in Tasmania. These spots allow you to enjoy penguin watching without the need for a guided tour, while still being able to respect the wildlife and their natural behaviours.
Lillico Beach (near Devonport)
One of the best free penguin viewing spots in Tasmania is Lillico Beach, located near Devonport. This beach is renowned for its dedicated viewing platform, managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service volunteers during the penguins’ breeding season. The platform offers visitors the chance to watch the penguins return to their nests, with free guided interpretation provided by the volunteers, who offer valuable insights into penguin behaviour and conservation efforts. The atmosphere is relaxed and educational, making it an ideal spot for families to enjoy wildlife watching at no cost.
Tips for free viewing
While free penguin viewing is an amazing experience, it’s essential to keep a few critical viewer behaviours in mind to ensure a positive experience for both you and the penguins. Here are some tips for successful and respectful penguin viewing:
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Viewer behaviour: To avoid disturbing the penguins, maintain silence, avoid sudden movements, and be mindful of your surroundings. Red light torches are often recommended, as they are less intrusive to wildlife compared to standard white lights. Keep noise levels to a minimum, and give the penguins the space they need to move freely to and from their burrows.
Conservation and responsible viewing
When observing penguins in Tasmania, it is vital that you do your part to take responsibility towards their well-being and preservation. Tasmania's little penguins face several challenges, and it’s crucial for visitors to follow certain guidelines to ensure that their experience doesn’t harm the penguins or their habitat. In this section, we’ll explore the responsible viewing practices and how you can contribute to the protection of these iconic seabirds.
Guidelines
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No Flash Photography: Little penguins have sensitive eyes, and flash photography can be disorienting and even harmful to them. To ensure that you don’t disturb the penguins, it’s essential to use natural light when photographing them. Flash can cause stress and interfere with their natural behaviour, so it’s best to enjoy their presence without the need for a flash. So if you can, pack a lens with a low aperture and a tripod so you can make use of your low ISO!
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Maintain Distance: Always observe penguins from designated viewing platforms or as part of guided tours to ensure that their natural behaviour is not disturbed. Approaching too closely or invading their space can cause stress, leading to the penguins abandoning their nests or altering their routines. Designated viewing areas are in place to allow for safe, non-intrusive observation.
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No Feeding or Touching: Little penguins are wild animals and feeding them human food can be harmful to their health. Additionally, handling or touching the penguins can cause injury or stress. It’s vital to refrain from interacting with the penguins in any way and respect their autonomy in the wild. Observing from a distance ensures they are not disrupted during their natural activities.
Conservation efforts
Conservation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the survival and protection of little penguins across Tasmania. Various efforts are underway to safeguard their habitats and mitigate threats they face.
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Community Involvement: Many communities, like those in Burnie and Bicheno, actively contribute to penguin conservation through monitoring, habitat restoration, and education. These volunteers are often at the forefront, guiding visitors and educating them about the penguins’ behaviour and the importance of preserving their natural environment. Their dedication helps protect penguin populations while fostering a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation.
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Threats: Despite their endearing qualities, little penguins face numerous challenges, including climate change, predation by introduced species, and disturbances caused by human activity. As climate change impacts the availability of food and nesting conditions, penguins are finding it more difficult to thrive in some regions. Additionally, predators like foxes and feral cats, which have been introduced to Tasmania, pose a significant threat to the penguin population. Understanding these threats is key to supporting conservation efforts and helping to protect penguins for future generations.
Integrating penguin viewing into a campervan adventure
If you're planning a road trip around Tasmania in a camper, integrating penguin viewing has never been easier. Best of all, campervans offer the flexibility to visit numerous penguin hotspots, from the North Coast to the East Coast, all from the convenience of a tiny travelling home.
To help you get started, check out one of our popular Tasmania campervan itineraries, where you can easily add detours to these penguin viewing locations. Looking for more activities to add to your itinerary? Check out some of our top Tasmania guides below:
Ready to begin your adventure? You can book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from any Apollo branch across Australia! So, whether you're planning a longer road trip and want to come over on the ferry from Melbourne, or keep things simple and pick up your camper from the Apollo branch in Hobart, starting your camper adventure to see these iconic creatures up close has never been easier!