Stories from Penguin's heritage cemetery App tour- Voices in the wind

Tour Operator

Cartographer Map shows all burials and locations

Opened in 1869 and decommissioned in 1977, the lookout cemetery houses 1847+ burials. People who helped to shape Penguin into what it is today. Their voices in the wind. Our 2022 self-guided audio App shares the stories of 21 of its burials as told by locals. Many of the stories are over a century old. Violet Yeo’s drowning. Baby Dunham drowning in the copper. An accidental shooting. Felling a tree. Death of a jockey on his last ride. Unloading a lorry. Sheep stealing convicts and many more.

1 Main Road, Penguin, Tasmania, 7316

Tours

One of the better preserved grave fences

Tour

Stories from Penguin's heritage lookout cemetery: free self-guided audio App tour

Our lookout cemetery sits atop a hill overlooking Bass Strait and our CBD, which unusually just happens to be right across the road from the beach. Penguin recently had its beachfront rejuvenated with a walk/bike track from the eastern side of Penguin through to the next village of Preservation Bay and shortly on through Sulphur Creek to the Bass Highway heading to Burnie. At the junction you'll find our psychedelic sentinel penguin named Pablo. Our heritage cemetery opened in 1869 and closed in 1977 with over 1800 burials. The App tour walks you through the cemetery from the front gate up past the little commemorative garden for our 80+ unnamed children. Here you will find the very tall Children of the World sculpture funded from a formal long-table dinner held onsite. The App shares 21 stories from 100 years ago as told by many of our locals.

Places to stay

Accommodation

Penguin Beachfront Apartments

Penguin

Penguin Beachfront Apartments is a complex of five fully self-contained apartments built in 2012 located directly opposite the beach. All apartments have large outdoor terraces, fully equipped kitchens, laundries, and secure undercover parking - all in the Heart of Penguin. Offering a range of bedding configurations among the five apartments, to suit families, couples or large groups. Including two ground-floor purpose built wheelchair friendly apartments, with stunning views along Bass Strait. Complete with easy access, these apartments are also ideal for the frail or elderly. Leave your car in our secure undercover parking. Stroll along the beachfront promenade to cafes, restaurants, bottle shops, banks, supermarkets, post office, newsagents and so on. Everything in the Heart of Penguin. Cradle Mountain National Park is an easy one-hour drive away. The property is centrally located for day trips to Stanley, West Coast, The Tamar Valley wineries, Mt Roland, Sheffield and Launceston. Both the Burnie and Devonport airports and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal are only a 20-minute drive from Penguin. Penguin, the "Sound of the Waves", a great place to relax and unwind.

Accommodation

The Madsen Boutique Hotel and Apartments

Penguin

Strategically located between Burnie and Devonport, and the iconic Cradle Mountain, Tarkine and Great Western Drive to Launceston, the COVID-19 Safe accredited 4 STAR Madsen offers stylish, waterfront accommodation at the pretty seaside town of Penguin on Tasmania’s north-west coast. The Madsen has superbly appointed rooms and all the comforts to make your stay memorable. There are four ensuite rooms and two suites. The luxurious 4.5 STAR Penthouse and the Beachfront Spa Suite have king beds and the rest have queen beds, tea and coffee making facilities and Nespresso machines, microwaves, Wi-Fi, mini bar, DVD player, and three of them have a spa bath and stunning waterfront views. The Madsen now offers one, two and three-bedroom self-contained apartments for those wishing a staycation at competitive prices, one being pet-friendly. Take a stroll along the beach, visit the famous Penguin Sunday Craft Market, watch the penguins parade. Just a short drive to many Tasmanian must-see places such as the Cradle Mountain, Stanley or Sheffield with its murals, or simply relax and enjoy the majestic view over the Bass Strait from your suite. The Madsen is 30 minutes from Devonport and Burnie airports and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal. Now offering airport and Dial Range shuttle for MTBs.

Accommodation

Neptune Grand Hotel

Penguin

The Neptune Grand Hotel, also known as the Happy Backpackers Penguin, offers clean, comfortable budget accommodation at Penguin on Tasmania's North West Coast. The hotel is in the centre of town, across the street from the beach. You'll appreciate the friendly service and hearty quality bistro meals at this comfortable hotel. All rooms have new comfy beds, sheets, pillowcases and doona supplied, heating in rooms and common areas. There is access to a full shared kitchen and lounge and shared bathroom. There are two-share bunk rooms, four-share, six-share and private double rooms. There's a Bistro and bar on-premise, and ample parking all your needs are easily fulfilled. The region offers picturesque rolling farmlands, superb coastal landscapes, and the hotel itself is right on the doorstep of such world-renowned attractions as Cradle Mountain, Lake Barrington, and Leven Canyon. Nearby you can watch penguins coming ashore at dusk to feed their young. Start the day with a hearty breakfast and explore the beautiful beaches, lush green farmlands, forests and mountains near this quiet little seaside town. Penguin is located a 30 minute drive from Devonport and less than a 20 minute drive from Burnie.

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