Penguin – Beaches, History and Experiences

Penguin combines beach activities with historical discoveries and active outings. This coastal town suits a range of holiday interests: time by the water, a self-guided audio walk or a mountain bike ride. If you’re considering Penguin as a holiday destination, these specific experiences can help guide your plans.

Beaches with different offerings

Penguin is home to Johnsons Beach, Penguin Beach and Watcombe Beach. These three beaches aren’t interchangeable stops: Penguin Beach has a fenced playground for children. Johnsons Beach has a barbecue area and a playground. Watcombe Beach is ideal for a leisurely beachcombing stroll. You can choose where to go based on whether your family would most enjoy a playground, a barbecue area or searching along the shore.

Penguin is also home to a 3 m-tall Giant Penguin, which makes a great photo opportunity. A distinctive landmark, it adds a special memory for your holiday album to the town’s beach and cultural attractions.

Explore historic sites at your own pace

The Penguin Heritage Trail leads to 26 historic sites. These include the 1903 Uniting Church and the heritage-listed Penguin General Cemetery. The trail offers two free, self-guided audio walks for exploring the coastal town. This format gives you the freedom to take the historical walk at your own pace, rather than committing to a guided tour.

The cemetery offers another perspective on the town’s history: it records more than 1,800 burials and overlooks the centre of Penguin. A self-guided audio walk at Penguin General Cemetery tells the stories of Penguin residents and their final resting place. If you’re interested in local history, you’ll find both a specific place to visit and an accompanying audio perspective here.

The Big Penguin is also part of the town’s history. On 16 April 2025, it was added to the Tasmanian Heritage Register for its cultural and historical significance. Its listing highlights its role as a distinctive landmark; at 3 m tall, it also makes a memorable photo opportunity.

Visit the market and shop for local goods

The Penguin Undercover Market takes place on Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm at 11 Arnold Street. It’s held in Penguin’s former primary school, built in 1925. There are stalls selling locally made goods and a covered food court. The market combines a visit to a historic building with the opportunity to browse goods from the area and spend time in the covered space. The Sunday opening hours are a practical guide for planning your day.

Mountain biking in Penguin

Penguin Mountain Bike Park has 6 km of trails with jumps and wall rides. It’s also a good starting point for more challenging trails in the Dial Range. So, as well as beaches and history, Penguin offers a clear option for active holiday days. When planning your trip, you can consider this alongside quieter options at the beach and self-guided historical discoveries.

More destinations: Scottsdale, Burnie, Conara, Rossarden, Gladstone, St Helens, Adventure Bay, Claude Road.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.