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Ulverstone, Tasmania: Untapped Gem of the North-West Coast
Ulverstone’s windswept beaches and sunlit trails beckon — a quietly magical escape that feels like home.
Cradled between Devonport and Penguin on Tasmania’s northern coast, Ulverstone unfurls like a whispered secret — where time loosens its grip and calm takes centre stage. It’s no flashy hotspot, but beneath the surface lie windswept beaches sculpted by wild ocean breaths, sun-speckled river trails, and a community that feels like an old friend you haven’t met yet.
Wander along the gentle Leven River, hunt for vintage treasures, or chase the sun’s golden glow at Buttons Beach. Ulverstone offers an unpolished, quietly magnetic escape you didn’t know you were desperate for.
Explore
Leven Canyon
A short spin from Ulverstone, Leven Canyon drops 250 metres of jaw-dropping limestone cliffs, a natural amphitheatre that stops you mid-scroll and demands you lace up your boots. The 1.2km Lookout Track is an easy romp with panoramic views that make your Insta feed sing — and the towering tree ferns and cheeky wildlife add lush soundtrack vibes to every step. No filter needed, just pure, breathtaking wilderness.
42 kilometres from Ulverstone, Penguin Cradle Trail, Loongana
Preston Falls
A blink and you’ll miss it kind of beauty. Five minutes through a whispering blackwood forest leads to Preston Falls’ 25-metre silken curtain, tumbling into a mossy gorge like nature’s own slow-motion movie. Moody, majestic and quietly mysterious, it’s a low-effort, high-reward treat for anyone who appreciates a good waterfall without the crowds.
Raymond Road, Preston
Leven River Cruise
Breathe deep, slow down, and let Leven River Cruises carry you through Tasmania’s untouched riverine paradise. Departing from Ulverstone, these gentle boat trips offer a front-row seat to sea eagles soaring, kingfishers darting, and — if luck’s on your side — a shy platypus paddling beneath the glassy surface. Opt for the River & Forest Cruise with picnic and private walk, or twilight trips for that unmistakable splash of romance. Pure serenity on water.
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Gunns Plains Cave
Descend into an alien world beneath rolling farmland just 30 minutes from Ulverstone. Gunns Plains Cave, discovered by chance in 1906, dazzles with surreal stalactites, shimmering flowstones, and glow worms twinkling like a secret Milky Way. Guided tours wind through cavernous chambers past the ‘Wedding Cake’ formation and an underground river teeming with platypus and freshwater crayfish. Lace up sturdy shoes and prepare to be enchanted by this subterranean spectacle.
46 Cave Road, Gunns Plains
Lillico Beach Penguin Viewing & Buttons Beach
For dusk drama with the locals, head to Lillico Beach’s Penguin Viewing Platform, where nightly waddles of Little Penguins paint the shore from September to April. Red-light torches and expert volunteers ensure a respectful, unforgettable encounter with these tiny tuxedoed wanderers.
Back in Ulverstone, Buttons Beach stretches wide and inviting — barefoot strolls, sandy sandwiches, and sun-drenched calm wrapped in that unhurried Tasmanian charm.
Pedal Buggies Tasmania
Pure, no-frills fun on wheels awaits at Pedal Buggies Tasmania. Cruise nearly 5km of riverside paths along the Leven River in quirky single, double, or family buggies — yes, even a wheelchair trailer. For the truly adventurous, Surrey bikes pedal all the way to Turners Beach for wood-fired pizza or berry patch brekkie. Family, friends, or solo riders — a fresh-air joyride guaranteed.
Goat Island and Three Sisters Nature Reserve
Just off Ulverstone’s rugged coast, Goat Island and Three Sisters Nature Reserve reveal wild, untouched beauty. At low tide, granite rock flats emerge for exploring marine life, hidden caves, and birdwatching. This serene sanctuary offers raw coastal magic and spectacular views — pack boots, check tide times, and expect to be charmed by Tasmania’s wild edge.
Vintage & Homewares Shopping
Ulverstone’s vintage scene is a treasure trove for lovers of timeless charm. Lose yourself in Pete Jermy’s antiquarian sanctuary, sift through porcelain and silver at Tasmania’s largest Leven Antiques Centre, or discover boutique magic at Nest on Risby’s — a seamless blend of vintage soul and modern style. Every find tells a story, perfectly woven into Ulverstone’s laid-back rhythm.
Eat & Drink
Milicia Trattoria
Found in Ulverstone’s heart, Milicia is a small trattoria packing serious flavour punch. Their menu, focused on slow-fermented doughs and house-made pastas, champions fresh local produce with authentic Italian soul. Intimate and effortlessly stylish, every bite feels like a celebration, from casual dinners to special occasions. Milicia’s humble, heartfelt dishes have quickly made it a must-visit on Tasmania’s North West coast.
25 King Edward Street, Ulverstone
The Pier
Ulverstone’s breezy waterfront gets a golden glow-up with Island State Brewing’s riverside outpost, The Pier. Equal parts stylish taproom and modern bistro, it’s where the Leven laps gently below and good times rise with each pour. Sip your way through small-batch brews crafted onsite—think bright lagers and bold pale ales—paired with a sharp, seasonal menu that goes well beyond pub grub. Sunsets, sea breeze, and seriously good beer: The Pier is Ulverstone’s front-row seat to laid-back luxe.
3 Wharf Road, Ulverstone
Buttons Brewing
Buttons Brewing in Ulverstone doesn’t mess around. This is beer with bite, brewed for those who want more than just a pale imitation. Their Hazard Pale Ale is bright, balanced, and packs a proper punch, while the limited editions flirt with the bold and unexpected. The cellar door is no-frills but buzzing, like a local’s favourite dive where the conversation’s as fresh as the hops. It’s a brewery that knows its craft and isn’t afraid to show it.
32 Short Street, Ulverstone
Seventy Acres
Seventy Acres sits quietly in Ulverstone’s Hive, where coffee feels like a gentle ritual and the pastries taste like they’ve been made with time to spare. The aroma drifts softly through the air, inviting you to slow down and lean into the moment. It’s less about rush and more about ease — a warm corner where the day stretches out, and simple things feel a little more special.
50 Main Street, Ulverstone
Hey Buddy
Hey Buddy is a delightful cafe radiating fun 70s vibes and serving bold, mouthwatering flavours. Famous for its Southern Fried Chicken roll and expertly brewed coffee, it’s the perfect spot to kickstart your day. Bright, lively, and full of character, this Tasmanian favourite turns every meal into a joyful treat.
35 Queen Street, West Ulverstone
Thirty Three Cups
Thirty Three Cups is where Ulverstone’s coffee culture brews bright and bold. This sunny, welcoming cafe serves up excellent espresso and a menu that’s equal parts comforting and creative, from crispy skin pork belly on a tangle of soda noodles to a fresh, zesty vegan roasted carrot quinoa salad. Pay a visit and linger awhile, sipping on perfect flat whites and catching up over thoughtfully crafted, fresh, and fun food.
26 King Edward Street, Ulverstone
Stay
Cherry Cottage
A stay at Cherry Cottage feels like stepping into a sepia-toned postcard — all vintage charm with the comforts of now. This lovingly restored two-bedroom Federation home is a mere two-minute wander to Buttons Beach, cafes and shops, with Cradle Mountain just an hour away. Expect lazy porch mornings, a garden made for daydreaming, and interiors that whisper of slower times. Quiet, cosy and disarmingly pretty — this is the Tasmanian escape you didn’t know you needed.
Ulverstone
Serenity by the Sea
Bathed in golden light and coastal serenity, this modern three-bedroom sanctuary is just five minutes from Turners Beach, yet feels a world away. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, a crackling wood heater, and a chef-worthy kitchen for long, lazy dinners in. Wake with the sun, sip coffee on the deck, and wander to the Turners Beach Berry Patch for breakfast and berries. This is North West Tassie at its most inviting — sun-dappled, spacious, and effortlessly chic.
Turners Beach
Forth River Cottage
On Tasmania’s north-west coast, where the landscape rolls green and the river speaks in soft eddies, sits Forth River Cottage — a one-bedroom escape built for rest. Wrapped in Cape Dutch charm and dappled light, the cottage is stocked with local eggs, berries, jams, and herbs from the garden, all offered with a generosity that feels rare. Mornings move slow here. Nights are for stargazing, cupped in silence. Just 10 minutes from Devonport, but built for stillness, this is the kind of stay that reminds you to breathe a little deeper.
Forth
Book your stay with Booking.com
Arc Pavilion
It’s a tiny house with a big soul. Perched on a hill in Forth’s wild, whispering farmland, Arc Pavilion is where sustainability smokes a wood fire, and handcrafted art meets the messiness of real life. The Bell sisters have built a retreat that’s part sanctuary, part honest-to-goodness home — with a queen bed so soft you might forget to leave, an outdoor bathtub staring out over rolling hills and ocean, and a shower that feels like rain itself. It’s privacy and nature, but without the fuss. Just real, slow, deep breathing.
Forthside
Book your stay with Compass Hut
The Church
A stone’s throw from the sand and just minutes from the iconic Berry Patch (yes, the one with killer ice cream and wood-fired pizza), The Church is a converted sanctuary of calm and conviviality. Once a church and schoolhouse, this recently renovated, self-contained home comfortably sleeps eight across three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a light-filled loft and two living areas to spread out in.
Fire up the wood heater, pour a wine in the sunny front yard, and let the kids roam free. With heat pumps for all seasons, it’s cosy come rain, hail or shine. Perfectly positioned for adventures — from fairy penguin spotting at Lillico Straight to day trips to Cradle Mountain and Stanley — it’s your base for wild coastlines and quiet evenings.
Turners Beach
Amarè Beachside Luxury
Where the Tasmanian coast hums a slow, salty lullaby, Amarè Beachside Luxury slips quietly between sea and sky. Steps from Turners Beach, these suites cradle you in king-size beds, crackling fires, and outdoor hot showers that carry ocean breeze like a whispered secret. Mornings start with wave songs and sunsets bleed into private decks, aptly suited to wine-soaked, post-adventuring conversations.
Turners Beach, Tasmania
Book your stay with Amare Beachside Luxury
Book your stay with Booking.com
Whether you’re wandering sunlit beaches, sipping perfectly brewed coffee, or soaking in the wild Tasmanian air, this underrated gem will leave you with a soft smile and stories you’ll want to revisit. So, pack your bags, slow your pace, and let Ulverstone whisper its magic into your next escape. For more Tassie adventures, we highly recommend exploring the Huon Valley and East Coast Tasmania through our jam-packed guides.
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