Upper Burnie

Lifestyle & dining

Life in Upper Burnie is largely about the home and the outlook rather than a strip of cafes on the doorstep. The elevated position means many properties enjoy sweeping views over Burnie and the coast, and the pace here is noticeably calmer than the commercial heart of the city below. For dining out, shopping for essentials or a coffee catch-up, residents head a short drive down into Burnie's CBD, where the cafe and retail scene is concentrated, or make the quick trip to neighbouring Hillcrest and Romaine for local options closer to home.

Getting around

Upper Burnie's location above the city means most trips involve a short drive down the hill into central Burnie, where the Bass Highway connects west towards Wynyard and Somerset and east towards Devonport and beyond. The Spirit of Tasmania terminal and Burnie's port and rail freight facilities are close by, underlining the suburb's convenient position relative to the region's main transport links. Public bus services connect Upper Burnie to the CBD and surrounding suburbs including Acton, Brooklyn and Romaine, making it workable for those without a car, though many households find a vehicle the easiest way to manage the hillier streets.

Schools & families

The suburb's demographic profile — a median age of 42 and a solid, family-sized population of 1,891 — reflects its popularity with established households and families who've put down roots. Burnie and its surrounding suburbs offer a good spread of primary and secondary schooling options within a short drive, and Upper Burnie's quiet residential streets, larger blocks and elevated outlooks make it a practical base for families wanting proximity to schools without being in the thick of the city centre.

Parks & recreation

Being set on the high ground above Burnie, Upper Burnie offers plenty of opportunity for outlook and open space, with many gardens and reserves in the surrounding suburbs taking advantage of the same elevated terrain. Burnie's foreshore, parks and walking tracks, along with the recreational facilities in neighbouring Acton and Hillcrest, are all within easy reach for weekend walks, sport or simply getting outdoors.

Housing & architecture

Housing in Upper Burnie is dominated by standalone houses, which make up 79% of current listings, with apartments and units accounting for 13% and vacant land the remaining 8%. Expect a mix of classic Tasmanian brick and weatherboard homes from past decades alongside more recently built properties, many designed to make the most of the suburb's views and sloping blocks. The prevalence of houses over units reflects the suburb's family and long-term-resident character.

The property market

Upper Burnie's median house price currently sits at $472,000, having grown by 7.2% recently — a solid result that points to steady, ongoing demand for the suburb's combination of views, space and proximity to central Burnie. For renters, the median weekly rent is $450, offering a comparatively affordable alternative to buying while still enjoying the suburb's lifestyle and location.

With houses making up the vast majority of stock on the market, buyers are typically looking at established homes on generous blocks rather than units or new land releases. Compared with the more built-up parts of Burnie, Upper Burnie offers a slightly elevated price point balanced against its views, quieter streets and settled community feel — an attractive proposition for those looking to buy into the north-west coast market.