Where to See Penguins in Tasmania: Lillico Beach & Beyond

Tasmania may already be a magical island of mist, cheese, and ridiculously good whisky, but it has another fun claim to fame. It's the headquarters for most of Australia's fairy penguins.

Each evening these tiny penguins waddle ashore after a day of fishing, in a chaotic and adorable rush hour, to their burrows with bellies full of fish for their hungry chicks.

Outnumbering the entire human population of Hobart, at Lillico Beach, hundreds of the world’s smallest penguins totter around the colony, looking remarkably like bowling pins with feet.

Here’s what you need to know before joining the welcoming committee.

Lillico is super close to where the Spirit of Tasmania docks in Devonport. A ten-minute drive has you tucking into a seafood dinner one minute and watching Australia's best penguin parade the next.

The beach is part of a protected coastal reserve that’s home to a thriving colony of fairy penguins. It's a windswept affair, a jumble of smooth, grey stones and tangled seaweed, backed by a curtain of coastal scrub. Never going to make the list of iconic Aussie beaches but for penguins, it’s paradise.

The rocky shoreline provides the perfect cover from predators, while the sandy soil is ideal for digging burrows. It’s a place where they can rest, breed, and raise their young in relative peace.

And thanks to the purpose-built viewing platform and the dedicated volunteers from Friends of the Lillico Penguins, you can get a front-row seat to the nightly show without disturbing the stars of the show.

The penguins of Lillico Beach are creatures of habit, and their (and the hundreds of adoring fans) daily routine is dictated by the rising and setting of the sun. They spend their days at sea, hunting for fish, and return to their burrows on the beach at dusk.

You can see them from September to March, which is their breeding season. It's a constant stream of teeny adults coming and going from the beach to feed their fluffball babies. The peak of the season is from December to February, when the chicks are starting to fledge.

The nightly parade usually starts just after sunset, so it’s a good idea to arrive at the penguin viewing platform at least half an hour beforehand to secure a good spot.

The number of penguins you’ll see will vary depending on the time of year and the weather conditions, but you can expect to see anywhere from a handful to a few hundred. And if you’re really lucky, you might even spot a few fluffy penguins waiting at the entrance of their burrows for their dinner.

Before you get too excited and start planning your penguin picture, there are a few ground rules you need to follow. Remember, you’re a guest in their home, so it’s important to be on your best behaviour. The little penguins of Lillico Beach are wild animals, and they’re easily spooked.

The golden rule of penguin watching is to be as quiet and as still as possible. No flash photography, no torches, and definitely no selfie sticks. The bright lights can disorientate the penguins and make them vulnerable to predators. It’s also important to keep your distance and stay on the designated viewing platform. The penguins have a well-worn path from the sea to their burrows, and the last thing you want to do is block their way.

The Friends of the Lillico Penguins are a dedicated group of volunteers who are on hand every night during the breeding season to answer your questions and make sure the penguins are protected.

They’re a wealth of knowledge, so don’t be afraid to have a chat with them. They’ll be able to tell you all about the lives of the penguins and the conservation efforts that are in place to protect them. And if you’re feeling generous, you can even make a donation to help support their work.

While Lillico offers a ringside seat, Tassie is stacked with other penguin viewing hotspots. The state’s commitment to its unofficial mascot is so strong, there’s even a town named Penguin, located just a 15-minute drive west of Lillico. While the town is more famous for its 3-metre-tall concrete, gloriously kitsch photo opportunity, the surrounding coastlines are genuine penguin territory.

For a different kind of experience, head to the east coast town of Bicheno. Here, local operators run nightly guided tours where you can watch the little penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle to their rookeries in a protected private reserve.

It’s a more structured affair than Lillico, but the guides provide an Attenborough-esque commentary, and the use of special red-light torches means you get a clearer view without disturbing the birds.

Further south Bruny Island has The Neck, a narrow isthmus connecting North and South Bruny, which is home to a significant colony of the tiny cuties, and occasionally there have been sightings of the adorably named Macaroni Penguin.

Boardwalks and viewing platforms allow you to watch the nightly parade as the birds navigate the sand dunes to reach their burrows.

The dramatic landscape, with the D'Entrecasteaux Channel on one side and the wild Tasman Sea on the other, makes for a gorgeous backdrop.

No matter where you go, the main attraction is always the Little Blue Penguin. Tasmania isn’t home to the larger species you might see in documentaries, but when it comes to charm, these little guys win every time.

After a chilly evening on the coast watching the world’s smallest penguins return to their burrows, you’ll want somewhere warm and convenient to retreat to. Novotel Devonport sits on the Mersey River, a 10-minute drive from the Lillico Beach penguin viewing platform.

The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and you can grab a late dinner or a glass of Tasmanian pinot noir at the hotel's restaurant and bar, capping off a perfect day of exploring Tasmania’s incredible north-west coast.

You’re spoiled for choice, but the experiences differ. Lillico Beach near Devonport is perfect for a free, independent viewing experience run by passionate local volunteers.

For a more structured and educational evening, the paid Bicheno Penguin Tour on the east coast is fantastic, as their guides use special red-light torches that don’t harm the penguins’ eyes.

For dramatic scenery, you can’t beat The Neck on Bruny Island, where you watch the birds return from the sea against a wild, isthmus backdrop.

The only species you’ll see here, and anywhere in Australia, is the Little Blue Penguin, or Fairy Penguin (Eudyptula minor). The scientific name adorably translates to "good little diver".

They get their name from the striking slate-blue to indigo plumage on their backs, which acts as camouflage from aerial predators while they’re at sea.

The common name "Fairy Penguin" is widely used in Australia due to their tiny size, while "Little Blue Penguin" is more common in New Zealand.

The main viewing season is from September to March. For the best action, aim for the peak summer months from December to February. This is when parents are working overtime to feed their rapidly growing chicks, meaning more crossings from the sea to the burrows.

Early in the season (Sept-Nov) is about nest-building and egg-minding, while later in the season (March-April), the penguins begin their annual moult.

During the moult, they can’t go in the water, so they stay in their burrows looking rather grumpy and dishevelled for a few weeks until their new waterproof coat grows in.

Even on a balmy summer day, the Tasmanian coast gets chilly as soon as the sun disappears. Dress in warm layers—a windproof jacket is your best friend. A beanie, scarf, and even gloves are a good idea.

Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. You can bring binoculars for a closer look without being intrusive, but leave tripods at home as they block precious space on the platform. Most importantly, do not bring a torch; the white light is damaging to their sensitive eyes.

Yes, the viewing experience at the Lillico Beach platform is completely free. It is managed by volunteers from the Friends of the Lillico Penguins and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

While there’s no charge, you will find a donation box on site. Dropping a few dollars in is a great way to say thanks and helps these passionate locals continue their vital conservation work, which includes monitoring the colony and protecting the habitat.

You can, but under strict conditions. Absolutely no flash photography. The sudden bright light is terrifying and disorienting for the penguins, leaving them vulnerable. S

imilarly, video lights are not allowed. Modern smartphones are surprisingly good in low light, but you must ensure your flash is manually turned off. The best policy is to put the phone away and just soak in the experience with your own eyes.