Penguin
TAS 7316 • Rest of TAS
About Penguin
Penguin is a charming coastal town on Tasmania's north-west coast, situated on the Bass Highway 29 kilometres west of Devonport and approximately 128 kilometres north-west of Launceston, within the Central Coast Council municipality. Spanning around 45 square kilometres, the town had a population of 4,132 at the 2021 Census with a median age of 47, reflecting the older demographic typical of regional Tasmanian communities. Established in 1861 as a timber settlement and proclaimed a town in 1875, Penguin has a proud working-class heritage and today offers a relaxed, unhurried lifestyle with median weekly household incomes of around $1,300 — affordable by Australian capital-city standards.
The town takes its name from the little penguin rookeries that historically lined its foreshore, and maintains a quirky local identity with penguin-themed public art and sculptures throughout the town centre. Residents enjoy the scenic foreshore reserve, local cafes, craft shops, and boutique stores along the main street, as well as easy access to the Bass Strait coastline for fishing and swimming. The nearby Dial Range provides bushwalking opportunities, while Devonport — with its Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, hospital, and major retail — is a short drive east. Penguin is primarily car-dependent, with limited regional bus services, making it well-suited to those seeking an affordable, peaceful coastal lifestyle in regional Tasmania.
Penguin falls under postcode 7316 and is governed by Central Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Braddon (Montgomery) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Redline Coaches / Metro Tasmania regional services — Devonport / Burnie 30-40 min to Devonport
Commute to Hobart CBD
🛣️ Devonport (29 km east) is the nearest major service centre; Spirit of Tasmania ferry connects Devonport to Melbourne
The town centre is walkable for local errands, but a car is needed for most shopping and services beyond the main street
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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125 Ironcliffe Road
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105 Ironcliffe Road
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18 Ling Street
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1225 Pine Road
Housing 2021 Census
63 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 169
- 2. New Zealand 55
- 3. Netherlands 27
- 4. Scotland 25
- 5. Philippines 19
- 6. Germany 16
- 7. United States 11
- 8. India 9
- 9. South Africa 9
- 10. Nepal 7
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)