Question 1

Is Burnie a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Burnie sits on Tasmania’s north-west coast around a working harbour and a compact CBD, with the Emu River and a foreshore reserve giving the town a waterfront focus. Walks, beaches and parkland sit close to everyday shops, cafés and community facilities. Housing mixes early timber cottages and modest mid-century homes with newer apartments near the esplanade, reflecting long-standing local families, tradespeople and public sector workers. It is a practical, small-city place with easy access to surrounding rural hills and coast. The suburb is home to 693 people, with a median age of 42 and a typical household income of $1,064 a week (roughly $55,300 a year).

Families are dominated by couples—couples without children are the largest single family type at 49.1% and, together with couples with children (24.8%), account for 73.9% of families. Homes are slightly more often rented than owner-occupied, with 51.1% rented and 48.8% owned outright or with a mortgage. Several public projects are under way or planned, including a new mental health precinct at the North West Regional Hospital, port and civic works, a courts complex under construction and upgrades for the local school campus, which all shape everyday services and facilities in Burnie.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Burnie?

Accepted Answer

Renting in Burnie takes a noticeable slice of local incomes. With house rents averaging $450 a week and unit rents $330 a week, and a typical local household earning about $1,064 a week as recorded at the most recent Census, a house would use about 42.3% of that income and a unit about 31.0%.

On these figures, house rent represents a large share of a typical local household's income at the last Census, while unit rent represents a sizeable share. If you're looking at renting rather than buying, those rent shares are the most relevant affordability guide; whether they feel expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Burnie a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

In Burnie over the past 12 months unit values fell sharply, down 29.1%, while rents rose strongly: house rents climbed 19.0% and unit rents increased 13.8%. Taken together, the figures show a clear split between capital and income on the unit side—unit capital declined markedly even as rental income for both dwelling types grew, and house rents rose faster than unit rents. Which of those outcomes matters will depend on whether you prioritise capital growth or rental income.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	N/A	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	N/A	-29.1%
Sold Past 3 months	5	1
Median days on market Past 12 months	N/A	18
Average rent Past 12 months	$450	$330
Change in rent Past 12 months	19.0%	13.8%

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