Burntwood Point

Where is the Burntwood Point Pause Place Located?

Situated on the coastal pathway near Burntwood Point, this place, often referred to locally as Griffiths Point, has a fascinating past. Once home to a scuba diving and training centre, it’s a spot beloved for its geological features and sweeping beach views.

Bruce Walker, a notable local historian and identity, ran a small museum and caravan park in the 1960s just behind what is now Bruce’s Café, opposite this Pause Place.

If you’re following the coastal pathway, you’re walking along the route of the former railway line, which once connected Burnie to Wynyard. Built in 1913, the railway ceased passenger services in 1978 and closed altogether in 2003.

Local amenities, including Bruce’s Café, are conveniently nearby. View the café’s opening hours.

Too far to walk? This link will take you to the bus timetable.

Continue reading below for more historical information from various perspectives.

The History of Burntwood Point

The traditional custodians of this land are the Tommeginer tribe of Table Cape. They were one of the eight tribes that made up the north west linguistic group of Aborigines, a loose knit, social and economic confederation of maritime tribes that occupied a coastal strip extending from Table Cape to Cape Grim, and then down the West Coast to just north of the Macquarie Harbour.

The way they interpreted this land, used it, and respected its intrinsic values adds a layer of history that is a fascinating foundation to the story of this place. This foundation is not lost but understanding it is difficult for many of us, who are unfamiliar with the lore and culture of the first peoples. A little more of the indigenous history of this region can be found on the Waratah-Wynyard Council’s website.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the history of this land extends far beyond the time of European settlement and that this land has been looked on and lived on by people from different cultures and with different perspectives. We appreciate that the history shared on this website has gaps, telling some stories in far more detail than others. In particular, we are aware that there are many stories to be told of the first peoples of this land and that these fascinating and important stories warrant respectfully celebrating.

Consequently, please consider this website as a work in progress. We will seek to improve our understanding and share as much of these insights and stories as can be done in a manner that is appropriate and respects the first peoples of this land.

Thank you for your patience.

Modern History of Burntwood Point

In relation to the areas European History,

the Wynyard Historical Society was kind enough to share the following insights about the area:

Burntwood Point is known to a lot of locals as Griffiths Point after the family who once lived there. There was also a Scuba Diving and Training centre near here. The photos are of Burntwood Point from the beach, and some of the interesting geological formations on the beach.

The Pause Place area is opposite Bruce’s Café. Bruce Walker was a well-known identity and local historian of Wynyard, who established a caravan park and a small museum in the 1960s, behind the café.

The coastal pathway follows the old railway line for most of the way between Wynyard and Burnie.

The railway was extended from Burnie to Wynyard in 1913. The last passenger train ran in 1978, and the line was closed completely in 2003.