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.

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:

Burntwood Point, known to many locals as Griffiths Point, holds layers of history that reflect both the natural beauty and the evolving use of the area over time.

The name Griffiths Point comes from a family who once lived here, leaving their mark on the local community. In the mid-20th century, the area also hosted a scuba diving and training centre, taking advantage of the coastal location and its unique underwater environment.

In the 1960s, Bruce Walker, a local historian and much-loved figure in Wynyard, established a caravan park and a small museum just behind what is now Bruce’s Café. His efforts to share local history added to the area’s charm and accessibility for visitors.

The coastal pathway that runs through Burntwood Point follows the path of the old railway line, which connected Burnie to Wynyard from 1913. The railway was a lifeline for transporting goods and passengers until the service ceased in 1978. The tracks were fully decommissioned in 2003, but their legacy lives on through the repurposed pathway, which offers a pleasant way to explore the coastline today.

The area’s past intertwines with its present, creating a unique backdrop for those who pause to enjoy Burntwood Point.