Destination overview

Devonport is a coastal city of 25,000 people situated in the centre of Tasmania's North Coast. With a modern airport and the Bass Strait ferry terminal linking the city to Melbourne, Devonport is an arrival point for a large number of visitors to Tasmania every year. Devonport is the perfect place to make your base in Tasmania's north-west where you'll discover some of Tasmania's best national parks, food and wine experiences and history and heritage.

The City of Devonport sits on the banks of the Mersey River in the centre of Tasmania’s fertile Mersey/Forth Valley. Commonly known as Australia’s market garden, the area produces 40% of Tasmania's vegetable crop. As you drive through the region you will see crops of orchard fruit and fields of vegetables including onions, potatoes, peas, carrots and beans. Other important crops are poppies and pyrethrum.

Devonport is a vibrant, modern city and cosmopolitan well beyond its size. In Devonport, city, coast and country come together at a pivotal Tasmanian hub. It is the Tasmanian home port of the Spirit of Tasmania I & II sailing from Melbourne; has a major airport linking to Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport and a network of roads seeking out the Tasmanian wilderness wonderland and other unique delights.

Devonport is a shopper's city, so enjoy browsing in the unique boutiques and specialty shops. Eating out is popular, too. Savour locally grown produce served in a variety of cuisines in the city's many restaurants and cafés, all served fresh from paddock to plate. Freshly caught seafood, prime beef served with newly harvested vegetables, cheeses and gourmet chocolates washed down with a local wine or one of Tassie’s famous beers - all presented in a variety of cuisines, Italian, Indian and Mexican to name just a few.

No visit to Devonport is complete without sampling local food and wine at a number of wineries and eateries throughout the city and surrounds.

As a city on the sea, Devonport makes the most of its coastline, accessible from the river front, right in the city centre, through foreshore parklands to Mersey Bluff Beach and its very popular playground and on to the Bluff itself and its landmark lighthouse and lookout.

Explore the history

Why not take a step back in time and hear stories of past accomplishments. Home Hill, the Devonport home of Australia's only Tasmanian-born Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, and his wife Dame Enid, is open for inspection, with mementos of his Prime Ministerial days. History lives on too, at the Devonport Maritime Museum, displaying the region's rich seagoing past. The Bass Strait Maritime Centre offers a totally new simulated experience where you not only captain a steamer, but also face some of the hazards and challenges that have confronted sea captains in and around the Mersey River and heads of Port Phillip Bay. Experience the ‘real’ thing with a short cruise on board the 64 foot ketch, Julie Burgess. The historic ketch is the last of the once common fishing vessels of Bass Strait, now fully restored and offering a range of sailing options.

The Don River Railway experience is a 30-minute round-trip on a vintage train, running regularly throughout the day, plus an opportunity to view up close the restoration work taking place in the workshop. See unique Aboriginal rock engravings at the Bluff where the Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre depicts Aboriginal life through dioramas.

Just a short drive from the city centre, the Tasmanian Arboretum displays trees and shrubs from around the world in a unique 66 acres of botanical Tree Park. Here you can enjoy walks and nature trails, or just sit and watch the water birds and platypus.

The Devonport Regional Gallery features predominantly 20^th Century collections of fine and decorative art, with an emphasis on works by Tasmanian artists, and is well worth a look.

More family attractions

Kids will love the Pandemonium complex incorporating Laser Skirmish, Jungle Gyms, Imaginarium Science Centre and Indoor Rock Climbing, as well as mini golf.

The Devonport Aquatic Centre, open from November to March, is another attraction that is sure to delight the kids. You will find an Olympic-sized pool, waterslide and toddler’s pool. There’s also an abundance of grassland, barbecue facilities and a kiosk.

Go walking

Devonport has a great variety of walking and cycling trails for you to enjoy. From a relaxing coastal amble to a bushland hike to take in spectacular city and river views, there is something for all fitness levels.

Devonport City Walk

Beginning in the city centre this walk follows the Mersey River foreshore and continues on to the Lighthouse at the Bluff headland where you can see the blowhole and Aboriginal rock carvings. It then winds its way to Coles Beach before taking you into the Don Bushland Reserve which follows the Don River and concludes at the Don River Railway. The walk is approximately 9 kilometres and the majority is on flat, sealed pathways. You can complete the entire walk or just one of its unique sections. You can also do it on bicycle.

Kelcey Tier Nature Walk

This walk offers 160 hectares of native bushland abundant with many varieties of birds, skinks and wildflowers.  Here you can take in the superb views of Devonport and the Mersey River Estuary. The circuit walk is 3.6 kilometres and takes 1.5– 2 hours.

Other walks not to be missed include the Eastern Foreshore Heritage Walk which starts at the Mersey Ferry pontoon and continues on a track which follows the beach, showing magnificent views of Bass Strait. At approximately 2.8 kilometres, this walk will take about one hour (one way only).

The Mary Street Wetlands Walk is located on approximately 1.7 hectares of land in East Devonport. In the past it was part of a stream flowing into the Mersey River. Today it is an open water pond fed from an underground spring in addition to rain water and an enriched habitat for a diverse range of native flora and fauna.

There are also a number of bird species to watch out for.

Devonport's local beaches

Devonport has several beaches, all of which are easily accessible and close to the city centre.

Bluff Beach is patrolled during summer and has picnic tables, barbecues, public toilets, a huge grassed area and a playground. From here it is only a short walk to the Bluff Headland and lighthouse.

Fishing in Devonport

Cradle Country has some wonderful fishing spots. There are numerous accessible rivers, dams and lakes around Devonport, Port Sorell, Latrobe, Railton, Wilmot, Sheffield and Moina. Catches can include rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Ocean fishing is also popular in the Devonport and Port Sorell areas.

The Devonport Visitor centre can direct you to the perfect spot and you can also purchase your Licence.

When visiting Tasmania, a trip to Devonport cannot be missed – there’s just so much to do and you will remember the experience for a long time after you return home.