Devonport
Devonport, at the mouth of the Mersey River, is one of three major cities in Tasmania's north, the others being Launceston and Burnie. To visitors to Tasmania, it is primarily known as the port for the Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferries - Spirit I and II - which make daily 10-hour trips between their terminals at East Devonport and Station Pier, Melbourne.
Devonport is seen by many as a way station, not only for people travelling between Tasmania and the mainland but for travellers on the north west coast of Tasmania. It is an active seaport that handles most of the movement of produce from the farms and fisheries of Tasmania. With over 23,000 people, the City of Devonport is the largest population centre on the northern coast of Tasmania.
Where Is it?: Devonport is 102 km north west of Launcestion via Bass Highway, 47 km east of Burnie and 277 km from Hobart. It is a sea port on Bass Strait
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Around Town
Providore Place Market Hall is a covered, all-weather market space in the centre of Devonport. The Sunday Markets are frequented by a number of local (North West Tasmania) and Tasmanian producers representing the best in food, produce, arts and crafts.
Providore Place regularly hosts live music, kid's activities, art installations and other cultural activities taking place during the regular weekly markets. Come and explore Providore Place, there is something new to discover every week!
The Pavilion at Providore Place is a meeting place. It's where the city connects with the farms, a place where people come to enjoy the best that Tasmania's North West Coast has to offer.
Fridays @ Providore 5pm - 9pm, Sunday Markets from 10am-2pm.
Southern Wild is a new distillery that produces premium gins created around the pure water, fresh ingredients and passionate growers of Tasmania. Southern Wild Distillery is located in the centre of Devonport. Come and taste the pure + wild flavours of Tasmania, right where they make the gin.
For Distillery Tour Bookings, email
Location: Shop 5, Providore Place, 13-17 Oldaker Street, Devonport.
Open 7 days, tastings available daily. Ph (03) 6423 5981.
DEVONPORT FARMERS MARKET
86a Gunn St, Devonport
Trading: 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month - 8:30am - 12 Noon
Type: Art & Craft, Farmers, Produce, Organic, Handmade, Food
Phone: (03) 6424 2253 / 0419 885 473
DEVONPORT FORESHORE MARKET
Devonport
Trading: Every Saturday 8.00am - 2.30pm
Type: Art & Craft, Antique & Collectables, Artisans, Baby & Kids/Children, Bric-a-Brac, Designers, General, Other, Farmers, Produce, Organic, Fashion, Handmade, Music, Food, Preloved, Recycle, Community. Phone: 0409306122
DON VILLAGE MARKET
Don Memorial Hall, Forth Rd, Don
Trading: Every Sunday, 9am - 3:30pm
Type: General. Phone: (03) 6492 1443
MORIARTY MARKET
Moriarty
Trading: Every Sunday 9am - 5pm
Type: General. Phone: (03) 6425 2957
Located on the outskirts of Devonport at the village of Don, The Don River Railway is one of the most enjoyable railway museums in Australia. Its focus is Tasmania's trains of yesteryear, and its sizeable display includes steam and diesel engines and other rolling stock that have played an important part in Tasmania's rail history. The extensive workshop is open for visitors to wander around and see trains in various stages of restoration. Don't miss the leisurely tourist train ride along the banks of the Don River to Coles Beach.
Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft is a one of a kind shop and a great place for the whole family. No where else in Tasmania will you be able to see Australian Stockwhips and Saddles made right under the one roof. Learn about the work that goes into crafting up to 48 strands of leather and witness the taking shape of the Worlds Longest Stockwhip, that is a 10 year project.
Mersey Bluff is an interesting coastal area featuring cliffs, seascapes, parkland and Aboriginal rock art. There are walking tracks along the coast from which to enjoy nature, or to take an early morning walk and watch the Spirit of Tasmsnia come in from Melbouren. To the west of Mersy Bluff is Don Heads. Tiagarra, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural and Arts Centre, has dioramas showing the lifestyle of the Tasmanian Aborigines from the region, and is close to Aboriginal rock carvings.
Devonport's maritime history is celebrated at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre, which features a large collection of model ships. Devonport's seafaring connection continues today through the Spirit of Tasmania, the only passenger ferry operating across Bass Strait.
Coles Beach is located in a semi-circular north-facing bay, bordered by a low cobble point to the west and 20 m high bluffs to the east. The Coles Beach Road and the railway line to Burnie run parallel the back of the beach. There is a large reserve and car park toward the western end and a second car park at the eastern end. The beach is moderately well exposed to west through northerly waves and is a popular surfing beach. At high tide it consists of a steep, narrow sand and cobble beach, while at low tide a 100 m wide, continuous bar is exposed, with rock flats, including some large boulders to either end. During higher waves rips form in the lower surf zone. Coles Beach's rocky shoreline make it an ideal place to go beachcombing for shells and small sea creatures.
The Lillico Beach Conservation Area, 6km west of Devonport alongside the Bass Highway, is a beautiful spot during the day (coastal bush with pebbles, rocks and a boardwalk, but no sand) and wonderful around dusk when a colony of fairy penguins come in for the night. Between October and April, volunteer guides are on hand to provide information and use red light torches so visitors can see the penguins clearly from viewing platforms. The highlight of the viewing experience is seeing the little penguins emerge from the sea and make their way over the rocks and up the beach to their burrows. The walkway is wheelchair friendly.
Unlike the more well-known fairy penguin parade on Phillip Island, Victoria, access to Lillico Beach's penguin parade is free. A donation box is provided to enable this service to co9ntinue.
When it comes to small towns in Tasmania, Forth definitely ranks as one of the most scenic, as well as one of the oldest. Nestled on the banks of River Forth, it is only a 13 kilometre drive from the city of Devonport. Being just 'up the road' from Devonport makes it a great place to kick off your exploration of the state if you are arriving by the Spirit of Tasmania.
At the hub of Forth's history is the Historic Bridge Hotel, which is one of the town's oldest buildings and still stands in almost its original form. It was first licensed and opened in 1872, and has managed to retain the old world charm and atmosphere of those times of the past. The building is heritage listed and regarded as a national treasure. It is also regarded as one of Tasmania's leading live music venues, with something always going on musically. It's a great place to grab a country cooked meal, enjoy a beer and a good yarn with your mates or the locals.
The Forth Valley Blues Festival is held annually over a weekend in mid March. The Festival usually kicks off at the Bridge Hotel - Forth on the Friday night, with the main event at the Forth Recreation Ground starting at 10am. on Saturday.
While Tasmania's north-west is famously known for the iconic Cradle Mountain and wilderness adventures, it also boasts some of the best beaches in Tasmania. Varying in offering and proximity to coastal hubs, one thing remains the same for all: they're serene pieces of beach paradise, untouched by the masses. Two such localities are the coastal settlements of Turners Beach and Leith, located where the River Forth meets Bass Strait. The beaches here and big and wide, with plenty of room for young travellers to stretch their legs and run off some energy. Alternatively, take a stroll in the sunshine. According to the local fishermen, the salmon and mullet run thick and fast in the river mouth of the Forth.
Spreyton Cider Co is the latest venture from Spreyton Fresh, the home of acclaimed Spreyton Fresh Apple Juice since 1998. Spreyton Cidery is conveniently located just 10 minutes from Devonport and the Spirit of Tasmania, and on the Cradle Country touring route to Cradle Mountain. All ciders are made from 100 percent Tasmanian apples and pears, with most grown in their own orchards right here in Spreyton. Their range includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders and in addition, Ginger Beer. Why not drop by and taste some of Tasmania's iconic ciders.
160 hectares of native bushland which abounds with many varieties of birds, skinks and wildflowers. Discover the sculpture 'Preeatenna', which means 'lizard' in the Tasmanian Aboriginal language, reinforcing the important Aboriginal cultural links to the area. Read the message on the Peace Pole, and take in the superb views of Devonport and the Mersey River Estuary. The circuit walk is 3.6km and takes 1.5 - 2hrs. Maps from the Devonport Visitor Centre. Location: top end of Durkins Rd, off Stony Rise Rd, Devonport.
In The Area: Day Trips
The entrance to Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park is around a 1hour 30 minute drive from Devonport. Australia's most recognisable mountain, Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mtn. Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The familiar jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while abundant wildlife, icy streams, alpine heathlands, colourful deciduous beech and ancient pines reflected in still glacial lakes entice many visitors to stay and explore.
A day drive from Devonport along the north west coast is highly recommended. The drive can include Burnie, Wynyard, Table Cape, picturesque village of Boat Harbour, Stanley and Circular Head, Rocky Cape National Park, Smithton, and Marrawah on the west coast. Simply follow Bass Highway west from Burnie. Off the main road you will find Trowutta caves and arch; Hellyer Gorge State Reserve; Allendale Gardens at Edith Creek. The coastal towns of Ulverstone (16km) and Penguin (28km) are to the east of Burnie on the road to Devonport. There are numerous waterfalls to visit, including Dip Falls and the giant eucalyptus tree and Guide Falls. Another recommended day trip from Burnie is a driving tour of the Great Western Tiers.
The Great Western Tiers are the northern face of the Tasmanian Central Plateau, which rises up to 1420m above sea level and is dominated by Cradle Mountain. In the foothills of the Great Western Tiers can be found a wide range of attractions both man made and natural which can be explored on this drive.
Allow a full day for the drive; add additional time if you are contemplating taking any of the bushwalks in the area or spending more time than a quick visit. The Great Western Tiers are the gateway to Tasmania's best known National Parks - Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair and Walls Of Jerusalem - as well as an alternative route to the west coast of Tasmania.
Leven Canyon is a 250 metre deep ravine that is part of a wildlife corridor from the coast to Cradle Mountain. The Leven River runs through 300-metre limestone cliffs carved through the Loongana Range, down to Bass Strait.
The canyon is a little-known tourist destination in Tasmania but is well woth a visit. A viewing platform offers spectacular views of Black Bluff, the canyon itself and the surrounding areas. Location: 50 km south of Devonport by road.
Hidden beneath the picturesque farmland of Gunn Plains is a fascinating world of caves, sinkholes and underground streams. Many beautiful cave formations are present, such as stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and a large array of dazzling flowstone are present in the public section of the cave. The caves host an assortment of wildlife, being inhabited by the endangered Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish, Platypus, freshwater fish and eels. Location: 41 km south of Devonport by road.
Wander through a peaceful landscape among trees from ancient times in this unique 66 glorious acres of botanical Tree Park. Follow our walks and nature trails or sit quietly and watch the waterbirds and platypus. Entry by donation. 9am to sunset. 03 6427 2690. Location: Old Tramway Road, Eugenana, 10km south of Devonport.
Ten kilometres east of the Stanley turn off, head south to the Dip River Forest reserve. The Dip Falls are 26 kilometres from the Bass Highway junction, on a good sealed road, apart from the last few kilometres, which are gravel. There are well appointed barbecue, picnic and rest room facilities. 152 steep steps descend to the bottom of the cubic-basalt formed falls, which are impressive during the winter months. The track to the accessible viewing platform is beyond the falls. The Big Tree is a couple of kilometres further on. This spot is well worth visiting and is a good family trip.
Port Sorell is a pretty coastal town featuring sheltered beaches, good fishing, orange lichen-covered rocks and foreshore reserves for camping and picnics. Nearby Narawntapu National Park is a place of great serenity and a haven for wildlife, which abounds on its grassy plains and in its marshes and heathlands. Shops and services are located at neighbouring Hawley Beach.
Port Sorell is just 20 minutes drive from Devonport, being located 21 km east.
Not To Miss
