What’s special about Devonport?
You can explore Devonport's coastline by walking or cycling along Victoria Parade to the Bluff, where Tiagarra Aboriginal Centre explains the areas Aboriginal history and nearby rock carvings.
Statues along the waterfront walk include those of Joseph Lyons, the only Tasmanian to have held the office of Australian Prime Minister (1932 to 1939), and his wife, 1940s Federal parliamentarian Dame Enid Lyons. Their National Trust residence at Home Hill is open to the public.
The Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ships are almost landmarks in this city. As they negotiate a U-turn in the Mersey River, they seem to be sailing right up the main street. There's so much maritime history in the town that a visit to the Maritime Museum is essential.
Head along to the Don River Railway and take a ride on a steam train to Coles Beach. Devonport's Imaginarium is Tasmania's only science discovery centre and is full of hands-on activities. Visit the Devonport Regional Gallery, a converted church with some excellent works of regional artists.
Devonport has an average maximum temperature of 21.5 degrees Celsius (70.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in January and 13 degrees Celsius (55.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in June.
More things to do:
Penguin viewing, Lillico Beach
The arboretum – large variety of native and exotic trees.
Fishing
The story of Devonport:
Devonport was originally settled as two towns, Formby and Torquay, in 1826. The towns were amalgamated in 1890. At this time, the town became known as Devonport, named after Devonport in England. Today, the eastern side of the Mersey River, once named Torquay, is now referred to as East Devonport.
Travel directions:
Devonport is one hours’ drive (98 kilometres/61 miles) west of Launceston on the Bass Highway (A2).
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