Devonport
Table of Contents: Travel to Devonport, visa requirements By Ship By Plane By Car / Get around / Devonport attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Shopping, Devonport souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Devonport nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget / Get out More from Tasmania: Devonport, Hobart, Port Arthur, Swansea (Tasmania) More from Australia: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Capital Territory, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Northern Territory, Outback, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria (state), Western Australia More from Australasia: Australia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea More from Oceania: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Midway Islands, New Zealand, Polynesia |
Devonport is the third largest city in the state of Tasmania, Australia.
Often referred to as the gateway to Tasmania, being the arrival port of the daily Bass Strait ferry service from the mainland. With a population of around 25,000 people, Devonport is really just a large town. The main part of the town, West Devonport is largely situated between the Don River to the West and Mersey River to the East. The other part of the town, East Devonport is situated directly across the Mersey River from the town centre. Devonport boasts a number of pleasant beaches, natural bush reserves and striking headlands including the Mersey Bluff with its lighthouse sitting atop. Devonport, along with the centers of Ulverstone, Latrobe, Wynyard and Burnie is part of Tasmania’s beautiful North West or Cradle Coast region. Devonport is the closest point of arrival to the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, only around one hours drive away from the jewel in the crown of the Tasmanian Wilderness.
Travel to Devonport, visa requirements
By Ship
Devonport is the Tasmanian arrival port for the Spirit of Tasmania passenger ferries from the mainland.
The Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II travel the Melbourne - Devonport route providing an overnight service in both directions every day of the year. The vessels depart at 8pm and arrive the following morning at 7am. During peak periods there are additional daytime crossings, departing at 9am and arriving the same day at 6pm. The ferry terminal is located in East Devonport, directly across the river from the town centre.
The vessels have a wide variety of accommodation, these include Cruise Seats, Business Class Seats, Inside 3, 4 Berth Cabin, Porthole 3, 4 Berth Cabin, Inside Twin Cabin, Porthole Twin Cabin and the luxurious Deluxe Cabins.
Fares
- Shoulder Season 1 September 2006 - 16 December 2006, 26 January 2007 - 30 April 2007 & 1 September 2007 - 16 December 2007
Fares start at $101 per person one way for a ship saver cruise seat and go up to $337 per person one way for a delux cabin.
- Peak Season 17 December 2006 - 25 January 2007
Fares start at $124 per person one way for a ship saver cruise seat and go up to $398 per person one way for a delux cabin.
- Off-Peak Season 1 May 2007 - 31 August 2007
Fares start at $96 per person one way for a ship saver cruise seat and go up to $310 per person one way for a delux cabin.
- Standard cars cost $69, motorbikes cost $45 and bush bikes cost $7 one way all year round.
By Plane
Devonport Airport is 8km (5 miles) from the town centre. This small regional Airport is served by Qantaslink which flies into and out of the airport up to six times a day, connecting with other flights on the mainland at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne. Local carrier Tasair operates passenger and cargo flights to King Island.
To get to or from the Airport.
- A taxi will cost approximately A$20 from the town centre.
- Taste the Tiers Tours operate buses between the town centre and the airport. Fares start at A$10 per person one way.
- There are a number of car rental agencies with an office at the Airport.
By Car
- 277km (172 miles) from Hobart via the Midland Hwy - Approx 3hrs
- 251km (156 miles) from Hobart via the Lake Hwy - Approx 3.5hrs (some gravel sections & subject to alpine weather including ice & snow)
- 100km (62 miles) from Launceston via the Bass Hwy - Approx 1hr
- 46km (28 miles) from Burnie - Approx 30min
- 88km (54 miles) from Cradle Mountain National Park - Approx 1hr20min
- 208km (129 miles) from Strahan - Approx 3hrs
- 254km (158 miles) from Freycinet National Park - Approx 3hrs
- 335km (208 miles) from Port Arthur - Approx 4.5hrs
Get around
The city centre of Devonport is concentrated within walking distance. So it defintely make sense to get around on foot. If your appartment or hotel is not close to the city center, a taxi will come and pick you up. Remember Devonport is, beside the ferry terminus, a small country town.
Devonport attractions and sightseeing
- Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre A museum of aboriginal history, with a nature trail that takes you to view natural rock formations that have been mistaken for Aboriginal rock carvings.
- Devonport Maritime Museum
- Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and penguin viewing area
- Don Village and Don River tourist railroad Vintage steam train and pioneer-style museum.
City tours
Shopping, Devonport souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Devonport nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Molly Malone's This Irish pub is one of the biggest spots for beer on tap in town. Dinner is served until 8PM and on weekends the bar fillS up fast.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
The ferry brings on a daily basis people to town, and therefore there is a broad variety of apartments, hotels and hostels depending on your budget. When you arrive with the ferry in Devonport you can reserve a room on board the ferry. For weekends and the peak season (December to February) it is recommended to book a room up front.
Budget
The pub Molly Malones has a couple of rooms upstairs starting from 15 AUD per night. One double room with en suite (50 AUD) for the posh backpackers.
There is also a backpackers situated behind the old Devonport Hospital, beds start at 13 AUD in a dorm.
Get out
More from Tasmania: Devonport, Hobart, Port Arthur, Swansea (Tasmania) More from Australia: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Capital Territory, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Northern Territory, Outback, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria (state), Western Australia More from Australasia: Australia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea More from Oceania: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Midway Islands, New Zealand, Polynesia |
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