Devonport Tasmania: You’re Welcome… and That’s No Bluff!
February 16th, 2011 | 
Author: Devonport Tasmania issues a welcome to passengers arriving at the Apple Isle via ferry, travelling from Melbourne in Victoria across Bass Strait.
But Devonport is so much more than a docking station for the Spirit of Tasmania boats. We set out to discover more about the city of Devonport in Tasmania’s North West Coast tourism zone.
The Spirit of Tasmania rests overnight in Devonport
Devonport Tasmania – You’re Welcome!
You’re Welcome is the town’s tourism slogan, and that definitely applies at the Visitor Information Centre. The council owned and operated travel agency is located in Formby Road (across the Mersey River from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal). Open seven days and stocking a good range of brochures, the Centre is a sensible place to start your exploration of the region.
The Tourist Information Centre in Devonport, Tasmania
Maritime Museum
Built in the 1920′s, the former home of the harbour master is now home to a collection of maritime memorabilia. Boasting all the bells and whistles associated with ships and navigation, the museum faces Bluff Road. Nearby you will also find the town’s controversial bronze sculpture, Spirit of the Sea .
Maritime Museum, Gloucester Ave, Devonport Tasmania
Mersey Bluff
Looking to walk or ride in Devonport? Tasmania has a range of fitness challenges, but the river foreshore offers a gentle option. From the city centre, you can stroll or pedal around the Mersey Bluff past sculptures and lookouts to the lighthouse. Take your camera to capture river and coastal views; interesting historical features; the blowhole and even aboriginal rock carvings.
The Mersey Bluff Lighthouse in Devonport Tasmania
Don River Railway
This tourist attraction is operated by a bevvy of volunteers and is located at Don (a suburb of Devonport). The special feature is a train journey running through a bushland reserve along the Don River towards Mersey Bluff. The ride takes 1/2 an hour but entrance fees include access to everything at the site. A railway-focused museum is housed in the station building; there’s a signal station, a workshop and an abundance of trains in the yard.
Don River Railway: Devonport tourist attraction highlight
We have published a separate article with more images…
Don River Railway
Pandemonium
Here’s one for the kids: the Devonport Discovery and Adventure Centre! Incorporating the Imaginarium Science Centre with laser skirmish, rock climbing and jungle gyms for the younger age group. The science section hosts travelling exhibitions and boasts hands-on exhibits and displays. Pendemonium reigns from Tuesday to Sunday (open Mondays for public and school holidays).
Pendemonium in Devonport! Imaginarium Science Centre
Home Hill
Perhaps you’re looking for a little political history during your Tasmanian tour. What about a visit to the home of a former Tasmanian Government Premier and Prime Minister, now a National Trust property? Joseph Lyons and his wife Enid built this stunning weatherboard home in Devonport in 1916. The house is still furnished with the Lyon family’s original belongings and is open to the public.
Home Hill: home of Tasmania's only Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons
Antique Emporium
Shopping for souvenirs before boarding the Spirit of Tasmania? No ordinary antique shop, the Antique Emporium is aptly named and found on Formby Road not far from the Visitor Information Centre. The huge shed houses a bizarre range of wares arranged over several levels. They sell books, furniture, giftware, garden products… even lollies and jams. And then there’s the pirate ship!
The Antique Emporium: Formby Road, Devonport Tasmania
Australian Weaving Mills
Factory outlet is an over-used term these days, but you can still find a genuine version in Tasman Street, Devonport. Tasmanian bargains from the retail shop include Dickies, Esprit and Dri-Glo products. The outlet is open to the public from Monday to Friday (9.30 – 3.00) and again on Saturday mornings (9.00 until 12.00).
Devonport Tasmania: Australian Weaving Mills factory outlet
Regional Art Gallery
The gallery collections are displayed in a former Baptist Church, built in 1904. The amazing building in Stewart Street (near the Devonport shopping mall) was formerly the town library. Now refurbished, the fine and decorative art gallery shows predominately Tasmanian-made work and is open at least four hours every day.
Devonport Regional Gallery
Other Towns near Devonport Tasmania
Within easy driving proximity of Devonport, other Tasmanian towns are waiting to be discovered. Latrobe is to the south, an excellent heritage town boasting fine buildings, parklands and tourist attractions. Port Sorell lies to the east and is a small seaside community with lovely, sheltered beaches. Also within striking distance are Sheffield (the Town of Murals) and the coastal holiday hub of Ulverstone.
Port Sorell: beach community near Devonport in Tasmania's north
Touring Supplies for Spirit Arrivals
Devonport seems to have more shops, services and accommodation than most cities of this size. With a residential population of 25,000+, Devonport is also the regional headquarters for a large rural community. Tourists arriving in Tasmania via the Spirit or the local airport, can purchase the majority of standard supplies from
- the supermarket-based shopping centre in Best Street
- the shopping strip in William Street
- the Rooke Street Mall
Rooke Street shopping mall, Devonport Tasmania
Gourmet Food
The farms around Devonport Tasmania are sometimes referred to as Australia’s market garden. Producing an estimated 40% of Tasmanian vegetables, crops include potatoes, onions, peas, carrots and beans. Keen to sample some of the local delights (think seafood, beef, cheese, chocolate, wine, beer…) we tried to find a business called Gourmet to Go, which was supposed to be located in Oldaker Street (according to the obviously outdated brochure!!).
Capsicum from Lillico (near Devonport) Tasmania
Anyway, we’ll return that mission (eat and drink) to our list of things to do, for the next time we visit Devonport Tasmania. And there WILL be a next time!
Map: Devonport Tasmania…
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Posted in North West Coast, Tasmanian Beaches, Tasmanian Food and Drink, Tasmanian History, Tasmanian Markets and Shopping, Tasmanian National Parks, Forests and Reserves, Tasmanian People, Tasmanian Things to Do, Tasmanian Travel & Transport | 
Tags: Aboriginals, Airlines, Arts, Bass Strait, Boats, Devonport, Latrobe, Maps, Produce, Railways, Rivers, Spirit of Tasmania, Tourism, Travel Destination
8 Responses to “Devonport Tasmania: You’re Welcome… and That’s No Bluff!”
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I was in the chair at a Devonport dentist. He knew that I was a tourist and proceeded to charge me double for a simple filling! He had travelled the world but he had never been in a shop like Reliquaire.
The shop is situated on the main street of Latrobe just twenty minutes from Devonport and, if you’re travelling with kids, this is the place to go.
Adults will wonder at the variety and colossal amount of stock that adorns the floors, walls and ceilings of this 20 room building.(How do they stocktake?)
The cost of the filling and the good advice made my day for without it I would never have known that Reliquaire existed.
I also love shops like the one you describe. I’ve realised Latrobe has a lot to offer – much more than you can manage as just a detour from Devonport.
For those travelling back to the mainland on the Spirit, Petuna Seafoods is the place to go to stock up with fresh fish, crays and oysters.
Petuna is situated on the left hand side of Tarleton Street as you approach the ferry terminal.
The charming ladies will advise you on the best buy and will pack your choice on ice in a polystyrene container. Whole, fresh ocean trout is great value as are the sealed packs of salmon and, for the foody, seawater charr is available on rare occasions.
Isn’t it great that you can take fresh produce out of Tassie – something to prolong the holiday?
Hi Tania, We have recently purchased Gourmet 2 Go in Devonport. I have been doing some searching and came accross this site. You were so close if you were in Oldaker Street. The shop address is Oldaker Street but the shop front is just around the corner in Kempling Street. Next time you are in Devonport come in and check us out. I have attached the web site for your info. http://www.gourmet2go.com.au.
Regards Greg
Hello yourself, Greg! Glad you found us, and congratulations on the purchase of Gourmet 2 Go. One of the great things about Think Tasmania… people can update details about their business themselves. Well done for that, and we’ll definitely call in next time we’re in the region.
Kind Regards,
Tania
The pictures of Devonport that are above are amazing! They really do show someone who hasn’t been to the state the true value Devonport has to offer. A great place to be, with a lot of entertainment for everyone to enjoy and great places to see along the coast.
Glad you like the photos, and thanks for your kind words. We love Devonport too ~ it’s certainly a great place to visit.