Devonport is a lot more than a ferry stop, it has a vibrant local community who are welcoming to visitors and an array of attractions bound to delight travellers of every age. With the good food, beautiful scenery, heritage vibe and cultural richness that Tasmania is famous for on full display here, Devonport is a place you’ll feel inspired to linger in.
Railway Relic
Tasmania’s passenger railway is now a thing of the past, but a relic of the system exists, the beloved “Don” – the Don River Railway. They have their very own “Thomas the Tank Engine” that is sure to delight younger visitors, and their workshop and museum is filled with interesting interactive displays. You can ride a rain to the Beach here any day of the week, but the Steam Engines run on Sundays only, so if you’re wanting the real vintage experience, time your visit carefully.
History in the Straight
The Bass Straight Maritime Centre, formerly known as the Devonport Maritime Museum, is full of fascinating memorabilia from Devonport’s seafaring past and present. You can tap out some Morse code, try your hand at some semaphore, and even experience a simulation of being on a steamer during a storm. You can head out on the open water for real on the Julie Burgess Ketch for a two-hour cruise to really make a day of it.
Market Gold
The Devonport Farmers Market bills itself as “Australia’s Market Garden” and they take their commitment to fresh produce very seriously. You can fill your basket with Devonport’s freshest offerings every second Saturday, and once a month they add craft and design stalls to the mix as well. Devonport’s farms contribute more than 40% of Tasmania’s food, so these farmers are full of pride for good reason.
Regional Gallery Wanderings
Once a Baptist church and more than a hundred years old, this thoughtfully refurbished building is now the Devonport Regional Gallery. Every thing on show here is from Tasmanian artists only, showcasing the best and brightest talents from the Apple Isle. They have an extensive photography collection too with more than twenty thousand negatives in their archives, so you can get a glimpse of Devonport’s rich history here.
Antique Emporium Discoveries
If you love antiques and second hand treasures, then the Antique Emporium is a must see – its an absolutely massive second-hand market with treasures piled up to the ceiling. You never know what you might find here and that’s half the fun – from the utterly kitsch, to the supremely exquisite, there are all kinds of incredible pieces here. They also have a fantastic book selection as well, so if you’re a bibliophile on the hunt for those precious first editions you’re going to have a fantastic time exploring here.
Platypus Glimpses
If you’d love to get a look at the elusive Platypus, then a trip to the Tasmanian Arboretum should be on your itinerary. There’s a whole colony of platypi here, so your chances of seeing one is very good as you walk around the lake – of course there’s beautiful gardens to admire here too along with a great picnic area, so settle in for a relaxing time.
