Devonport
Devonport is one of the larger towns in the state of Tasmania in Australia. It is one of the major portals into the state, as the trans-Tasman ferry from the mainland arrives in the city on a daily basis.
Devonport is a largely industrial town, although not as much as nearby Burnie. It is the closest point of arrival to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park in central Tasmania, eighty minutes by road from the Devonport airport.
Get in
By boat
Devonport is the major arrival port for passenger ferries to Tasmania from the mainland. Passenger vessels are operated by Spirit of Tasmania (tel 1800 634 906 within Australia). The current fare seasons are shoulder (26 January 2006 - 30 April 2006, 1 September 2006 - 16 December 06), peak (17 December 2006 - 25 January 2007) and off-peak ( 1 May 2006 - 31 August 2006).
- The Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II travel the Melbourne-Devonport route overnight departing 8pm and arriving 7am, with additional daytime crossings in times of high demand departing 9am and arriving 7pm in shoulder and peak times. Daytime passenger seats are available from $99 for adults, $88 for children (shoulder) and $145 adults and $110 children (peak). Nighttime cruise seats are available from $115 adults, $88 children (shoulder), $145 adults and $110 children (peak) and $108 adults and $82 children (off-peak). Standard cars are transported with passengers from $59 all year round.
- The Spirit of Tasmania III travels the Sydney-Devonport route. It departs Sydney at 4pm on Fridays arriving Davenport Saturdays 1pm, and departs Sundays 5pm arriving Mondays 2pm. During part of the shoulder and peak seasons, there is an additional trip leaving 6pm Tuesdays, arriving 3pm Wednesdays. A berth in a shared cabin is from $256 (shoulder), $270 (peak) and $230 (off-peak). Standard cars are transported with passengers from $59 all year round.
The vessels have several other types of accommodation for an additional fare including business class seats on Spirit of Tasmania I and II, hostel style accommodation on Spirit of Tasmania III, and cabins on all vessels. Discount APEX fares are available for return bookings made 15 days in advance.
The terminal is on the Mersey River, conveniently located near the center of the town.
By plane
Devonport airport is served by several airlines. Qantaslink 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 and Hobart from the airport.
By car
Devonport is 270km(140 miles) from Hobart by road, and only 80km (60 miles) from Launceston.
See
- 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 steamtrain and pioneer-style museum.
Get out
The departure times for the Spirit of Tasmania ferries returning to the mainland are:
- The Melbourne ferry departs nightly at 9pm, arriving 7am. When the daytime ferry is running, it departs at 9am, arriving 7pm.
- The Sydney ferry departs Thursdays 3pm, arriving Fridays 1pm; and departs Saturdays 4pm, arriving Sundays 2pm. In parts of the shoulder and peak seasons, there is a third departure at Mondays 5pm, arriving Tuesdays 3pm.