Wholesome Fun Things To Do In Devonport

Devonport is the gateway to Tasmania.

As you step off the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne, you'll find yourself in a coastal city packed with history, natural wonders and culinary experiences. Explore its historic landmarks, beautiful beaches and dive into unforgettable outdoor adventures.

Whether you are interested in tasting the regions chardonnays and pinot noirs or cycling along coastal tracks,  or you simply just want to experience the Tassy vibe, Devonport has something for every traveller. Discover the city’s cultural, natural and historical treasures with our guide to wholesome fun things to do in Devonport.

Notable landmarks in Devonport include the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, a historic beacon that has guided ships navigating the Bass Strait’s rough waters, unpredictable weather and rocky cliff-lined coastline since 1889. Located on the headland at the west side of the Murray river mouth, the lighthouse’s striking white tower, accented with vertical red stripes, stands as a symbol of maritime heritage in Devonport. It’s a popular spot for coastal walks and taking photos at sunset.

The Bass Strait Maritime Museum features a range of exhibits, artefacts, the Harbourmaster’s residence and interactive displays, including a steam ship simulator. Here you can learn more about the sailors, shipbuilders and explorers who founded Devonport.

Discover the history behind Home Hill, the former residence of Australia’s Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons and his trailblazing wife, Dame Enid Lyons, the first woman to serve in parliament. You will get glimpses of their political legacy and family life raising eleven children and are able to explore the well-preserved interiors. You can also wander through the gardens that surround the property.

Devonport offers many walking and cycling trails including the Don River/Coles Beach loop which encompasses beaches, rivers and bushland. And the 2.8km Eastern Foreshore Heritage Walk, between Thomas Street and Tea Tree Lane.

Go on a walking wine tour along the North West Wine Trail which includes tastings, hiking through bushland and a chocolate tasting at House of Anvers. The Devonport Cycleway takes you along the Mersey River foreshore to the Bass Strait coast and the Don Reserve.

Only an hour and half drive from Devonport is the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is one of the last untouched wilderness areas on earth stretching over 1.5 million hectares. It is made up of seven national parks and represents many of Tasmania’s great multi-day bushwalks.

Whether you're hiking the Overland Track in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, or walking along the Southwest National Park’s coastal tracks, this area of outstanding international importance, has you covered for all your hiking adventures. You will also be able to see Tasmanian Aboriginal rock art, hand stencils and archaeological sites in this vast wilderness.

Set sail on the historic Tall Ship Julie Burgess and explore the northwest coast from the Mersey river to the Bass Strait. Experience hoisting the sales, stunning coastal views and local wildlife. Enjoy light refreshments on board while learning more about this historic ketch, the last of its kind from the Bass Strait fishing fleet.

Coles Beach is a great place to try out water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding or windsurfing. The nearby Devonport Surf Life Saving Club offers lessons and equipment hire for these activities.

Devonport’s culinary culture is deeply rooted in its maritime history. Its characterised by daily-catches, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and paddock-to-table produce. From salmon to honey, cheese to chocolate, and beef to pork – the regions is a veritable living pantry. Devonport’s exceptional vineyards play an integral role in its culinary scene.

Local wineries like Eastford Creek Vineyard and Ghost Rock Wines offer special dining experiences. Enjoy a glass of Eastford Creek chardonnay and a gourmet platter while taking in the views of vines. At The Eatery at Ghost Rock, enjoy Scottsdale pork belly with rhubarb relish, apple salad and crackling crumble paired with Ghost Rock’s Supernatural Pinot Noir.

Visit the Ashgrove Cheese Stall conveniently located on Bass Highway between Launceston and Devonport and stock up on cloth-wrapped cheddar and blue cheese. Get your picnic food, cured meats and pickles from Hill Street Grocer and rib-eye and sirloins from A Cut Above Quality Meats for outdoor barbecues. Peter and Una Seafoods sell fresh seafood, Tasmanian wine and cheeses, and gourmet hampers made-to-order.

Restaurants to try while in Devonport include the Brown Bear Eatery, it's the go-to-spot for brunch and lunch. Early birds can enjoy the corn and zucchini fritter stacks outdoors, under the umbrellas. Try the pulled brisket nachos with all the trimmings paired with a refreshing ginger beer float. Drift Cafe is situated right on the water and offers stunning views of the ocean. It’s a great place to unwind and enjoy beachside brunch, soft-shell prawn tacos and slider burgers.

Mrs Jones Restaurant, located in a heritage building on Bluff Road, offers modern Australian food with a focus on fresh seafood.  Dine on scallops with lime and chilli salsa, grilled barramundi with saffron risotto, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. For a more casual dining experience at Mrs. Jones – head to the bar where you can enjoy small plates, cocktails, craft beers and live music performances on the weekend.

Explore the various Mercy Bluff Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural sites and rock art, and visit the Tiagarra Cultural Centre one of Australia's oldest Aboriginal-run centres. The centre shares the history and stories of the Palawa people, giving you the opportunity to learn more about and appreciate Tasmania's Indigenous history.

The Devonport Regional Gallery offers a dynamic arts program in its three galleries at the Paranaple Arts Centre in Market Square. Presenting guest curated showcases, in-house curated displays, and touring exhibitions, the gallery celebrates Tasmanian art, craft, and design.

The gallery also supports emerging talent through its artists programme with new artist works being displayed in the Little Gallery. The gallery is open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays and public holidays. The gallery is closed on Sundays.

The Town Hall Theatre also at the Paranaple Arts Centre offers an entertaining program of touring theatrical productions from all over Australia.

Relaxation is the secret ingredient to an enjoyable holiday, especially when you are out and about exploring from sun up to sunset. Scheduling downtime in your holiday itinerary gives you a chance to recharge.

Hit the beach for some downtime. Mercy Bluff Beach offers beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding mountains, making it a great place to relax and unwind. The beach is also popular for swimming, sunbathing and paddleboarding.

There are plenty of walking trails along the coast where you can take in the views and watch for dolphins and seals. Back beach is located on the western side of Mercy Bluff Reserve and is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The beach offers stunning views of the of the lighthouse. The beach has public toilets, picnic shelters, electric barbecues, a playground and outdoor showers.

Coles Beach with its stunning views of the Bass Straight, calm waters, BBQ facilities and picturesque walking paths, is a lovely spot to spend the day with your family. 

Located just a short drive from Coles Beach, East Devonport Beaches' long stretch of sand offers calm waters and plenty of space to relax and unwind. The beach also has a playground and BBQ facilities making it a great spot for families.

Devonport is known for its strong community spirit with events including the Twilight Market and the annual Jazz Festival. These events celebrate the local community, showcasing both local talent and offering enjoyable experiences for visitors.

The Devonport Jazz Festival is a popular four-day event that takes place annually over the last weekend of July. Music performances take place in different venues across Devonport. Aside from jazz, you can also enjoy blues, gospel, and acapella performed by local, national and international artists. The festival includes family-friendly events with activities for kids of all ages. Highlights of the festival include big swing bands, tributes to jazz legends, gypsy jazz and appearances by Australian Jazz Hall of Famers.

The Devonport Twilight Market takes place once a month on Friday evenings under the Market Square Pavilion. The market features a diverse selection of stores, delicious street food  and live music. 

The Village Market, held on the first Sunday of every month, is a hub of activity featuring local produce, tie-dye clothing, vintage dolls, car boot sales, food stalls, and live music. It’s one of the oldest markets on the northwest coast, and visitors will enjoy being part of the community spirit. The Market operates from 9:00am to 2:00pm from the Don Hall parking lot.

Hop aboard the Don River Railway Steam Train for a scenic heritage journey to Coles Beach and back, a 30 minute round-trip. This adventure offers a fun experience for the whole family and you’ll get to see beautiful views along the eastern banks of the Don river.

Explore the Tasmanian Arboretum, a 66 acre nature reserve filled with trees and plants transplanted from forests in the northern and southern hemispheres. This beautiful spot is a haven for wildlife, birds and platypus – there is a platypus hide at Founders Lake where you can watch these creatures dive for food and go about their day. Bring along a picnic and enjoy a BBQ lunch at the picnic area near the main visitors’ centre. The Arboretum is open daily from 9:00am to 8:00pm during daylight savings time.

Lillico beach, a coastal reserve, just ten-minutes west of Devonport, offers animal and nature lovers a rare experience. The reserve is home to a colony of Little Penguins also known as Fairy Penguins – the smallest penguin species in the world. 

You can see these Fairy Penguins in their natural habitat from a dedicated viewing platform most evenings between September and April. Volunteer guides are generally on the platform each night, during the season to answer any questions you might have. They also come equipped with special red light torches, which makes it easier to spot the Little Penguins. Visitors are not allowed to use their own torches, and no camera flashes either. This is a protective measure to ensure the safety and longevity of the penguins. 

Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre is packed with fun, kid-friendly activities. Kids can enjoy the 25 metre indoor pool and a shallow splash deck with water features.

On weekends and school holidays, there's even a giant inflatable for extra fun. During spring and summer (October to March), the outdoor pools are open and include a heated fifty metre Olympic-size pool,  a-learn-to-swim pool, and a waterslide. There is plenty of space for kids to run around and play on the lawns. As a family you can also sign up for fitness classes or gym together.

• Consider the age and interests of your kids when planning your itinerary. Take into consideration what they are into, and what will keep them interested.
• Pack your swimsuits, flippers and goggles as you’ll probably be spending quite a lot of the time in the water. 
• Wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a fair bit of walking. We suggest wearing hiking boots, sneakers or closed-toe shoes. 
• Bring along sunscreen, hats and drinking water to stay hydrated. 
• Enjoy dining at one of the many cafes and restaurants in Devonport. Or enjoy a picnic or barbecue on the beach.

For warm weather and a myriad of outdoor activities, summer (December to February) is the best time to visit Devonport. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. May is also a great time to visit but be aware that the weather is moderately chilly and windy.

Devonport is easily accessible by both sea and air. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry offers daily crossings from Melbourne, allowing you to bring your car for exploring the island. The journey takes approximately ten and a half hours and there are a range of cabins with ensuite bathrooms or recliners to choose from.

For those who prefer to fly, there are regular seventy-five minute flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Qantas and Rex airlines offer direct flights between Melbourne and Devonport.

Consider staying at Novotel Devonport when visiting Devonport. It is a 4-star hotel set in the heart of the city. Its unbeatable location places you within walking distance of the shopping district, restaurants and the Spirit of Tasmania Terminal. The hotel is a short stroll from Bluff Beach and Devonport Oval football, cricket and athletics stadium. 

The hotel rooms are designed with comfort in mind and range from modern guestrooms to family-friendly spaces with sea view balconies and spacious suites. Dining is a treat at the Mr. Good Guy Asian Bar and Kitchen which serves authentic South East Asian food and cocktails.