Devonport is the largest city in the northwestern region of Tasmania. It and the surrounding region are home to many of Tasmania’s most beautiful and interesting sights. The city of Devonport has a long history stretching back to the early nineteenth century and is best known as the access point for the North West region as well as the home to the Spirit of Tasmania ferries.
The small town of Deloraine in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers offers a glimpse back in time with many original colonial buildings as well as the entrance to the Mole Creek Karst National Park. The national park offers fantastic caves and underground cathedrals with all the natural wonders they possess. The Great Western Tiers are a chain of ancient mountains with thousands of beautiful lakes and underground caverns to explore. The area is teeming with activity and beauty. One of the most popular areas in Tasmania is Cradle Mountain. This mountain is only a short drive from Devonport, and is often the first place on the list of visitors to the area. Not only is Cradle Mountain beautiful and rugged in its own right, it is also the starting point for the six day Overland Track. Cradle Mountain is the northern edge of Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair National Park, just one of the many national parks in the area. Wilderness and Wildlife
Much of the natural beauty of Tasmania can be found in the North West region. The Great Western Tiers offer breathtaking views of the surrounding lush countryside as well as many opportunities for excursions into the wilderness. Natural lakes and caves are found throughout the area, and contained areas such as the Tasmanian Arboretum near Devonport offer glimpses of native species such as the platypus and native trees. For those seeking a less physical means to explore the wilderness of the area, sight seeing flights are available from the Devonport airport. Sights and Activities
There is much to do in and around Devonport. With the Great Western Tiers right outside the city, there is much to do in the outdoors, but plenty of indoor activities are available as well. In Devonport, the home of Australia’s only Tasmanian Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, is available for tour, and the Maritime Museum offers a large collection of model ships. Within Devonport is also the ferry landing for the Spirit of Tasmania. This ferry offers an opportunity to explore the Bass Strait on the way to the mainland. Tiagarra, or the cultural and arts centre dedicated to the Aboriginal inhabitants of the region, is also in the area along with authentic Aboriginal rock carvings. Once out of the city, however, the lush beauty of the region is all encompassing. Many travelers to the region head to Cradle Mountain in the national park to embark on the six day walk through the wilderness on the Overland Track. The track is open all year, but requires special reservations throughout the walking season (November through April.) Along the trail are fantastic waterfalls, Australia’s tallest mountain and the country’s deepest lake. More than 8,000 visitors come to the region to walk the 65 km bush trail every year. If shorter walks are more appealing, the area has many shorter walking opportunities. Almost every town in the region has trails and guided tours of natural attractions. Many of the best walks are in the national parks which encompass forty percent of Tasmania. Mole Creek Karst National Park accessed through Deloraine offers many walks of varying length and intensity. Planning a day walk in the North West is simple and will be duly rewarded with breathtaking sights and wildlife spotting. The Walls of Jerusalem National Park is accessible only by foot so it retains all of the natural beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness. Bushwalkers should be well-equipped and skilled to travel to this park. Other areas of interest within the region include the Devil’s Gullet, Meander Valley Falls, Liffey Falls, the town of Sheffield and Railton as well as the Trowunna Wildlife Park. Travel
Travel into the area is accomplished via air travel or ferry. Flights from Melbourne travel directly into Devonport, and the fast traveling ferries, Spirit of Tasmania, offer service seven days a week, year-round from Melbourne and Devonport. Accommodations
Due to the popularity of the ferry landing and convenience of the city, Devonport has many accommodations ranging from the more basic to deluxe. The city is home to twelve four-star or higher hotels or resorts and hundreds of other hotels, resorts, villages and campsites in and around the city. Camping and cabin facilities are available throughout the wilderness areas, including along the Overland Track and along the edges of the National Park. |
