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Australia🇦🇺 | townsDevonportFerry arrival, Mersey Bluff, Bass Strait history | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Devonport
👌 Worth visitingtown ranked #20
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

Most people reach Devonport because the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong docks here, and the town is easy to underrate once you roll off. Its quiet foreshore and Mersey Bluff are the real draw. Devonport sits on the Mersey River, on Tasmania’s north-west coast in Australia. I arrived on the overnight ferry, and the vehicle queue moved slower than the sunrise, so I would skip the rush and have breakfast on the foreshore. Hostel life is small and quiet. Book the sailing early, since it sells out.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #20 town in AustraliaWhy Devonport should be on your travel list

Devonport suits slow travelers who want a soft landing in Tasmania. The Mersey Bluff loop, the Tiagarra Aboriginal centre and the Don River Railway are close enough to link on foot or by bike, and the flat streets make that easy. Most people stay one or two nights before heading to Cradle Mountain or Launceston. Evenings are calm, with a few pubs and little nightlife, so solo travelers may meet others mostly at the hostel or on day tours. Hikers and campervan drivers get the most from it.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and Foreshore: The red-and-white striped Mersey Bluff Lighthouse (1889) anchors a coastal walking loop with beaches and rock pools. Free, 1 to 2 hours, best at sunset.
  2. Tiagarra Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Centre: Displays and rock engravings on the Bluff explain the Aboriginal history of the north coast. It opens only by appointment for groups of 10 or more, booked through Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation.
  3. Devonport Maritime Museum: A small museum in a former pilot station telling the story of Bass Strait shipping. Entry roughly A$5 to 10, 45 minutes, daytime.
  4. Don River Railway: Heritage steam and diesel trains run on a short track just out of the center, with a train shed to explore. Tickets about A$20 to 30, 1 to 2 hours, best on running days.
  5. Home Hill: The restored
… read more 👉
  1. Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and Foreshore: The red-and-white striped Mersey Bluff Lighthouse (1889) anchors a coastal walking loop with beaches and rock pools. Free, 1 to 2 hours, best at sunset.
  2. Tiagarra Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Centre: Displays and rock engravings on the Bluff explain the Aboriginal history of the north coast. It opens only by appointment for groups of 10 or more, booked through Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation.
  3. Devonport Maritime Museum: A small museum in a former pilot station telling the story of Bass Strait shipping. Entry roughly A$5 to 10, 45 minutes, daytime.
  4. Don River Railway: Heritage steam and diesel trains run on a short track just out of the center, with a train shed to explore. Tickets about A$20 to 30, 1 to 2 hours, best on running days.
  5. Home Hill: The restored 1916 home of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and Dame Enid Lyons, with period furniture and gardens. Entry around A$10 to 15, 1 hour, limited opening days.
For day trips, Latrobe’s platypus-spotting and chocolate stops, Sheffield’s murals and Cradle Mountain lie within reach. Most visitors skip the Maritime Museum, and it tells the ferry story better than anywhere else.
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🏘️ NeighborhoodsNeighborhood guide to Devonport

Devonport is compact, so the smart move is to skip the car and treat it as three walkable pockets, because the sights sit close but the hills do not.
  • CBD and Rooke Street Mall: Cafes, bakeries and the Imperial Hotel-era pubs cluster here, and the flat grid takes about 15 minutes end to end. Eat early, since many kitchens close by 8 or 9 pm.
  • Bluff and Mersey Bluff Lighthouse: Beaches, a lighthouse, a Tiagarra Aboriginal culture center and coastal paths. It is a 25 to 30 minute flat walk from the center, so pack water and skip the taxi.
  • East Devonport: Across the Mersey River, home to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal. It is quiet, a bit industrial, and not a place to wander, so use it for the ferry and nothing more.
  • Quoiba and the Don River side: Residential, hilly and a short drive from the Don River Railway. Nightlife is basically a pub meal.

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

Walk or cycle most of the day, since the center and Bluff are flat and close. 8:00 AM, Devonport Foreshore: Start with coffee in the center, then stroll the river path toward the Bluff.
9:30 AM, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse: Circle the headland, check the rock pools and look for seabirds.
11:00 AM, Tiagarra: Walk past the cultural centre on the Bluff, which opens only for booked groups of 10 or more.
1:00 PM, Devonport Maritime Museum: Lunch in town, then step into this small and often overlooked museum a short walk or ride from the center.
3:00 PM, Don River Railway: Take a short ride to the rail yard and see the old locomotives.
5:30 PM, Home Hill: Finish at the Lyons home and its gardens, then return for dinner by the river.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Devonport

Summer, December to February, is the easiest window, with highs of 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F) and daylight past 9 pm.
  • Summer: Warmest, busiest and priciest, and the ferry fills up fast.
  • Autumn: Calm days of 15 to 19°C (59 to 66°F), thinner crowds.
  • Winter: Highs of 11 to 13°C (52 to 55°F), wet, with daylight ending near 5 pm.
  • Spring: Windy and changeable, 14 to 17°C (57 to 63°F), with Tulip Festival color at Table Cape nearby.
Book ferry crossings months ahead for January.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The central business district is the best base, with the most budget beds, the bus stops and everything within a 10 minute walk. Evenings are quiet, and while a few pubs get lively on weekends, it is generally safe to walk back after dark. Expect dorms and simple guesthouses rather than a big hostel scene, so reserve ahead in January. The Bluff area suits those wanting beach views and calm, but it sits 25 to 30 minutes on foot from shops and buses. Avoid East Devonport unless an early ferry forces you, as nothing is open late there.
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🚌 Getting aroundGetting around like a local

A Merseylink bus ride costs roughly A$2 to 4 with a tap-on Tassie Go card or cash, and the town is small enough that you will rarely need one. Services thin out sharply in the evening and on Sundays, because ridership is low, so check the timetable before you plan a night out.
  • Walking: The center and the Bluff are flat and free. Wind off Bass Strait is the only real obstacle, so carry a jacket.
  • Local buses: Merseylink and Redline services link Devonport with Latrobe and Spreyton, about A$2 to 5. Last departures are often by early evening.
  • Intercity coaches: Redline runs to Launceston (about 1.5 hours, A$20 to 30) and Burnie. Book online since seats are limited.
  • Taxis and rideshare: Short hops cost A$10 to 20. Nights and ferry arrivals can mean a wait, so book ahead.
  • Rental car: From about A$50
… read more 👉
A Merseylink bus ride costs roughly A$2 to 4 with a tap-on Tassie Go card or cash, and the town is small enough that you will rarely need one. Services thin out sharply in the evening and on Sundays, because ridership is low, so check the timetable before you plan a night out.
  • Walking: The center and the Bluff are flat and free. Wind off Bass Strait is the only real obstacle, so carry a jacket.
  • Local buses: Merseylink and Redline services link Devonport with Latrobe and Spreyton, about A$2 to 5. Last departures are often by early evening.
  • Intercity coaches: Redline runs to Launceston (about 1.5 hours, A$20 to 30) and Burnie. Book online since seats are limited.
  • Taxis and rideshare: Short hops cost A$10 to 20. Nights and ferry arrivals can mean a wait, so book ahead.
  • Rental car: From about A$50 to 90 a day. Tasmania’s sights are spread out, so splitting a car with other travelers saves the most.

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Backpacking in Devonport costs about US$95 a day in high season, and the town’s compact center keeps extras low. You pay in Australian dollars, and card payment is accepted almost everywhere.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$30 to 45Beds are limited, so book ahead in summer (December to February). Off-season runs closer to US$28 to 38.
MealsUS$25 to 35Supermarket groceries, a bakery pie at US$5 to 7, and a pub meal at US$15 to 22.
Local transportUS$3 to 8The center is walkable. Metro Tasmania buses cost a few dollars per ride.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$0 to 12Beaches, Bluff lighthouse and Mersey Bluff walks are free. Museum entry is low.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Laundry, snacks, and a coffee at US$3 to 4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$63 to 110About US$95 with a high-season dorm bed.
… read more 👉
Backpacking in Devonport costs about US$95 a day in high season, and the town’s compact center keeps extras low. You pay in Australian dollars, and card payment is accepted almost everywhere.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$30 to 45Beds are limited, so book ahead in summer (December to February). Off-season runs closer to US$28 to 38.
MealsUS$25 to 35Supermarket groceries, a bakery pie at US$5 to 7, and a pub meal at US$15 to 22.
Local transportUS$3 to 8The center is walkable. Metro Tasmania buses cost a few dollars per ride.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$0 to 12Beaches, Bluff lighthouse and Mersey Bluff walks are free. Museum entry is low.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Laundry, snacks, and a coffee at US$3 to 4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$63 to 110About US$95 with a high-season dorm bed.
Cook in the hostel kitchen and buy lunch ingredients at the supermarket to save around US$15 a day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

Devonport suits day trips well if you have a car, since the north coast sights are 20 to 60 minutes apart and public transport is thin.Latrobe: A 15 minute drive away, Latrobe has a small Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame and a platypus viewing spot. Go at dusk, as the animals are shy by day. Budget A$15 to 30 including entry. First-timers often arrive at noon and see nothing.
Sheffield: About 25 minutes south, this town is covered in murals and sits below Mount Roland. Wander free, then add A$10 to 15 for lunch. Autumn gives the best light.
Table Cape: About 1 hour west near Wynyard, this lookout has tulip fields in spring (early October) and sweeping Bass Strait views. Entry to the farm runs about A$15 to 20. Many visitors arrive after the peak bloom, so check dates first.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Devonport is broadly safe, and most problems are petty. Keep valuables out of parked cars at the Bluff and trailheads, where break-ins happen. Solo travelers can walk the center at night comfortably, though a few pubs get rowdy on weekends, and East Devonport is deserted after dark. Wildlife is the bigger risk on country roads at dusk, so drive slowly. Weather swings fast, so carry layers.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Devonport

Devonport works as a gateway more than a destination, but a night or two is rewarding. The Mersey Bluff coastal walk, the Tiagarra cultural center and the platypus spotting at nearby Latrobe fill a day, and it is the arrival point for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong, an overnight crossing of about 9 to 11 hours.
Two days is enough: one for the town and Bluff, one for Latrobe and Sheffield. Add a third if you plan to visit Cradle Mountain, about 1.5 hours by road, or Table Cape in spring. Use Devonport as a base only if you have a car, since buses are sparse.
Yes, from Launceston, which is about 1.5 hours away by Redline coach for roughly A$20 to 30 each way. A day trip lets you see the Bluff and the Latrobe platypus spot, but you would miss evening wildlife. Check coach times, since last services leave early evening.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian towns near Devonport

Explore more nearby:

  • Burnie—Penguin breakwater, Emu Bay foreshore, Tasmanian art| 40 km away
  • Warrnambool—Southern right whale calving, shipwreck village, Lady Bay breakwater, Great Ocean Road end| 455 km away
  • Port Fairy—Whitewashed cottages, Griffiths Island lighthouse, working wharf, Moyne River| 470 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Give Devonport one night, two if you want the Bluff and museums without hurrying. I would skip long stays and use it as a calm launch into Tasmania, then move on to the mountains.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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