Quick Facts: Port of Devonport | Australia | Devonport Cruise Terminal (also known as the Spirit of Tasmania Terminal) | Docked | ~1 km to city center | AEDT (UTC+11 in summer / UTC+10 in winter)
Devonport is Tasmania’s third-largest city and the gateway to one of Australia’s most underrated island destinations — a place where wild rainforests, world-class food, and some genuinely weird roadside art coexist happily. The most important thing to know before you step off the ship: Devonport itself is compact and walkable, but the real drawcard is what’s beyond it — Cradle Mountain, the Tamar Valley wine region, and the quirky Kentish town of Sheffield are all within reach in a single day if you plan smart.
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Port & Terminal Information
The Devonport Cruise Terminal sits on the eastern bank of the Mersey River, right on the city waterfront. Ships dock here — no tendering required — which means you can be off and exploring within minutes of clearance.
Terminal facilities are modest but functional: there’s a small tourist information point, taxi ranks outside, and basic amenities. There are no ATMs directly inside the terminal, so carry cash or plan to withdraw at one of several banks within a 10-minute walk in the CBD. Wi-Fi is not reliable at the terminal itself; head into town for cafés with free access.
The city center is roughly 1 km from the berth — a flat, easy walk along the riverfront. Check the terminal location on Google Maps before you arrive so you know exactly which direction to head.
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Getting to the City
- On Foot — The riverfront walk into the CBD takes 10–15 minutes along a flat, well-signposted path. Victoria Parade and Rooke Street Mall are your main targets. Most CBD attractions are walkable from there.
- Taxi — A taxi from the terminal to the city center costs AUD $10–15. To Sheffield it’s roughly AUD $60–70 one way; to Latrobe around AUD $25. Use taxis from the official rank outside the terminal. Rideshare via Uber is available in Devonport but coverage can be patchy — book a return cab in advance if heading to outlying areas.
- Bus/Metro — Metro Tasmania operates local bus services from the city center (not directly from the terminal). The walk into town first is easy, and from there routes fan out to surrounding suburbs. Fares start at AUD $3.30. Not useful for Cradle Mountain or Sheffield day trips.
- Rental Car — This is the single best upgrade you can make to your Devonport day. Budget, Hertz, and Europcar all have depots in town (~AUD $70–120/day). If you want Cradle Mountain or the Tamar Valley without a tour, hire a car. It takes under 15 minutes to collect from CBD depots.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO bus service operates in Devonport. Skip this option.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it specifically for Cradle Mountain. The logistics of getting there and back independently in one day are tight, and a guided excursion removes all the stress. Compare what your ship charges against independent options — a Devonport to Cradle Mountain sightseeing tour on Viator often comes in cheaper. 🎟 Book: Devonport Cradle Mt Sightseeing tour
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Top Things to Do in Devonport Tasmania, Australia
Devonport punches above its weight — here’s how to spend your hours wisely, from the waterfront to the wilderness.
Must-See
1. Bass Strait Maritime Centre (AUD $10 adults / AUD $5 children) — Devonport’s relationship with the sea is long and occasionally dramatic, and this museum tells the whole story: shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the famous Spirit of Tasmania ferry. Well-curated, compact, and 45 minutes well spent. Find guided shore excursions combining the city and surrounds on GetYourGuide. Allow 45–60 mins.
2. Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Museum (AUD $5) — Perched on Mersey Bluff overlooking the sea, this is Tasmania’s most significant collection of Aboriginal rock engravings. The engravings here are thousands of years old and the context provided inside the centre is genuinely moving. Allow 1 hour.
3. Mersey Bluff Lighthouse (free) — A short walk from Tiagarra, this working 1889 lighthouse offers sweeping views over Bass Strait and the river mouth. Best in morning light, and lovely even if the lighthouse itself isn’t open for entry. Allow 20–30 mins.
4. Rooke Street Mall & Devonport CBD (free) — Devonport’s pedestrian main street has a good mix of local shops, cafés, and the iconic Devonport cinema. Nothing flashy, but an authentic slice of Tasmanian town life. Allow 30 mins.
Beaches & Nature
5. Coles Beach & Don Heads (free) — A 10-minute drive west of the terminal, Coles Beach is a quiet stretch of sand popular with locals. The adjacent Don Heads reserve has short walking tracks through coastal scrub. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
6. Mersey River Walk (free) — The path along the eastern bank of the Mersey River from the terminal north to Mersey Bluff is flat, scenic, and completely free. It links the waterfront, Tiagarra, and the lighthouse in one easy loop. Allow 1–2 hours at a leisurely pace.
Day Trips
7. Cradle Mountain (~1.5 hours each way) — One of Australia’s great wilderness landscapes: a jagged dolerite peak reflected in Dove Lake, ringed by ancient rainforest. If you have a full day, this is where to spend it. Book a Devonport Cradle Mountain sightseeing tour on Viator to take the stress out of getting there and back. 🎟 Book: Devonport Cradle Mt Sightseeing tour Alternatively, a private transfer from Devonport to Cradle Mountain gives you flexibility. 🎟 Book: Private One-way Transfer from Devonport to Cradle Mountain Allow a full day.
8. Sheffield — “Town of Murals” (free to wander) — This small farming town 30 km south of Devonport has covered nearly every exterior wall in detailed historical murals — over 80 at last count. Combine it with a stop in nearby Railton (topiary capital of Australia) for a genuinely quirky half-day. 🎟 Book: Devonport Sheffield Burnie Shore Excursion Sightseeing Allow 2–3 hours.
9. Tamar Valley Wine Region & Chocolate (~45 mins from Devonport) — Tasmania’s cool-climate pinot noir and sparkling wines are world-class, and the Tamar Valley is the heartland. Pair it with a stop at a local chocolate producer for a wickedly enjoyable afternoon. A Devonport area wine and chocolate tour on Viator covers the highlights without the driving. 🎟 Book: Devonport Area Wine and Chocolate Tour Allow 4–5 hours.
Family Picks
10. Home Hill — Joseph Lyons Historic Home (AUD $12 adults / AUD $5 children) — The restored home of Australia’s only Tasmanian-born Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons. Well-presented and accessible for older kids interested in history. Allow 45–60 mins.
11. Devonport Visitor Information Centre — Paranaple Arts Centre (free to enter) — A striking contemporary arts and visitor centre on the waterfront that also hosts touring exhibitions. Great first stop off the ship. Allow 20–30 mins.
Off the Beaten Track
12. Latrobe — “Home of the Platypus” (~20 mins drive) — The small town of Latrobe sits on the Warrawee platypus reserve, where you can genuinely see wild platypus in Warrawee Park at dusk. It also hosts a surprisingly good antiques scene and the Lucas Hotel, one of Tasmania’s oldest pubs. Allow 2 hours.
13. Fossil Bluff, Wynyard (~45 mins west) — The oldest marsupial fossil in Australia was found in the sandstone cliffs here. The bluff itself is dramatic, the beach below is deserted, and you’ll likely have it nearly to yourself. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
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What to Eat & Drink
Tasmania has one of Australia’s most exciting food cultures — hyperlocal, producer-driven, and quietly proud of it. Devonport’s café and restaurant scene punches above its size, and you’re well within range of extraordinary local produce: Atlantic salmon, King Island dairy, cool-climate berries, and craft beer from a thriving microbrewery scene.
- Drift Café — Relaxed waterfront café popular with locals; excellent eggs, smashed avo, and strong Tasmanian single-origin coffee. Near the CBD. ~AUD $15–22.
- Mannafest Café — Long-running local favourite on Stewart Street known for generous breakfasts and honest lunches. ~AUD $14–20.
- House of Anvers Chocolate Factory Café (Latrobe, ~20 mins) — A Belgian chocolatier who settled in Tasmania and never left. Hot chocolate, truffles, and chocolate-laced desserts. ~AUD $8–16.
- Laneway 8 — Small plates and local wine in a relaxed CBD setting. Good place to try Tasmanian cheese and charcuterie. ~AUD $18–28.
- Providore Fine Foods (Latrobe) — Artisan deli stocking exceptional local produce: jams, smoked meats, local honey, and Tasmanian wine. Great for ship provisions. ~AUD $5–30.
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🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Devonport Tasmania, Australia
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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