Devonport Things to Do

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I first came upon it one drizzly morning just after I had alighted from the Spirit of Tasmania. Even in the gloom it was impressive, perhaps even more so because of it.
The imposing bronze of Neptune mounted on its plinth marks a sense of arrival for thousands of visitors who arrived on the Spirit of Tasmania.
"The Spirit of the Sea acknowledges the importance of sea travellers to the residents of Devonport and acts as a bastion that separates the sea from the land," Mr Best said at its unveiling.
The Aden McLeod statue cost about $250,000 -- $180,000 from the State Government and the rest through a public appeal.
Mr Best and Devonport Mayor Lynn Laycock said it would be an important drawcard for the region and, all though I don't think it will draw many, I think it's a wonderful statue in an appropriate place where the Mersey meets the sea.

This is one of the more eyecatching bits of architecture dating back to 1899. The following is the blurb from a real estate agent in 2013. "Perched proudly in one of Devonport's heritage areas, with one of the best views in town, sits this historic property - Macfie Manor. This stunning 411m2 (approx.) circa 1890's residence beautifully exemplifies the architecture of the Victorian period, with sympathetic upgrading. Formerly operated as a well-known "B & B" for 16 years, with six fully ensuited king size bedrooms, each with its own charm and character. As you enter you will be greeted by an entrance area which leads to the grand sweeping staircase to the upper level. The residence offers an array of formal and informal living areas, to the right of the entrance is the formal dining area, which then leads through to the living area and continuing on to the kitchen. Flawlessly presented, the property retains its original character with high ceilings, hand painted stained glass windows, Victorian cornices, ceiling roses and antique light fittings. Additional features include solar power, natural gas hot water and heating and a PBX phone system to all rooms. Set amidst beautiful gardens including a variety of fruit trees, fresh water tank, a single garage and plenty of space for extra parking. This property is truly majestic, and the possibilities are endless either as a stunning private residence or a bed and breakfast."

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Deloraine...........IS TASMANIA'S LARGEST INLAND TOWN......

IS A CLASSIFIED NATIONAL TRUST TOWN.......

AND HOME OF THE TASMANIAN CRAFT FAIR.

The Craft fair, which has 200+ exhibitors, attracts about 30,000 around November each year , so make sure you book you accommodation early if coming to that!
Its a working craft fair, so you can try some "crafty" things.....like....candle wicking,
............or just watch items such as kites, hand blown glass ware, wood carvings, leadlighting etc be done by the craft person.
In town, all year round, there are plenty of art and craft galleries to browse through, plenty of talented people around here!

Deloraine is surrounded by 'English-style' countryside of rolling green hills, hedgerows, and working farms.......the town itself is pretty, being located on the banks of the Meander river, and has a nice park alongside....we ate our lunch here, bought from a good Bakery in town.

Georgian and Victorian buildings, many which have been restored, I find beautiful! and there are plenty to see here
You can either walk or drive, I prefer the walking, think you can see so much more this way.

Yarns Artwork in Silk, a community-based art project which depicts the four seasons through artwork in silk. This is on show at the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre.

This was one of my favorite Tassie towns!
Make time to stop the car, and go for a walk around if you are only passing through!

Hawley beach is a nice mainly untouched area which had beach, sheltered inlets, and lovely boulders covered in a red lichen. We found this to be a lovely quiet area to wander around the foreshores and we also did see some Tasmanian Forester kangaroo's.
There also is a national park where you can go walking, is meant to have quite a bit of wildlife.

Hawley House is located here. It is included in the ABC Open garden scheme, but the gardens were not open when we were there. It is a large old residence, built in 1878, by a retired Indian Army officer, Major Dumbleton, and named after the Dumbleton family home in 'Hawley House' in Aldershot, England. It fell into neglect until Colonel Houghton, another Indian Army Officer bought & restored it, and now there is fine dining, accommodation and weddings & events are held here.

Port Sorell is known as ‘Port of Golden Beaches and Gateway to Narawntapu National Park’.

Here, there is a chance to see the penguins returning to their burrows at dusk from October to March at Lillico Beach or Point Sorrell

It is only about 20kms from Devonport

We just happened to be staying at Devonport when the Melbourne to Devonport Yacht race was being held. We saw the winning Yacht enter the Mersey river, and spoke to the Wife of the Skipper, she was so excited that her husband had come in 1st!~

We had walked to the River bank foreshore and the viewing platform which was a great vantage point for viewing boats and ships as they entered and left the river. After watching for a while, we then returned to the Caravan park via the Lighthouse at the ‘Bluff’ headland and the blowhole and aboriginal rock carvings.

You can continue onto Coles Beach, Lookouts, and the Don Bushland Reserve which follows the Don River and concludes at the Don River Railway. If you did this, the entire walk would be about 9kms on flat, paved pathways.

This was a tourist attraction that we found pretty disappointing.

We boarded a steam train for a short journey along the banks of the Don river. It was advertised as scenic, but to us, it really wasn't anything special. It stopped at the Beach.....you can remain at the beach to explore or do what-ever, and catch a later Train back.
Trains leave Coles Beach at 20 minutes past the hour.

The round trip is 30minutes.
Trains run 7days a week between 10am - 4pm.

The yards have the largest collection of steam locomotives in Tasmania dating between 1879 to 1951. There is a museum of railway memorabilia including a photo display and a souvenir and gift shop provides light refreshments.

Station open hours: 9am until 5pm

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Like flowers? then have a wander around Mason's Fuchsia farm, and if you wish, buy one to take home.
Mason’s Fuchsia Fantasy started approx. 20 years ago as a hobby for Stephanie Mason. As well as Fuchsia's, there is a children’s inside play area, Toilets and a Cafe which does light meals + morning & afternoon teas.
Another plus is the views, spectacular looking over Bass Strait. Currently there are over 1300 varieties of fuchsias on display with no entry cost to see these beautiful plants.

OPEN... Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
And most public holidays from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

No Quarantine restrictions ex. Tasmania

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The Mersey Bluff Lighthouse was established in 1889 and is built of bricks on a stone base.

It replaced a succession of beacons and obelisks that had formerly stood on the site. It also replaced the earlier Don River light. The lighthouse is easily accessible and is in a park 3.5 kilometres west of Devonport. We visited it as part of our bus tour and had time to walk around the area and had lunch there too.