Devonport

Day Trips

Wake up to the gentle hum of coastal breezes as you arrive in Devonport and check into your boutique waterside accommodation. Step out onto the Bluff Hill Reserve for panoramic views of the Mersey River meeting Bass Strait, capturing photos of the yachts bobbing in the harbor. Feel the sea air energise you as you learn the local history from interpretive panels sprinkled along the walking trails.

Head for a leisurely lunch at a waterside cafe, sampling freshly caught Atlantic salmon accompanied by crisp Tasmanian whites. Stroll along Ironhouse Point, letting the sand sift through your toes as you watch windsurfers carve ribbons across the water. Pause at the Devonport Regional Gallery annex overlooking the beach to enjoy contemporary artworks inspired by the sea.

As dusk settles, dine at a waterfront restaurant, indulging in scallops from nearby Furneaux Islands, drizzled with local olive oil. Join a guided sunset walk along the Mersey Bluff, listening for the haunting calls of migratory birds on the shoreline. Return to your hotel to sip a nightcap on your balcony, gazing at the lighthouse beam sweeping across the bay.

Board the vintage carriages of the Don River Railway for a steam-powered journey through lush eucalyptus forest and rolling farmland. Feel the rhythm of steel wheels on tracks as you pass historic stations once bustling with timber and coal freight. Disembark at the museum station to explore restored locomotives and chat with passionate volunteers about the region’s rail heritage.

Wander back into town for a gourmet lunch at a riverfront eatery serving Tasmanian oysters and inventive salads. Spend your afternoon at the Devonport Regional Gallery, admiring exhibitions by local and national artists framed by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking calm waters. Participate in a painting workshop or a curator-led talk to deepen your appreciation of contemporary art.

Dine at a cozy bistro featuring seasonal produce sourced from nearby farms, pairing a Tasmanian pinot noir with seared barramundi. Take an after-dinner stroll along the Mersey Esplanade to watch fishing boats light up as they head out for the night catch. Return to your accommodation and unwind with a good book or a local craft beer in the lounge area.

Rise early to catch the soft pink hues of sunrise over the Bass Strait, then follow the walking track to Mersey Bluff Lighthouse. Learn about the lighthouse’s role in guiding ships through treacherous waters while scanning the horizon for seals basking on offshore rocks. Return along the clifftop trail, pausing to photograph the rugged coastline and wind-sculpted dunes.

Set up a seaside picnic on the golden sands of Coles Beach, sampling artisanal cheeses, smoked salmon and freshly baked sourdough. Relax on a beach blanket as you watch kite surfers harness the coastal breezes and children build sandcastles at the water’s edge. If you’re up for it, join a local surf schools for a beginner’s lesson in the gentle shore break.

Head back into town for a vibrant dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas topped with fresh mussels and onion jam. Enjoy live acoustic music on the outdoor deck while you sip on an award-winning Tasmanian cider. Stroll back under starlit skies, the sound of crashing waves lulling you into relaxation.

Depart early for a scenic drive to Stanley, nestled on Tasmania’s northwest coast, to climb The Nut—a volcanic plug offering 360-degree vistas from its flat summit. Choose the chairlift or the walking path through eucalypt trees to reach the top, spotting wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead. Gaze across Bass Strait to King Island in the east and the far-off silhouette of Tasmania’s rugged West Coast.

Explore the charming streets lined with heritage sandstone cottages, boutique galleries and cafés serving hearty Welsh rarebit. Savor a lunch of hand-shucked scallops paired with a crisp local sauvignon blanc. Spend your afternoon browsing artisan shops or kayaking in calm Stanley Harbour, listening for friendly dolphins near the shore.

Return to Devonport for a relaxed dinner at a floating seafood shack, sampling spicy chili mussels and Tasmanian prawns fresh from the sea. Witness the sun dip below the horizon as you dine, painting the sky in fiery oranges and purples. Wind down with a stroll along the harbor then retire to your accommodation for a good night’s sleep.

Embark on a full-day tour into Tasmania’s wilderness to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, traversing dense myrtle rainforests and alpine heathlands. Pause at Dove Lake for a short guided walk around its shimmering shores, listening for the call of endemic bird species like the black currawong. Breathe in the crisp mountain air and marvel at the jagged peaks mirrored perfectly in the still water.

Refuel with a bush picnic featuring hearty meat pies, locally grown apples and bush pepperberries. Continue along the Enchanted Walk, spying pademelons and wallabies nibbling at the forest undergrowth. If conditions allow, take a steeper ascent to Marion’s Lookout for panoramic valley views before descending back to your coach.

Arrive back in Devonport and treat yourself to dinner at an intimate lodge-style restaurant, indulging in slow-cooked lamb shoulder from nearby farms. Savor a glass of pinot gris by the roaring fireplace, swapping stories of your alpine adventure. Retire early or take a moonlit walk along the waterfront to stretch your legs.

Drive south to Narawntapu National Park, known as Tasmania’s Serengeti, to watch wild kangaroos and pademelons emerge at dawn from coastal woodlands. Follow the gentle Hawks Beach track, learning about dune ecology and ancient Aboriginal shell middens lining the shore. Keep your binoculars ready for glimpses of sea eagles and hooded plovers patrolling the surf.

Enjoy a packed lunch under shaded she-oaks before venturing into the park’s inland trails, where you might spot echidnas digging for ants. Pause at Badger Corner to look for platypus in the calm freshwater lagoons, a sight that feels almost mythical in its rarity. Relish the quiet of the bush interrupted only by birdcalls and rustling leaves.

Drive back to Devonport and dine at a waterfront tavern serving hearty Tasmanian steaks and creamy potato gratin. Join a guided star-gazing session on the hotel lawn, where astronomy enthusiasts point out southern constellations and satellites gliding overhead. Feel the tranquillity settle as nocturnal wildlife begins their nightly routines.

Head to the sandy shores of East Devonport for a beginner-friendly surf lesson with a local instructor who teaches you the basics in shallow, gentle waves. Experience the thrill of riding your first wave and the camaraderie of fellow surfers on the beach. Enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie made with berries from nearby orchards.

Drive inland to Spreyton Orchard, where you stroll among rows of apple, cherry and pear trees heavy with fruit. Participate in a guided tasting of heritage apple varieties, apple ciders and freshly pressed juices. Picnic beneath the branches, enjoying artisanal cheeses and crusty baguettes while birds flit through the canopy above.

Return to Devonport and head to a trendy brewery for dinner, sampling craft beers infused with Tasmanian hops and local botanicals. Pair your flight of beers with gourmet burgers topped with smoked Tasmania cheddar. End the day with a riverside walk, watching the moon shimmer on the dark water.

Embark on a curated tour of local distilleries and cider houses, beginning at a boutique gin distillery where you learn about botanicals foraged from the Tasmanian wilderness. Watch the copper pot still in action and craft your own signature gin shopping for small-batch bottles to take home. Savor a gin-infused breakfast cocktail paired with smoked salmon croissants.

Continue to a farm-based cider house, sampling single-orchard ciders that showcase the terroir of the region’s apple varieties. Enjoy a farmhouse lunch paired with a cider flight, learning to distinguish subtle flavor notes from tannins to floral aromas. Visit the orchards to see trees in bloom or heavy with fruit, depending on the season.

Return to Devonport and dine at a gastropub that features barrel-aged ales alongside modern Tasmanian cuisine. Order a tasting paddle of craft beers and ciders, complemented by wood-fired oysters and confit pork belly. Cap off the night with a guided cocktail making session using local spirits at the hotel bar.

Climb aboard a private fishing charter from Devonport Marina, led by an experienced skipper who knows the best spots for tailor and gummy sharks. Learn to bait a hook, cast your line and pull in the day’s fresh catch while seagulls circle overhead. Enjoy morning tea on deck served with hot coffee and freshly baked pastries.

Have your catch of the morning cleaned and filleted for a beachside barbecue lunch at a secluded cove, grilling fillets over open coals with lemon myrtle seasoning. Spend the afternoon snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, spotting schools of colorful fish and intricate seagrass meadows. Relax on the sandy shoreline, soaking up the sun and the sound of gentle waves.

As twilight approaches, shift into a sunset cruise along the rugged coastline, watching the sky ignite into fiery hues. Sip on sparkling local wine and nibble on gourmet canapés while the boat glides past sea cliffs and hidden bays. Return under a sky of stars, the lapping water creating a soothing soundtrack for your journey back.

Begin your final day at the Sunday market near the waterfront, sampling fresh berries, cheeses and pastries from local producers. Chat with stallholders about their artisan crafts, from hand-thrown pottery to woven woolen scarves dyed with native plants. Pick up a few last-minute souvenirs to commemorate your trip.

Pack a gourmet picnic from market finds and head to Latrobe for a scenic picnic overlooking the Leven River estuary. Stroll along the two-lane bridge and visit the Taste Latrobe tourist centre to learn about local specialties like Devonshire teas and honey. Enjoy relaxed riverside atmosphere as kayaks drift by and paddle steamers chug across the water.

Return to Devonport for a farewell dinner at an upscale waterfront restaurant, indulging in a tasting menu featuring the best of Tasmanian produce and wine pairings. Take one last walk along the Mersey Esplanade under the lamplit path, breathing in the salt-kissed air. Say goodbye to the sea, harboring memories of ten immersive days in coastal Tasmania.