On the northwest coast of Tasmania, Devonport is a beautiful city that serves as the gateway to the region’s natural wonders.
While Devonport itself boasts a unique blend of maritime history and contemporary charm, the surrounding region offers a plethora of day trip options for eager adventurers. From breathtaking landscapes to historical sites, here are some of the best day trips from Devonport.
Discover ancient rainforests in Cradle Mountain National Park
Just 1.5 hours southeast of Devonport lies the iconic Cradle Mountain National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Cradle Mountain is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and hikers. The park is brimming with ancient rainforests, glacial lakes and rugged peaks that provide a dramatic backdrop for your day of exploration.
Tackle the renowned Dove Lake Circuit, a 6-kilometre trek that starts at the Dove Lake Viewing Shelter with views across a glacially carved lake directly beneath Cradle Mountain. Or, attempt to reach the summit of Tasmania’s fifth-highest peak on a 12.8km track that involves climbing over boulders.
Make sure to also visit Devils @ Cradle, a renowned conservation facility for Tasmanian devils. Wander the park with general entry, or sign up for a Day Keeper Tour where you’ll go behind-the-scenes with a keeper as you learn about the importance of conservation programs. The After Dark Feeding Tour is a crowd favourite, giving visitors the chance to see Tassie Devils and quolls in group feeding situations once the sun has set. You can even sign up for a Day Feeding Tour or Joey Encounter, and feel good knowing your addmission fees go directly towards coservation programs.
Enjoy wine and wellness in the Tamar Valley
Wine connoisseurs and foodies will delight in the Tamar Valley, just an hour’s drive east of Devonport. Renowned as one of Tasmania’s premier wine regions, the Tamar Valley boasts picturesque vineyards that produce exquisite cool-climate wines.
Take a leisurely drive along the Tamar Valley Wine Route, encompassing over 30 vineyards and wineries, and stop at cellar doors to savour the region’s award-winning drops. At Janz Tasmania, you can enjoy a guided tasting overlooking the vineyard, or sign up for a gourmet picnic amongst the vines with a bottle of sparkling wine to savour over lunch. The family-owned vineyard uses the traditional Méthode Champenoise for all its vintage wines, and was the first winery to coin the unique term Méthode Tasmanoise (a term used for sparkling wines made in Tasmania using traditional techniques).
Swinging Gate Vineyard is another must-visit. The boutique single-vineyard winery hand-picks, crushes and ferments the fruit with minimal intervention, resulting in a range of experimental and delicious wines. The rustic cellar door hosts daily tastings, as well as seasonal dinners in partnership with local chefs.
If you’re hoping to stay a bit longer, Swinging Gate also hosts Domescapes Tasmania. Settle into a bespoke geodesic dome complete with an ensuite, panoramic windows, and a private outdoor bathtub. Then, at night, roast marshmallows on the fire or enjoy a selection of Tasmanian wines and cheeses.
Stanley is a history lover’s paradise
Venture northwest from Devonport, and you’ll discover the charming seaside town of Stanley just 1.5 hours away. Known for its well-preserved colonial buildings and rich maritime history, Stanley is a quaint, peaceful town perfect for history lovers.
Stanley is also home to The Nut, a sheer-sided, flat-topped volcanic plug towering 143 meters above sea level. You can either climb to the summit (which takes about 20 minutes) or ride the chairlift to the peak for panoramic views of the town and the surrounding rugged coastline.
For a window into the past, try the self-guided Stanley Heritage Walk. Accessible on your phone, the walk showases 15 iconic sites, including Joe Lyon’s Cottage, the birthplace and childhood home of Tasmania’s first Prime Minister of Australia. History buffs will also love Highfield Historic Site, a Regency-era property built by the chief agent of the Van Diemen’s Land Company. Today, it stands as a beautiful example of colonial architecture, and visitors can also access the convict barracks, barns, stables, chapel and ornamental garden.
Change your perspective at Leven Canyon
Nature lovers seeking a thrilling adventure should head 45 minutes south from Devonport to Leven Canyon, an awe-inspiring natural wonder. The canyon features a 275-metre cliff face that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and the winding Leven River below.
There are several walking tracks to choose from on your visit, including the well-maintained Leven Canyon Lookout walk. Spanning 1.2 kilometres, the circuit takes you up the 697 steps on the Forest Stairs Track, past giant ferns and colourful lichens, to the stunning lookout waiting at the end.
More experienced hikers should tackle the Canyon Floor Walk, which leads you to the bottom of the deepest limestone ravine in Tasmania. While other tourists are looking down, you can look right back up as you take in the canyon from a whole new perspective. Make sure to keep an eye out for pygmy possums, longtailed mice and dusky antechinus along the way.
Find your muse in Sheffield
A short 30-minute drive southeast of Devonport, Sheffield is a small town with a big artistic heart. Known as the “Town of Murals,” Sheffield’s streets and buildings are adorned with over 160 vibrant murals depicting the region’s history, culture and natural beauty.
Each year, the town hosts the week-long International Mural Fest in Mural Park, a purpose-built outdoor gallery in the heart of town. Nine artists are selected annually to paint their mural in full public view over the week, responding to a central theme and inspiration. Visitors can also enjoy workshops, demonstrations and other activities that celebrate the creativity of Sheffield’s residents. If you miss the festival, don’t worry! Mural Park is open year-round and entry is free, so you can always admire the work.
The Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre is run by passionate volunteers who restored an old 60cm gauge steam locomotive and now offer public rides on selected days. The railway offers fascinating insight into the machinery that developed the region, including steam-powered rock crushers and traction engines. The Centre also hosts SteamFest each March, one of the biggest steam and heritage machinery events in Australia and the largest exhibition of working machinery in the country.
Explore quaint and quirky Penguin
For a delightful dose of coastal charm, drive 30 minutes to the town of Penguin. True to its name, Penguin is indeed home to a little penguin rookery, where you can see the penguins returning from the sea each night. This seaside gem is also known for its adorable penguin-themed public art installations, including the iconic Big Penguin – a 3-metre high statue that stands proudly overlooking the beach.
To learn about the history of town, the self-guided Penguin Heritage Walk covers 26 important sites, with QR codes scattered around the town centre for audio guides narrated by locals. Standout attractions include the Dutch windmill donated by descendants of Dutch immigrants living in town, and the heritage cemetery where you can learn about important residents and their impact on the community.
On Sundays, the Penguin Undercover Markets boasts more than 50 stalls selling artisan wares, food, jewellery and more. Adventureous spirits should head to the Penguin Mountain Bike Park for over six kilometres of cross-country single trails, jumps and wall rides.
Enjoyed reading about these day trips from Devonport? For more to explore in Tassie’s gorgeous northwest, including road trips, food and drink, and more click here.
Travel to Devonport
Rex flies to Devonport. Book your flights here and check out the route map below.
