The Port City of Devonport, sitting prettily on Tasmania`s lush mid-north coast, is one of the world`s newest regional cruise destinations and is acknowledged as the gateway to Cradle Mountain National Park and the World Heritage areas in the north of the State.
The entire region is arguably one of Tasmania`s most beautiful.
Its coastal countryside is reminiscent of the green rolling hills of old England dotted with little villages and spring blossoms. And where this countryside meets the mountains, the wilderness begins.
The entrance to Cradle Mountain National Park is just an hour and half`s drive from the wharfside and the city centre; a popular day tour for most cruise ship passengers.
Here, among the wild rivers and temperate rainforests, the traveller can see threatened, rare and endemic plants and often catch a glimpse of Tasmania`s unique animal species.
The city of Devonport itself, straddling the River Mersey, is a busy port and the retail and commercial centre of the region.
As well as shops and boutiques selling local wares, there are galleries and craft centres featuring the work of local artists.
For each cruise ship visit, the people of the city extend a festive welcome with entertainment and activities.
Free shuttle buses leave from the port throughout the day to take passengers around town and into the main shopping areas.
Visitors may access information about the region from the information booth at the wharfside or from the Showcase Information Centre and Gallery in the city centre opposite the river.
Gallery Images
Tabs
Activities
Sightseeing Opportunities (Half Day)
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Discover Devonport:
Visit some of Devonport's historic sites : Maritime Museum, Tiagarra, Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural and Arts Centre to see rock engravings thousands of years old, the Don River Vintage Railway and Museum, Tasmanian Arboretum, a 45 hectare tree park for morning or afternoon tea. - Mole Creek Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary:
See Tasmanian Devils and other native animals, have a bush morning or afternoon tea. 45 minutes drive from Devonport.
- Latrobe:
An historical village on Devonportﾒs eastern shore. Latrobe has antique shops and quaint 19th century buildings and stores. Take a journey across superb farming country to Port Sorell and Hawley Beach. Visit Gallerie Chantilly for local cheese and wine tastings and to see works by Tasmanian artists.
- A Taste of the Past:
Travel south to the base of Mt. Roland in the Great Western Tiers to Weindorfers complex. See many old bush crafts, broom making and a blacksmith working his trade. Morning or afternoon tea and a short guided walk through the canyon. Forty minutes from Devonport.
- Scenic Wilderness Flights:
Located at Devonport Airport, passengers will be picked up and returned to the shop at wharfside or in town. Planes carry four passengers all with window view and in a 6 hour period can carry about 20 : 24 passengers. Flights over stunning wilderness areas take 45 minutes.
Sightseeing Opportunities (Full Day)
- Cradle Mountain National Park & Dove Lake:
Includes visits to the superb visitor centre in the forest, Waldheim Chalet, replica of the first Chalet built in 1912. Lunch at P & O Resort Cradle Mountain Lodge. About one and a half hours from Devonport.
- Launceston:
Take the superb coastal road through the Asbestos Range to Exeter, the vineyards and wineries of the western Tamar Valley, shopping and lunch in Launceston and return via Highway 1 through some of the prettiest countryside in the State. About one and a half hours from Devonport to Launceston.
Dining (Best Restaurants for Lunch and Dinner)
- Autographs at the Beach
- Gateway Motor Inn
- Glo Glo's Fine Dining, Latrobe
- Lucas Hotel Fine Dining
- Mallee Grill: Char grill
- Renusha's Indian Restaurant
- Rialto: Italian/Mediterranean
- Shearwater Country Club
- Silky Apple: Chinese
- Trawlers Catch: Seafood
Evening Entertainment
- Yes, check at wharfside
Best Hotels
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Gateway Motor Inn
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Hawley House
Best Beaches
- Hawley
- Coles Beach
Golf
- 'Woodrising' Golf Club Devonport
Tennis
- Devonport Tennis Club
Other Sporting Activities
- Horseriding
- Bush walking
- Surfing
- Snorkelling
- Cycling
Best Shopping areas
- Devonport CBD : 1km from the port
- Fourways Centre : 4km from the port
Specialty products
- Gourmet foods
- Fine wines
- Cheese
- Tasmanian craft
- Ceramics
- Wood products
Customs
Working hours |
|
| Customs Officers | 24 hours |
| Quarantine Officials | 24 hours |
| Immigration Officials | As for Customs |
Customs and Immigration |
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| Passenger Manifest | Three copies at the first port of call with one copy to Immigration with the passengers card one copy to Customs and the third copy to remain on board the ship. |
| Embarking Passenger Manifest | 3 copies - 1 to Customs 1 to Port 1 stays |
| Crew Manifest | 2 - 1 at first port to Immigration 2nd stays. |
| Stores List | 2 (Aust. Customs Service and Sydney Ports Corporation |
| Customs Declaration (Ship) | 1 (Australian Customs Service) |
| Customs Declaration (Crew) | 2 (Australian Customs Service) |
| Forms Comments | All forms listed above are produced at the first Australian port of call and then one copy of each form travels on board the ship to be produced at subsequent ports. |
| Customs Declaration (Passengers) | One at first Australian port of call only. |
Port health |
|
| Health Declaration | One (pratique) at first Australian port of call only |
Ground Operations
The following Ground Handlers are CDU members and supply superior ground handling services throughout Australia.
Ground Operations Links
Port Approach
Approach |
|
| Arrival Departure Restrictions | Yes |
| Tidal Variation | 3 metres (springs) 2-2.5 metres (neaps) |
| Prevailing Currents | 1-2 knots |
| Prevailing Winds | |
| Length of Channel | 2000 metres |
| Depth of Channel | 9.5 metres |
| Comments | Subject to draught |
Depth and breadth of turning basin |
|
| Location of Turning Basin | N/A |
| Diameter | 300 metres |
| Depth | 9.5 metres |
| Other points | Swing on arrival or departure. Flood tide or slack water only. |
Pilotage |
|
| Pilotage Name | Tasmanian Ports Corporation - Devonport VTS |
| Pilotage Address | PO Box 478 Devonport TAS 7310 |
| Pilotage Phone No | + 61 3 6380 3013 |
| Pilotage Fax No | + 61 3 6380 3075 |
| Is Pilotage Compulsory | Yes |
| Position of Pilot Pickup | 2.0 NNE of Mersey Bluff Lighthouse |
| Distance from Berth | 3.0 nautical miles |
| Pilot VHF Channel | 14 & 16 |
| Description of Pilot Boat | 13 metre |
| Pilot Hours | 24 hours |
| Pilotage Fees | As per Tasports' Schedule of Port Charges: www.tasports.com.au |
Port Services
Shipping agents |
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| The following CDU members offer superior service throughout the region. | |
Port Operations/Services |
|
| Barwil Agencies Oceania | |
| Address | 9/189 Kent Street |
| Sydney NSW 2000 | |
| Telephone | +61 2 9439 7223 |
| 24 hour contact | +61 416 189 760 |
| Fax | +61 2 9439 8587 |
| Website | www.barwil.com |
| sydney@barwil.com.au | |
| Services | Contact: Greg Coopman. |
| For details of services see the Barwil entry under Members and Contacts- then scroll down to Shipping Agents. | |
| Beaufort Shipping Agency Company | |
| Address | Level 8, 120 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 |
| GPO Box 3988 Sydney NSW 2001 | |
| Telephone | 61 2 9364 8960 |
| 24 hour contact | +61 411 123 013 |
| Fax | +61 2 9364 8999 |
| Website | N/A |
| operations@beaufortshipping.com | |
| Services | Contact Ian McAllister |
| For details of services see the Beaufort entry under Members and Contacts- then scroll down to Shipping Agents. | |
| Information on other Shipping Agents can be obtained from the Port Authority (see Port Operator). | |
Towage |
|
| Are tugs available | Yes |
| Are tugs compulsory | No |
| Tug operator`s name | Tasports Towage |
| Tug operator`s fax | + 61 (03) 6222 6122 |
| Ship or tug lines | Either |
| Tug working hours | 0730 to 1630 Overtime available |
Linesman |
|
| Contact Qube Ports | |
Port officials |
|
| Working hours | 0730 to 1630 |
| Overtime | Yes |
Stevedoring |
|
| Stevedoring Name | For details of suitable stevedores, please contact the Shipping Agent |
Provedoring |
|
| For details of several quality, competitively priced provedores please contact the Shipping Agent. | |
Telephones |
|
| Telephones | Yes |
| How many | As required |
| Notice required | Yes |
Bunkering |
|
| Fuel Grades | Diesel |
| Quay or barge | Ex quay by 20T roadtankers only |
| Suppliers | Shell Caltex |
Water |
|
| Fresh Water | Yes |
| Exquay or barge | Yes - ex quay |
| No of hoses | Maximum 4 per ship |
| Capacity per hose/hour | 30 tonnes per hour |
| Tonnes per hour guaranteed | 30 |
| Type of connect | Male / Female |
| Connect size in inches | 4 |
Dry garbage |
|
| Dry garbage | Yes |
| Barge alongside | Yes |
| Containers available | Yes |
| Size of containers | 44 gallons |
| Number available | As required |
| Incineration or dump | As required |
| Facilities to transport | Pump out road truck by arrangement |
Wet garbage |
|
| Wet garbage | Yes |
| Ship or shore pump | Shore |
| Sludge disposal | Yes |
| Sludge details | Road Truck |
Charges |
|
| Port Charges as per Tasports' Schedule of Charges: | www.tasports.com.au |
Repair facilities |
|
| Nearest dry dock | Sydney - Australian Defence Industries - Garden Island. |
| Length | 347 metres beam 40 metres |
| Maximum Tonnage | 100000 tonnes deadweight (according to vessel design) |
| Divers Available | Yes - Divers also mechanical & carpentry facilities |
| Engineering facilities | Yes - Including electrical instrument facilities |
Dredging |
|
| Dredging undertaken | Yes |
| Dredging when | Three/four yearly cycles. Regular Soundings. |
Port Operator
Port operator |
|
| Name | Tasmanian Ports Corporation |
| Address | PO Box 478 |
| DEVONPORT TAS 7310 | |
| Telephone | 1300 366 742 |
| Facsimile | + 61 (3) 6222 6122 |
| Web Site | www.tasports.com.au |
| Email Address | secretary@tasports.com.au |
Berth details |
|
| Berth | No. 4 West |
| Maximum draft | 9m |
| Tidal variation | 3 metres - Spring, 2 - 2.5 metres (neap) |
| Berth length | 198 metres |
| Guaranteed berthing for cruise ships | On application |
| Are other ships able to dock | No |
| Cargo ships at dock | Yes |
| Security fences | Yes |
Nearest ports |
|
| Australia | Melbourne |
| Nearest Overseas Port | Auckland |
Terminal
Terminal facilities |
|
| Terminal Building | No |
| Meet and Greet Facilities | Yes |
| Toilet Facilities | No |
| Telephones | n/a |
| Availability of Maps and/or Brochures | n/a |
| Souvenir Shopping | In town |
| Money Exchange | In town |
| Is the US Dollar Accepted? | n/a |
Transport |
|
| Closest Airport to Pier | Devonport Airport |
| Distance to Airport | 8 km |
| Transport to Airport | Yes |
| Can Passengers Walk to Town | No |
| Drive Time from Pier to Shuttle Stop | 5 mins |
| Distance from Pier to Town Centre | 1 km |
| Are Shuttle Buses Necessary | Yes |
| Suggested Shuttle Stop in Town | Visitor Information Centre, City Centre |
| Availability of Taxis at Pier | No |
| Availability of Public Transport at Pier | No |
| Other Forms of Transport at Pier | n/a |
Tour buses |
|
| Distance from Ship to Tour Buses | At wharf |
| What is the Normal Coach Capacity | Varies |
| Are Tour Buses Air Conditioned | Yes |
| Are Refreshments Provided on Buses | Yes |
| Are Cold Towels Provided on Buses | Yes |
| Are Step Stools Provided on Buses | Yes |
Tourism
Tourism operators in Tasmania:
Tourism operators