Devonport, Tasmania

We made it to Tasmania! This feels like the culmination of our journey although I know we are only half way through our trip around Eastern Australia.  We have travelled to Tasmania three times previously and this time we are hoping to fill in all the gaps. Already I am thinking that six weeks here will not be enough.....

It was well after 10pm before we arrived at our Devonport caravan park last night.  The ship was late to leave and late to arrive but the 10 hour day trip on board the Spirit went amazingly fast.  I had reserved recliner lounges for us and because we booked so far in advance, the recliners were front row with views across the ocean as far as the eye could see.  We read, played games, ate, walked around, went to a talk in the cinema (about Tasmania and what to expect), ate some more, and then dozed for the journey.  Our return is on a night sailing that will be a whole different experience so we lapped up the day trip.

Today, we walked a lot.  Yesterday we were sedentary so it felt so good.  Our caravan park is on the east side of Devonport so we crossed the bridge to the west side to begin a scenic drive and walk.  Devonport, like so many other towns on our journey, has geared up for tourism.  We are continually amazed at how many pathways there are in each town we visit and every attraction has ample parking for not only cars but also motorhomes and caravans.  Our first stop was the Viewing Platform & Spirit of the Sea statue that represents the power and fascination of the sea.  It is very Neptunesque in its appearance.

Further along the scenic drive and we arrive at the Lighthouse lookout at Mersey Bluff.  This is a very rugged coastline but we see fisherman who have made their way out on the rocks to cast a line.  It looks very hazardous to us for fishing.....

The last stop on the scenic drive is Coles Beach that is probably a misnomer as to me, a beach means sand.  No sand here.

We drive back the way we came and found a spot to park in Devonport CBD that is very easy on a Sunday morning.  It is a lovely town centre and I am pleased to see a mall! I love them.  Malls were such a big thing years ago but have now, for the most part, been re-opened to traffic. There are quite a few heritage buildings in the CBD, many dating back to the early 1900's, and lovely park areas.  We find another viewing platform for the Spirit of Tasmania that will be sailing again tonight.

This afternoon after a little nap we continued our walking tour of Devonport along the heritage trail that actually took us right back to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal.  It was only supposed to be a 2km walk but we managed to turn it into 5k!  We start off with a purpose but seem to get waylaid.  It was a lovely walk that took us along the waterfront although the wind had picked up this afternoon so it was a little breezy.  

 

Tomorrow we head to Smithton that is the furtherest township that we can go to in North West Tasmania.  We have quite a bit planned for this area so stay tuned!