Tasmania’s northern gateway town blends windswept Bass Strait beauty with farmgate flavours, coastal charm and a cool creative spirit. Here are the best things to do in Devonport.
Surrounded by paddocks atop rich volcanic soils and flanked by the Bass Strait, the industrious port town of Devonport – also home to Tasmania/Lutruwita’s only prime minister, Joseph Lyons – is the main sea gateway for travellers arriving to the island on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from the mainland.
Technicolour roses bloom tall in front yards of Art Deco homes and locals enjoy frequent sightings of little penguins, who reside in rookeries along the Cradle Coast.
“It’s unlike anywhere else in the world, really," says Alicia Peardon, co-owner of Ghost Rock Wines and co-founder of Devonport’s Tasting Trail, which connects culinary and farmgate experiences across the north-west. Explore this gem of a town with our pick of the best things to do in Devonport.
1. Ghost Rock Wines & Eatery
View of vineyard from Ghost Rock Dining Room. (Credit: Dearna Bond Photography)
The team at the family-owned Ghost Rock Wines & Eatery know their wine – and they’ll happily share 14-odd varietals with you at the cellar door – but leave space for thin slices of heirloom tomatoes dressed with citrus oil and agrodulce, plates of grilled Stanley octopus curls and crackling-topped miso-glazed Scottsdale pork at lunch – all artfully explained by passionate wait staff while you overlook the vines and glittering coast.
2. From Sky to Sea
The creation of From Sky to Sea celebrates the local area on an immersive stage.
Settle in at dusk at the riverside Waterfront Park amphitheatre for 14 minutes of high-octane storytelling as this immersive nightly light installation comes to life. From Sky to Sea covers the region’s Indigenous Creation story, oceanic influences and surrounding forestry, with help from Mandylights (the team behind Vivid Sydney), local Palawa man David Gough’s voiceover and the sonic splendour of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
3. Tasting Trail
Visit a truffle farm as part of the trail. (Credit: Ness Vanderburgh)
Pick up a map for this 40-plus-producer Tasting Trail of growers, makers and at the visitor centre, then follow it between farmgates, rural gems and local favourites. “Sometimes they’re so tucked away, or they’re small mum-and-dad producers, you don’t really know they’re there," co-founder Alicia Peardon says. “It’s helping take people off the beaten track." The trail can be explored year-round, with seasonal produce and farmgate tastings along the way. Or in April, when TrailGraze festival adds a weekend of special events, from vineyard talks and truffle-farm experiences to hazelnut harvesting and coffee-roasting classes.
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4. Mrs Jones
The eatery peers over the swelling waves of Bass Strait.
Mrs Jones serves up
top-notch oysters. (Credit: Tourism Tasmania/S.Group)
A decadent dining spot for surfers and foodies alike.
This eatery shares perhaps the most commanding spot on Bluff Beach with the local surf life-saving club and angular two-storey pavilion clad in hearty aluminium to withstand the salt spray. On one side sits Mrs Jones, where your attention to the surf may be briefly interrupted by the vanilla-cured ocean trout topped with zesty yuzu curd or the butter-soft duck legs in lychee-studded red curry.
5. Savu Saunas
Unwind and connect with other guests at Savu Saunas.
Opposite the caravan park on Mersey Bluff and decorated with a flora-centric mural by Tassie artist Jennifer Tyers, the unassuming Savu Saunas is community wellness at its finest and one of the top things to do in Devonport for those wanting to unwind. Book in for a 50-minute communal session in the accessibility-friendly container and BYO towel, then sink into relaxation on accoya timber seats as you overlook Bluff Beach. Final session is at 9pm and festoon lights twinkle to guide the way.
6. Devonport Antique Emporium
A wonderland for vintage collectors. (Credit: Riley Wilson)
There are wall-to-wall gems starring at this multi-storey treasure trove for the vintage-minded traveller. At Antique Emporium, wander hidden warrens stocked with forgotten kitchen utensils, heritage timber, antique sport pennants, glittering jewellery and toy cars, or scavenge for the perfect souvenir. Prices are reasonable and there’s parking out front.
7. Tasmanian Food and Wine Conservatory
The ‘General Store’ is a one stop shop showcasing the best of Tasmania.
Stocking exclusively Tasmanian produce, Tasmanian Food and Wine Conservatory is where you’ll find premium perishables and keepsakes. Scan the shelves for pickles and preserves, tinned smoked mussels, cheeses, local pottery or Waverley Mills blankets, then visit the counter – clad with ornate pressed tin – to pick up a toastie to go.
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8. Bass Strait Maritime Museum
This creatively curated museum brings maritime history to life. (Credit: Tourism Tasmania/Stu Gibson)
At this interactive museum dedicated to the state’s rich maritime heritage, built within and off the side of a former harbour master’s cottage, you can steer a virtual brig through the rough waters of the Bass Strait. Marvel at model ships, explore the ingenuity of First Peoples sailors and discover the origins of Tassie’s modern shipbuilding industry to discover why this is one of the best things to do in Devonport. Be sure to try your hand at a bowline before you leave.
9. Stay at The Cove
Sweeping vistas at The Cove. (Credit: S. Group)
View from the deck of the new Lilico Suites. (Credit: Helen Ward)
Basalt Restaurant
comes with a side of sea views. (Credit: Helen Ward)
Set on 140 hectares of farmland, The Cove Tasmania enjoys dramatic panoramic views over the northern coast in one direction and endless hillside on the other. In the Lillico Soak Suites, which opened in 2025, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the sunrise and an outdoor steel bath – crafted in New Zealand and set at a cosy 37.5°C – is where to watch it set. Don a red light for a penguin tour or devour dinner at onsite restaurant Basalt.
10. Fundamental Espresso
Fundamental Espresso serves the finest coffee and bagels. (Credit: Supplied)
This funky, minimalist cafe is humming from 6am, catering to the town’s tradespeople, creatives, run clubs and local families alike with punchy coffee pulled by the owners on a gleaming La Marzocco. The bagels are next level, stacked with – depending on the day – robust lox, gyro-style lamb, fresh local peaches or gochujang chicken.
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Riley Wilson is a journalist and editor based between Sydney, Tamworth and Tasmania. She grew up in Australia and the United States, with extensive travels throughout Europe and Asia along the way. A former newspaper editor, she currently contributes to publications in Australia and abroad, covering travel, food, agriculture, sustainability and architecture. When she's not playing with words or chasing adventures, she spends her time fishing, bushwalking and sipping hot cuppas in far-flung places.
Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.
The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.
The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.
Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.
Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.
Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.
Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.
Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.
Location
Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.
Style & decor
Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.
Wine experiences
The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.
Come for a taste, stay for an experience.
PIRIE & Oyster Experience
Taste the best of PIRIE matched with oysters. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.
As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.
Pinot Noir Blending Experience
Try your own hand at mixing. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.
Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.
Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.
Supreme Indulgence
Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.
Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.
