Devonport is a small port city on Tasmania's north coast, best known as the terminus of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne. Most visitors pass straight through on their way to Cradle Mountain or the northwest coast, but the town deserves a few hours of its own.
The Mersey Bluff, a headland at the mouth of the Mersey River, has walking trails with views across Bass Strait and a collection of Aboriginal rock carvings — some of the most accessible in Tasmania. The Bass Strait Maritime Centre on the waterfront covers the region's seafaring history. The town centre is quiet and compact, with a handful of decent cafes along Rooke Street.
Devonport is also the starting point for the drive to Cradle Mountain — about 80 kilometres south through rolling farmland and forest. If you are arriving on the overnight ferry, the morning light on the Mersey as you dock is a fine introduction to Tasmania.