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General Information
A city on the north west coast, Devonport is situated on the Mersey River
99 Km from Launceston via the Bass Highway. Known as "The Gateway to Tasmania",
it is the terminal for the "Spirit of Tasmania" vehicle and passenger ferry link with Victoria.
Devonport was created in 1890 by the merging two towns - Formby on the
west bank and Torquay on the east bank of the Mersey River.
The area was first settled in
the 1840s; and in 1843 an eager farmer planted 6 blackberry cuttings he
had imported from England - a deed long since regretted by farmers and gardeners alike.
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History
Historic buildings in the Devonport area range from workers cottages
to the stately , former residence of Australia's only Tasmanian Prime
Minister, Joseph Lyons. Home Hill (shown at left) is classified by the National Trust.
Devonport's maritime history is celebrated at the Maritime Museum, which
features a large collection of model ships. Devonport's seafaring connection
continues today through the Spirit of Tasmania, the only passenger
ferry operating across Bass Strait.
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Don River Railway
The Don River Railway and Museum has the largest collection of vintage
steam locomotives and carriages in the state. A must for train enthusiasts,
the railway offers 30 min scenic rides to Coles Beach daily. The town
of Don can be reached either by car or via a 12 km walking track.
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