Devonport, Latrobe, Sheffield, Promised Land, Mole Creek
If travelling to Tasmania by sea, chances are your first port of call will be Devonport. Apart from the Devil Cat ferry which runs between George Town and Melbourne in the warmer months (see adjacent section), the only other vessel operating between the island and the mainland is the much larger Spirit of Tasmania. Resembling more of a cruise liner than a ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania leaves Melbourne for Devonport's Mersey River terminal on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and vice versa on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. (For additional information see Getting Here on the Tasmanian Homepage)
On Arriving in Devonport, many travellers get put off by the city's industrial facade, leaving immediately for other parts of the island. Don't make the same mistake, as Devonport not only makes an excellent base for exploring the picturesque north-west stretches of Tasmania (there are some superb wilderness tour companies based here), but also hosts a number of attractions worthy of a visit in their own right. Known as Tiagarra (the Aboriginal word for "keep"), the Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture and Art Centre is one such attraction, overlooking the city from the prominent Mersey Bluff headland. Tiagarra features a one kilometre circuit walk to over 250 rare Aboriginal rock engravings, as well as various displays of local artefacts and exhibits explaining traditional lifestyles. While on the headland, the impressive views across the town, river and coast make for an excellent photo opportunity, as does the Bluff's historic white and red striped lighthouse.
Closer to the city centre, the recently expanded Tasmanian Maritime and Folk Museum is a must for history buffs, showcasing a vast collection of local memorabilia as well as numerous model ships. Sweet tooths should get a kick out of the Anvers Confectionery Tasting Centre, while Art lovers will prefer the Devonport Gallery and Arts Centre, housed in a lovely old church on Stewart Street. On the outskirts of Devonport, highlights include the Forest Glen Tea Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, as well as scenic rides aboard the Don River Railway and Museum's various vintage trains.
Following the Mersey River less than ten kilometres inland from Devonport is the historic township of Latrobe. Latrobe was once a bustling shipyard town, though these days it only gets busy on Sundays for its markets, and during December when it hosts one of Australia's biggest cycling events. The town's enclave of classic 1840's buildings and shop fronts (some National Trust classified) are worth exploring any time of year.
27 kilometres south of Latrobe, the little farming community of Sheffield boasts some of the most picturesque surroundings in the state. Besides being encircled by the lush, English looking agricultural district known as the Kentish Plains, the town is set on the foothills of the majestic Mount Roland, a peak which changes hue as the day progresses. Sheffield itself is just as visually appealing, as local scenery and history have become the subject of over 35 colourful murals, painted on various public walls throughout the town.
On the outskirts of Sheffield near the national rowing centre of Lake Barrington and the proudly named rural village of Promised Land, the Tasmazia tourist centre makes for an interesting detour, claiming to have the largest maze in the world. The area's numerous waterways are is also a fishermans delight, renowned for their healthy stocks of brown and rainbow trout.
Directly south of Sheffield, Mole Creek is a small town serving the surrounding dairy and forestry district. Mole Creek also supports an industry unique to the township, that of the world's only leatherwood honey factory. This distinctive, aromatic honey is made by bees gathering pollen from the leatherwood tree, a species found solely in the rainforests of western Tasmania. Stephens' Tasmanian Honey Factory on Pioneer Drive allows visitors to view the honey-making process from extraction to finished product, and of course tastings and sales are available. Mole Creek's other major attraction lies on the outskirts of town within Mole Creek Karst National Park. The park protects one of Tasmania's most amazing limestone cave systems, two of which are open to the public for guided tours. King Solomons Cave is is the smaller of the two caves, famous for its glittering calcite crystals and strikingly coloured stalagmites and stalactites. It's larger neighbour Marakoopa Cave, features lucid subterranean pools and streams, as well as an extraordinary glow-worm display. Those that wish to take the caving experience to the next level should contact Wild Cave Tours (see Tours & Trips under Things To Do).
On the opposite side of Mole Creek to the caves, the privately owned Trowunna Wildlife Park is one of the best in the state, featuring a menagerie of Australian fauna in their natural surroundings. The parks most popular drawcards are its koalas, kangaroos and feisty Tasmanian devils.
The Tasmanian Trail
The Tasmanian Trail is a 477 kilometre track which winds its way from Devonport in the north, all the to Dover in the south. Accessible to bushwalkers, horseriders, and mountain bikers, the trail passes through a variety of landscapes including highland plateaus, farmlands, and spectacular wild forrests, making it one of the most exciting ways to experience what Tasmania has to offer.
