Devonport, Tasmania
Devonport (/ˈdɛvənpɔːrt/ DEV-ən-port; pirinilaplu/palawa kani: limilinaturi) is a port city situated at the mouth of the Mersey River on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia. Positioned 47 kilometres (29 mi) east of Burnie and 98 kilometres (61 mi) north of Launceston, its harbour manages over half of Tasmania's imports and exports, standing as the busiest freight port on the island. Devonport also plays a pivotal role in Tasmania's trade sector, supporting industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The City of Devonport's gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $3.5b in 2023.
| Devonport limilinaturi (Northern Tasmanian) Tasmania | |||||||||
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From top; left to right: Devonport aerial, Rooke Street, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, Home Hill estate, Heritage Walk Track, MS Spirit of Tasmania I | |||||||||
Devonport | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 41°10′48″S 146°21′01″E | ||||||||
| Population | 26,150 (2021) | ||||||||
| Established | 1850 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 7310 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) | ||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) | ||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Devonport | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Braddon | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Braddon | ||||||||
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Designated a city by Prince Charles of Wales on 21 April 1981, Devonport holds the status of Tasmania's third-largest city, with an urban population of 26,150 at the 2021 Australian census.
The city is home to the Spirit of Tasmania's passenger terminal, facilitating roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry operations connecting mainland Australia and Tasmania since July 1985. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the Port of Devonport welcomed over 450,000 passengers. The forthcoming completion of the $240m Quaylink project is poised to accommodate an additional 160,000 passengers annually.
Despite its relatively small size, Devonport has facilitated business for many pioneering industries that achieved notable success on a national scale. Circa 1901, the Finlayson family foundry, known for its innovation, engineered what is believed to be the first steam car in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, family members of shipping company Holyman & Sons played a pivotal role in establishing the first airline connecting Bass Strait in 1934 as Holyman Airway's Pty Ltd, which eventually evolved into Australian National Airways and subsequently merged with Ansett.
Devonport holds a significant place in Australian political history as the home town of both Joseph Lyons, the tenth Prime Minister of Australia, and his wife, Dame Enid Lyons. Dame Enid made history as the first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first woman to serve in the federal cabinet. Enid lived at the family residence, "Home Hill" until her death in 1981. Recognised for its historical significance, Home Hill has been registered with the National Trust of Australia and has become a popular tourist destination.