DEVONPORT & CRADLE COUNTRY

Gateway to Cradle Mountain

If you are arriving by the Spirit of Tasmania or the airport at Devonport, you are in the Cradle Country region where all roads lead to Cradle Mountain, one of Tasmania's prime attractions.

The whole district is filled with towns and cities which offer you a wide variety of attractions.
At Latrobe you can visit the Australian Axemens Hall of Fame, at Penguin you can see the Big Penguin, on the foreshore and the beautiful floral gardens which line the drive in along the coast from Ulverstone. At Sheffield you can see over 40 colouful murals around the town.
The small town of Wilmot boasts the original 'Coles Store' now a general store. Coles is one of Australia's largest retail companies with hundreds of stores Australia wide. Here you can see its humble beginnings.

A short drive west of Devonport is the bustling town of Ulverstone. The main street is dominated by a memorial clock and the town is renowned for its casual atmosphere, friendly people and historic museum. Well worth a visit.
South of the road between Devonport and Ulverstone is the pretty village of Forth. The hotel here, situated beside the Forth River is one of my favourite places to stop for a meal and some socialing with the locals.

Just south west of Devonport, on the road to Sheffield is Lake Barrington. One of Australia's best known rowing courses and, as you approach Sheffield you will see spectacular Mt Roland, an introduction to the beautiful mountain ranges of the Western Tiers and Central Highlands.

To the east of Devonport are the seaside towns of Port Sorell, Shearwater and Hawley Beach. rapidly becoming a busy residential area, you can still enjoy the quiet waters of the port and a short trip east will take you to Narawntapu National Park on the eastern shore.

Tiny hamlets of sometimes little more that a couple of houses abound and, depending on the time of year you visit you will see fields filled with potatos, poppies and vegetables of most kinds. The green, rolling fields are a delight to see all year and the stark ranges provide an inviting backdrop.

The region has rivers, national parks, stark mountain scenery and a long history.