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Devonport Limilinaturi (Northern Tasmanian) | |
|---|---|
  _(cropped).jpg) .jpg)   From top; left to right: Devonport aerial, Rooke Street, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, Home Hill estate, Heritage Walk Track,Spirit of Tasmania I | |
  Devonport | |
| Coordinates:41°10′48″S146°21′01″E / 41.18000°S 146.35028°E /-41.18000; 146.35028 | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Tasmania |
| LGA | |
| Location |
|
| Established | 1850 |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 26,150 (2021)[2] (46th) |
| Time zone | UTC+10 (AEST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+11 (AEDT) |
| Postcode | 7310 |
| Mean max temp | 17.0 °C (62.6 °F)[3] |
| Mean min temp | 8.3 °C (46.9 °F)[3] |
| Annual rainfall | 773.0 mm (30.43 in)[3] |
Devonport (/ˈdɛvənpɔːrt/DEV-ən-port;[4]pirinilaplu/palawa kani:Limilinaturi)[5] is aport city situated at the mouth of theMersey River on thenorth-west coast ofTasmania, Australia. Positioned 47 kilometres (29 mi) east ofBurnie and 98 kilometres (61 mi) north ofLaunceston, it is the busiestfreight port on the island, managing over half Tasmania's imports and exports.[6]Devonport's supporting industries includeagriculture,manufacturing, andtourism. TheCity of Devonport'sgross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $3.5b in 2023.[6][7]
Devonport'sharbour is home to theSpirit of Tasmania'spassenger terminal, facilitatingroll-on/roll-off (RoRo)ferry operations connecting mainland Australia and Tasmania. In the 2022–23 fiscal year, the Port of Devonport welcomed over 450,000 passengers.[8]The completion of the $240m Quaylink project is expected to increase this capacity by an additional 160,000 passengers annually.[6][9]
Devonport was established in 1893 through the amalgamation of the 1850s settlements ofTorquay on the east bank andFormby on the west bank of the Mersey River. The township became a municipality in 1907[10] and was designated a city byPrince Charles on 21 April 1981.[11]With an urban population of 26,150 at the2021 Australian census,[2] Devonport is Tasmania's third-largest city, encompassing a total of 48,293 residents living within the greater statistical area.[12]
Despite its relatively small size, Devonport has been foundational for many innovative industries that grew to be nationally-significant, such as the Finlayson family foundry,[13] who engineered what is believed to be the firststeam car in theSouthern Hemisphere.[14][15][16]Similarly, family members ofshipping companyHolyman & Sons established the first airline connectingBass Strait in 1934 as Holyman Airways, which eventually evolved intoAustralian National Airways and subsequently merged withAnsett.[17][18][19]
Devonport also holds a place inAustralian political history as the home town of bothJoseph Lyons, the tenthPrime Minister of Australia, andDame Enid Lyons, the first woman elected to theHouse of Representatives and the first woman to serve in thefederal cabinet. Dame Enid lived at their residence, "Home Hill" until her death in 1981, which has since become a popular tourist destination and is registered with theNational Trust of Australia.[20]
The area now known as Devonport lies within the traditional country of several Palawa/Pakana (Tasmanian Aboriginal) groups associated with theNorth Nations. These included the punnilerpanner people of Panatana (Port Sorell), the Pallittorre of Lartitickitheker (Quamby Bluff), the Noeteeler of Ningherner or Parteenno (Hampshire Hills), and the Plairhekehillerplue of Emu Bluff.[21]
The Mersey Valley, including Panatana and the Devonport area, was an important gathering place, rich in resources such as birdlife, plant foods, and weaving materials.[22] Seasonal activities included the harvesting of swan and duck eggs along the Mersey River in early spring.[22]
British colonisation of northern Lutruwita (then known asVan Diemen's Land) began in the 1820s with the expansion of theVan Diemen's Land Company and the granting of large pastoral estates such as North Down placed pressure on indigenous populations through the disruption of river and valley corridors.[21] By the twentieth century, no known direct descendants of the original groups of this region survived.[21] Today, the broader Palawa/Pakana community continues to maintain cultural and custodial responsibilities for the entire island.[21]
Exploration of the Mersey River was undertaken in 1823, however initial observations by the British were unfavourable. Following the arrival of the Van Diemen's Land Company in 1826, the district underwent further exploration and surveying. Settlers commenced arriving later in the same year.[23] Indigenous resistance to settlement was evident, leading to the killing of Captain Bartholomew Boyle Thomas on 31 August 1831.[24]
The first European settlement in the Devonport region, predating 1850, was established on a block of land at Frogmore, near present-day Latrobe. It was a modest beginning that set the stage for future developments.[25]
In 1850, the arrival of a settler named Oldaker marked the establishment of present-day Devonport. Saw milling and coal mining gained momentum with the arrival of English settlers aboard the sailing shipBalmoral in 1854.[26]During the 1850s, twin settlements, Formby and Torquay, emerged on opposite banks at the mouth of the Mersey River.[27]Torquay, the larger of the two, thrived with various amenities, including police, post offices, magistrate services, hotels, shipyards, and stores. A river ferry service connected Formby and Torquay.[28]
Between 1870 and 1880, the shipping industry experienced growth, leading to efforts to deepen the mouth of the river.[25] This development facilitated the commencement of regular steamer services between the Mersey andMelbourne.[29]
In 1882, construction began on the Marine Board building, which remains a prominent landmark in the city. The completion of theMersey Bluff Lighthouse in 1889 further improved maritime safety along the north-west coast. At the turn of the century, the arrival of the railway brought major changes to the Formby area, combining railhead and port facilities that spurred a period of rapid growth and building activity.[30][31]
In 1890, a public vote unified the settlements of Torquay and Formby, officially creating the town ofDevonport. The opening of theVictoria Bridge in 1902 provided the first permanent land transport connection between Devonport and East Devonport, significantly strengthening trade and communication across theRiver Mersey.[32]
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Around this time, limestone deposits in the Melrose–Eugenana district became important to local industry. Quarries supplied material to theBroken Hill Proprietary Company smelters, and in 1916 the government reconstructed the old Don Railway to transport limestone from Melrose to the Devonport wharves, supporting regional industrial development.[33]
In 1924, the Victoria Bridge collapsed following damage caused byTeredo navalis. Although no injuries were reported, the bridge was subsequently rebuilt and reinforced.[34]
Goliath Cement, now known as Cement Australia, traces its origins back to the Tasmanian Cement Company in 1923.[35]Supercharged by abundant limestone deposits andRailton's proximity to shipping outlets, the company pioneered advancements such as the development of bulk cement transportation by sea and boasted the first fully automatic mill in Australia.[36]The Railton facility, significant for its role in supplying cement for iconic projects like theSydney Harbour Bridge,[37] also produced asbestos products from 1947 to 1986, resulting in the company addressing compensation settlements to 3,000 workers who were exposed to asbestos in 2010.[38]
The 1930s brought notable advancements in transportation and infrastructure with the introduction of the motor car and modern roadworks. Street sealing projects were undertaken, main roads were upgraded, and the movement of goods became increasingly efficient across northern Tasmania. Constructed byHansen Yuncken, theOvaltine factory opened in 1943 at Quoiba, south of Devonport, becoming the company’s second-largest manufacturing facility globally to meet demand acrossAustralasia andSoutheast Asia.[39][40]
The post-war decades also saw the arrival of other major manufacturing enterprises.Tootal Broadhurst Lee established a weaving mill at Devonport in 1949, later expanding production through the 1950s.[41][42] Known locally as “Tootals”, the factory was later operated by Australian Weaving Mills, producing textiles and towels for national distribution.[43] In East Devonport, Tascot Templeton Carpets became a major carpet manufacturer, employing more than 150 workers until its closure in 2010.[44][45]
In November 1952, the opening of the aerodrome at Pardoe marked a new era in regional air travel, with regular airline services linking Devonport to Victoria.[46][47] Destined for Melbourne, the first freight aircraft departed carrying a 11,600 lb (5,300 kg) load of Ovaltine.[47]
In 1955, Gordon Edgell & Sons purchased the formerHeinz cannery at Quoiba, establishing a significant food-processing plant that later became one of Tasmania’s largest processors of peas and other vegetables.[48] The factory continues to operate underSimplot Australia, producing frozen vegetables for theEdgell andBirds Eye brands and remaining one of the city’s largest employers.[49]
Theroll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal, named the SirRobert Cosgrove terminal, at East Devonport was officially opened on 26 September 1959 by the Premier of TasmaniaEric Reece.[50]In the same year, theAustralian National Line ferryPrincess of Tasmania entered service, establishing the first RoRo shipping link between Victoria and Tasmania across Bass Strait. Contemporary reporting described the service as converting the Bass Strait crossing into a “sea-road”, allowing motorists to remain with their vehicles for the duration of the voyage.[51][52][53]
On its first 230 nmi (430 km) commercial voyage on 2 October 1959, thePrincess of Tasmania carried 334 passengers. Accommodation included single, two and four-berth cabins for 178 passengers, with a further 156 passengers seated in three lounges fitted with reclining lounge chairs.[54] The vessel could transport up to 100 vehicles, including freight vehicles and a Royal Mail van, and was crewed by approximately 60 staff members, some of whom had transferred from theTaroona.[51]
ThePrincess of Tasmania operated on the Bass Strait route from 1959 until 1972 as part of the Australian National Line’s SeaRoad service, before its replacement by later vessels purpose-built for increased passenger and vehicle capacity.[50][55]
The post-war decades marked a period of rapid expansion for Devonport. New housing subdivisions spread west across the Don Valley, north along the heights of Coles Beach, and south on both sides of theMersey River. By the late 1960s, the municipality was among the fastest-growing urban centres in Tasmania.[56]
During this period, the development of theMersey–Forth Power Scheme transformed the economic landscape of Tasmania’s North West. Constructed between 1963 and 1973 by theHydro Electric Commission, the scheme comprises seven major dams and power stations supplied by the Mersey, Forth, Wilmot and Fisher Rivers.[57][58] The scheme supplied a stable source of hydro-electric power to Devonport and nearby municipalities, fuelling industrial growth and underpinning the expansion of energy-intensive manufacturing and food-processing operations across the region.[59]
In 1973, a newprestressed concrete bridge replaced the ageingVictoria Bridge, improving road access across the Mersey and connecting the city to theBass Highway.[60]
Devonport achieved city status on 21 April 1981, proclaimed byPrince Charles in a ceremony held on theDevonport Oval.[11]
From 1983-1984, theDevonport Warriors competed in theNational Basketball League (NBL). The Warriors were forced to exit the NBL after the league announced it would be culled to 14 teams by 1985. The club never experienced financial hardship, and although the Warriors only won four games in 1984, ten of its losses had been by ten points or less.[citation needed]
Opening in 2001, the Pandemonium Discovery & Adventure was the North West Coast's largest indoor entertainment venue. Featuring an indoor play area, rock climbing, laser skirmish, skate ramp, and diverse science-focused exhibits, the centre catered to all ages, promoting health through active participation and recreation. The Imaginarium Science Centre located within the complex provided visitors with dynamic hands-on exhibits, programs, and changing displays. From 2001 until its closure in 2009, it hosted compelling traveling exhibitions from renowned science centers, such as 'Body in Action' from Te Manawa and 'Dinosaur Eggs and Babies' fromOtago Museum and Gondwana Studios.[citation needed]
In 2014, after 160 years of continuous service, the cross-river ferry service was discontinued following the retirement of theTorquay ferry. However, it later resumed operations.[61][62]
The town received national attention on 16 December 2021, when ajumping castle and twozorbs were lifted into the air by a gust of a wind at Hillcrest primary school,killing six children and injuring three.[63][64]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | 9,100[67] | — |
| 1954 | 11,829[67] | +30.0% |
| 1986 | 24,417[68] | +106.4% |
| 1991 | 24,622[68] | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 21,528 | −12.6% |
| 2006 | 22,315 | +3.7% |
| 2011 | 22,770 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 23,044 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 26,150 | +13.5% |
| 2023 | 26,997[69] | +3.2% |
| Source:Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[65][66] | ||
In 2021, the population of Devonport was 26,150.[2]External population demographics estimate the resident population for Devonport at 26,977 in 2023, with apopulation density of 242.8 people persquare km across a land area of 111.1 km2 (42.9 sq mi).[70]Devonport City Council has set specific population growth goals for the city, aiming to achieve a population of 30,000 by 2030 and 35,000 by 2040.[71][72]
The median weekly household income is $1,167, compared to $1,746 nationally. 24.6% of households total weekly income is less than $650 week, while 10.4% of households weekly income exceeds $3,000. This compares to national rates of 16.5% and 24.3% respectively.[2]
34.3% of households renting, and 8.1% of owned households with a mortgage experiencehousing stress, where rent or mortgage repayments payments exceed 30% of total income.[2]
Devonport is home to a sizableFirst Nations population, with 1,971 residents, comprising 7.5% of the population, identifying asIndigenous Australians. This percentage surpasses the national average of 3.8% of the total Australian population.[73] 83.6% of residents were born in Australia. 2.9% were born in England, 0.8% in India and New Zealand and 0.6% in each Nepal, Philippines and Mainland China.[74]
89.9% of people spoke only English at home. 6.3% of households use a non-English language, including Mandarin (0.8%), Nepali (0.7%), Punjabi (0.4%) and Vietnamese and Tongan (0.3%).[2]
In the 2021 census, 51.1% of people in Devonport professed no religion. 38.7% specified a Christian religious affiliation (including 12.4% as Anglicanism, 11.6% Catholic and 3.5% Uniting Church). Other religious affiliations include Hinduism (1.1%), Buddhism (0.9%), Islam (0.4%) and Sikhism (0.3%).[2][74]
Devonport experiences a mild oceanic climate with small annual temperature ranges, influenced by its coastal exposure and frequent westerly frontal systems.[75][76] Summers are generally mild: from January to March average daytime maxima are around 20 to 22 °C (68 to 72 °F), with occasional warmer spells into the high 20 °C (68 °F) and periodic cool changes when fronts pass.[77][78]
Winters are cool and frequently cloudy, with regular light rain from passing fronts; July and August are typically the wettest months of the year. Daytime maxima in July average about 13 °C (55 °F) and nights are usually above freezing, while winter days rarely exceed about 15 °C (59 °F).[79][80] Spring and early summer (September to December) are typically cool to mild and windy, with frequent showers interspersed with sunnier breaks as weather systems move across the north coast.[81]
| Climate data forDevonport Airport (means and rainfall 1991–2020, extremes 1991–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 33.2 (91.8) | 30.6 (87.1) | 29.0 (84.2) | 24.9 (76.8) | 20.7 (69.3) | 18.8 (65.8) | 17.6 (63.7) | 18.1 (64.6) | 20.0 (68.0) | 25.9 (78.6) | 28.2 (82.8) | 30.9 (87.6) | 33.2 (91.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 21.6 (70.9) | 21.8 (71.2) | 20.5 (68.9) | 17.8 (64.0) | 15.4 (59.7) | 13.5 (56.3) | 12.8 (55.0) | 13.1 (55.6) | 14.3 (57.7) | 16.0 (60.8) | 18.0 (64.4) | 19.8 (67.6) | 17.0 (62.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.4 (54.3) | 12.7 (54.9) | 11.0 (51.8) | 8.8 (47.8) | 6.8 (44.2) | 5.1 (41.2) | 4.7 (40.5) | 4.9 (40.8) | 6.1 (43.0) | 7.4 (45.3) | 9.3 (48.7) | 10.7 (51.3) | 8.3 (46.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.0 (39.2) | −1.2 (29.8) | −2.5 (27.5) | −0.8 (30.6) | −1.8 (28.8) | −1.9 (28.6) | −2.2 (28.0) | −4.8 (23.4) | −2.0 (28.4) | −2.3 (27.9) | 0.6 (33.1) | 1.6 (34.9) | −4.8 (23.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 48.0 (1.89) | 35.3 (1.39) | 42.8 (1.69) | 56.8 (2.24) | 64.4 (2.54) | 71.8 (2.83) | 86.3 (3.40) | 81.5 (3.21) | 76.8 (3.02) | 55.2 (2.17) | 57.1 (2.25) | 47.4 (1.87) | 723.4 (28.48) |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.1 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 9.7 | 12.4 | 13.0 | 15.6 | 16.0 | 15.1 | 12.0 | 10.9 | 8.8 | 135.3 |
| Average afternoonrelative humidity (%) | 61 | 61 | 59 | 62 | 66 | 68 | 69 | 68 | 66 | 63 | 65 | 61 | 64 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 263.5 | 240.1 | 210.8 | 171.0 | 142.6 | 132.0 | 136.4 | 151.9 | 186.0 | 232.5 | 246.0 | 257.3 | 2,370.1 |
| Source 1:Bureau of Meteorology[3] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Bureau of Meteorology (1981–1996 sunshine hours)[82] | |||||||||||||
| Mayor of Devonport | |
|---|---|
Incumbent since 28 October 2022[83]Alison Jarman | |
| Style | Councillor |
| Member of | Devonport City Council |
| Formation | 1908 |
| First holder | Kerry Berwick[84] |
There are ninecouncillors that govern theDevonport City Council.[85] Alison Jarman was electedmayor of theCity of Devonport in 2022.[86] Devonport City Council oversees local governance in Devonport, managing infrastructure, community services, and local regulations. The council is also involved in supporting community development initiatives, including the Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre. Devonport's political landscape is marked by a blend of conservative and progressive influences, reflecting the region's broader social dynamics.[87][88][89]
At the state level, Devonport falls within theTasmanian House of Assembly’s electoral division ofBraddon, a multi-member electorate that includes bothLabor andLiberal members.[90]
Nationally, Devonport is located in thefederal electorate ofBraddon, currently represented byAnne Urquhart of theAustralian Labor Party.[91]Braddon has traditionally been a marginal seat, with representation often alternating between theLabor and Liberal parties in federal elections.[92]
Interconnecting several of the city’s historic cultural venues, theparanaple Arts Centre opened in November 2018. These include the Devonport Regional Gallery, the Town Hall Theatre, and the Devonport Visitor Information Centre. The complex contains exhibition spaces, a theatre, studios, rehearsal rooms and multipurpose areas used for performances, exhibitions and community events.[93][94]
The Devonport Regional Gallery’s permanent collection has its origins in works collected by Jean Thomas forThe Little Gallery, which opened in 1966 and exhibited works by Tasmanian artists. The gallery’s collection and programs generally focus on local arts, and also facilitates exhibitions, education and public events.[95][96]
The Tiagarra Aboriginal Culture Centre and Museum at Mersey Bluff is an Aboriginal-owned cultural institution that operates as a keeping place for Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural material. Its exhibits include petroglyphs, rock designs and displays relating to traditional Palawa/Pakana life. The centre was officially opened on 16 October 1976 byDoug Nicholls andGladys Nicholls.[97][98]
The Bass Strait Maritime Centre is located in the former Harbour Master’s House at East Devonport and focuses on the maritime history of Devonport, Bass Strait and northern Tasmania. The museum holds collections of artefacts, ship models, photographs and archival material relating to seafaring, shipwrecks and local maritime activity, and presents rotating exhibitions and educational programs.[99][100]
A volunteer-operated heritage railway and museum, theDon River Railway, is located atDon, a suburb of Devonport. The railway preserves and operates historic rolling stock associated with Tasmania’s rail transport history.[101]
.jpg)
Devonport offers a range of transportation options, includingroad networks,intercity bus services,public transport bus services operated byKinetic Tasmania,freight rail,passenger ferry,air travel, and alternative modes likecycling and walkingpathways.
Devonport Airport, located about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) east of the city atPardoe Downs, can be reached within a 15-minute car journey.[102] The airport is served byQantasLink andRex Airlines, providing non-stop flights toMelbourne.[103] QantasLink operates four dailyBombardier Dash 8 turboprop services to Melbourne.[104]
Encompassing 308 hectares (760 acres), the airport features a main runway measuring 1,838 by 45 metres (6,030 ft × 148 ft) and a secondary grassed runway spanning 880 by 30 metres (2,887 ft × 98 ft). Its infrastructure includes comprehensivetaxiways,passenger terminals andgeneral aviation, and maintenancehangars.[105] Recent upgrades in 2020 enhanced the terminal with a newdeparture lounge, upgradedsecurity, and a dedicatedfreight apron.[106]
The airport offers car parking, rental cars and taxi facilities.[107][108] It is connected to Devonport by public transport, with bus services operated by Kinetic (formerly including Merseylink) and local taxi services.[108][109]
From Devonport, two operators provide roll-on/roll-off freight service across Bass Strait to Victoria:
Cement Australia has been exporting cement fromRailton to Melbourne since 1926. Additional exports by ship includetallow, while coal was an export until the closure of the Fingal Valley coal mine.[113]Imports to Devonport includepetroleum,bunker fuel,fertiliser andcaustic soda.[114]
Due for completion in 2027, the $240 million Quaylink project, aTasPorts investment of newberths and terminal facilities, is expected to further boost the port's freight operations by 40%.[115][116][117]
TasRail maintains a freight rail line that connects the port area toBurnie andRailton.[118] Devonport had a railway station that was demolished in 1983.[119][120]
Situated inDon, theDon River Railway is a volunteer-runheritage railway and museum providing an opportunity for visitors to enjoy a passenger train ride from Don to Coles Beach.[121] The railway journey traces a reconstructed section of the former Melrose line, historically connecting Don Junction toPaloona.
Devonport serves as the departure point for theSpirit of Tasmania ferries (Spirit of Tasmania I andSpirit of Tasmania II) that travel from Devonport toGeelong, Victoria, taking approximately 11 hours for the voyage. These ferries are crucial for transporting passengers, vehicles, and freight between Tasmania and the Australian mainland, providing an essential link across the Bass Strait.[122][123]A ferry service connecting east and west of Devonport namedThe Spirit of Devonport ceased operations on the Mersey River after more than 160 years in 2022.[124][125][126]
Devonport Passenger Ferry History
| Vessel | Destination | Years | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oonah | Melbourne | 1921–1935 | Tasmanian Steamers |
| Loongana | Melbourne | 1921–1935 | Tasmanian Steamers |
| Nairana | Melbourne | 1921–1948 | Tasmanian Steamers |
| Taroona | Melbourne | 1935–1959 | Tasmanian Steamers |
| Princess of Tasmania | Melbourne | 1959–1972 | Australian National Line |
| Empress of Australia | Melbourne | 1972–1986 | Australian National Line |
| Abel Tasman | Melbourne | 1986–1993 | Spirit of Tasmania |
| Spirit of Tasmania | Melbourne | 1993–2002 | Spirit of Tasmania |
| Spirit of Tasmania I | Melbourne | 2002–2022 | Spirit of Tasmania |
| Spirit of Tasmania II | Melbourne | 2002–2022 | Spirit of Tasmania |
| Spirit of Tasmania III | Sydney | 2003–2006 | Spirit of Tasmania |
| Spirit of Tasmania I | Geelong | 2022– | Spirit of Tasmania |
| Spirit of Tasmania II | Geelong | 2022– | Spirit of Tasmania |
Situated within a modest expanse of 114 square kilometres (44 sq mi),[127] Devonport has a solid history inagriculture. Despite the region's spatial limitations, Devonport has been a linchpin in Tasmania's vegetable cultivation, yielding substantial quantities ofbeans,onions,peas, andpotatoes. The post-World War II era witnessed a transformative phase marked by the establishment of processing factories, with a specific emphasis on peas. These facilities assumed a crucial role in the canning, freezing, and dehydrating processes, not only bolstering local sustenance but also fundamentally influencing Tasmania's broader agricultural and food production paradigm.[128]Devonport has since emerged as a key contributor to Australia's agricultural production, with a significant supporting dairy industry,cereals,poppyseed oil andpyrethrum.[127]
Devonport has a range of government, Catholic and independent educational institutions providing primary, secondary and senior secondary education, as well as vocational and adult training.[129]
Vocational education and adult training is provided by aTasTAFE campus located on Valley Road, offering trade training, apprenticeships and certificate-level courses serving Devonport and the wider North West Coast.[130]
Devonport offers a range of sporting and recreational facilities, includin sporting grounds and public open space, such as the coastal Mersey Bluff Cultural Discovery Walk, Heritage Walk Track and theTasmanian Arboretum providing recreational walking tracks.[131]
Australian rules football is represented by theDevonport Football Club (Magpies), which competes in theNorth West Football League (NWFL) and won consecutive Senior Premierships in 2021 and 2022. TheEast Devonport Football Club (Swans) also competes in the NWFL, alongside clubs such asUlverstone andPenguin. Rugby union is represented by theDevonport Rugby Club, which competes in theTasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League.[132]
In association football,Devonport City Football Club competes in theNational Premier Leagues Tasmania, with a reserve side playing in theNorthern Championship.[133]
Cricket is represented by theDevonport Cricket Club, which competes in the North Western Tasmanian Cricket Association. Hockey teams from Devonport participate in competitions administered by Hockey Tasmania.[134]
Basketball is centred on theDevonport Warriors. The club is the largest in the North West Basketball Union and has hosted national events, including the Under-14 Australian Junior Championships in 1974. The Warriors also represented Devonport in theNational Basketball League during the 1983 and 1984 seasons.[135][136]
Netball in the Devonport region is administered by the Devon Netball Association, based inSpreyton, with teams participating in statewide competitions.[137]
Golf is represented by theDevonport Golf Club, which has hosted tournaments including theTasmanian Open and Tasmanian Seniors Open. The annual Devonport Regatta includespowerboat racing and other water-based events, while the Devonport Cup, held in January, is a major thoroughbred horse racing event.
The annual Devonport Triathlon, held in February, serves as an Oceania continental championship event.[138]
Major sporting venues in Devonport includeDevonport Oval, which hosts Australian rules football and cricket, and the Devonport Recreation Centre, which is the home venue of the Devonport Warriors basketball club. Aquatic and fitness facilities are provided by the Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre at the Don Reserve.[139] Tennis facilities are operated by the Devonport Tennis Club and East Devonport Tennis Club, which compete in competitions administered by the Tennis North West Association.[140] Touch football is organised by the Devonport Touch Football Association at Meercroft Park.[141]The Spreyton Racecourse hosts thoroughbred horse racing events, including the Devonport Cup.[142]
Minamata, Japan(1996).[143] The City of Devonport has a formalsister city agreement with Minamata City in Japan.[143] This was ratified in 1996. Both cities share a similar setting and area.[143][144]
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