DEVONPORT
(an RV Friendly Town)
Devonport is the gateway town (or
exit)
to/from
Tasmania. This economic and tourism benefit ensures a high level of
day to day commerce. This Tassie town jumps. Devonport
is a city in the
northwestern part of Tassie and is situated at the mouth of the Mersey
River._small.JPG)
Devonport is the major regional centre of the north western part of
the state. _small.JPG) _small.JPG)
During the 1850s the twin settlements of Formby and
Torquay were established on opposite banks at the mouth of the Mersey
River. Torquay was the larger community with police, post, magistrate,
at least three hotels, shipyards and stores. From 1870–1880 the
shipping industry grew and work was undertaken to deepen the mouth of
the river. When the mouth of the river could support a shipping
industry the first regular steamer services commenced operating
directly between the Mersey and Melbourne.
In 1889 the Bluff lighthouse was completed and the
turn of the Century saw the railway make a significant difference to
the Formby community._small.JPG) 
It combined a railhead and port facilities in the one place. A wharf
was created on the west bank close to the railway and warehouses and
situated in the main wharf area. The railway brought a building boom
to Formby. In 1890 a public vote united Torquay and Formby, and the
settlements became the town of Devonport.
The Maritime Museum gives a really great insight to
the early history. _small.JPG)  _small.JPG) 
The congregational churches all have old and historic
links._small.JPG)  
The East Devonport Anglican Church especially so.
Today there still five active traditional hotels
in Devonport. All being over 100 years old._small.JPG)   _small.JPG)
plus these  Be
sure to check out the greatest ever footy side at the Alex.
The Devonport multi sited War Memorial
deserves dedicated time and respect. The Vietnam Memorial especially
so.    
When visiting, both on entry and exit allow a day or
two. This is a really nice Aussie town.  
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