Yesterday we were advised that a likely sighting of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) could be had from Devonport due to recent solar activity but unfortunately the town’s street lighting was too bright to see more than the brightest stars. We did, however, see plenty of Pademelons hopping around the Mersey Bluff Caravan Park. These were the cause of the mysterious ‘landmines’ that appear overnight. Thoughtfully the park owners provide a garden rake ideal for relocating these deposits.

[Pademelons, for those not familiar with Australian wildlife, are similar to wallabies but with smaller, rounded ears, a thicker tail and limbs covered in a dense fur.]

We awoke to another cool morning with a cloudless sky and the sun glittering on the calm sea. Perfect for a stroll along the coast. But first, coffee! And for the morning brew we can highly recommend Drift conveniently located adjacent to the caravan park and looking out over the beach. It’s a popular spot with early risers completing their morning run and those looking to thaw following a dip in the sea.

The Spirit of Controversy

A little further along the coastline is a 5-metre tall statue titled ‘Spirit of the Seas’ situated at the entrance of the Mersey River. Its installation was highly controversial featuring a naked depiction of a man holding a spear with similarities to Neptune. It was not a commissioned piece of artwork with local artists claiming the $150,000 contribution by the council was a massive overspend. It was also thought not appropriate to have the naked behind of a man greeting passengers of the Spirit of Tasmania. Worse still the view as they leave for the mainland!

Bass Strait Maritime Museum

Time for lunch but first we had arranged to meet our travel buddies at the Bass Strait Maritime Museum just a short walk from the caravan Park. The small museum details the history of the surprising number and style of ships that transported goods as well as early settlers to Tasmania. It also documents the development of Devonport as the primary port on the north coast of Tasmania.

The shallow estuary severely restricted the size of ships that could dock and, prior to dredging the channel, smaller ketches were required to load and unload cargo – a slow and laborious process. Nowadays large ferries and freight carriers are able to enter and manoeuvre within the port, though with just metres to spare.

Children, and many adults, will be entertained by the virtual ship simulator that gives the opportunity to try your hand at docking a ship in Devonport Harbour. It is way more challenging than you would imagine, especially when numerous ships are heading straight for you …in a swell… and at night!

The museum displays continue within the individual rooms of the house the museum is located in. Models of the previous Bass Strait ferries; The Princess of Tasmania and the Empress of Tasmania, give a good idea of just how large the current Spirit of Tasmania ships are. The next generation ferries due to go into service will be even larger.

Not only can we highly recommend the coffee in the museum cafe but also the delicious meals and cakes. The smoked salmon rillettes in particular were superb.

Useful fact for Trivia fans: Railton in Tasmania is the home of a major cement manufacturer that, during the late 1920’s, exported from Devonport the cement used in the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

* Image courtesy of Wikipedia