Where to Go After Arriving in Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania

Taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong to Devonport is the classic approach for travellers looking to visit Tasmania. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or want to bring a car over, the Spirit is a staple of Tasmanian tourism. While the day sail isn’t too tough, the overnight ferry from Geelong comes with some challenges.

The big one? Where do you start your day after arriving in Devonport bright and early in the morning?

With the Spirit of Tasmania arriving in Devonport between 6 and 7 am, plus the time it takes to disembark, you’re arriving in Tasmania right around breakfast time. This means your main options are to find somewhere to get breakfast or hit the road. This part of Tasmania is more rural than it seems, so it’s best to know the closest top places to get breakfast and the nearest destinations you can reach.

Where to get breakfast after the Spirit of Tasmania overnight ferry

After arriving in Devonport on the Spirit, you’re bound to be craving food and coffee. Upon arriving in Devonport, the first thing many tourists do is quickly drive away from the town. After all, they’re excited to get on the road and start exploring Tasmania. But it’s actually best if you don’t go too far, as you’ll find some stellar breakfast places near Devonport.

Sure, there is a McDonald’s in town that some won’t mind (a good option on public holidays when things are closed), not to mention several cafes in the city center.

But many people are keen to make a start towards their destination and avoid everyone else who has disembarked the ferry. That’s one reason why these three breakfast spots are so good. They’re all just off the Bass Highway that runs away from Devonport along the north coast of Tasmania.

The other reason is that the food is delicious, which will definitely lift your mood on your first day in Tassie.

House of Anvers

First up, we have the fantastic cafe at the Anvers Chocolate Factory, just outside the town of Latrobe. Yes, you can have breakfast at a place where delicious chocolate is made. The House of Anvers was established by a Belgian, Igor Van Gerwen, who moved to Tasmania, bringing his skills with Belgian chocolate with him.

While other parts of the site are devoted to chocolate-making, the cafe is where you want to be first thing in the morning. Housed inside a quaint country bungalow from the 30s, Anvers Cafe has a relaxed and comforting atmosphere. There’s a reason locals drive down here for brunch or lunch.

The cafe has multiple menus, including breakfast and all-day menus, with plenty of variety on offer. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of chocolate on the menu.

I went with the awesome Belgian waffles that have a whole page dedicated to them, and there were certainly no regrets. Waffles with hazelnut praline sauce, ice cream, and cream, yum! However, not everything is sweet, and you’ll find eggs, croissants, and vegetarian dishes.

So something for everyone, even if chocolate isn’t your thing.

Directions: 9025 Bass Hwy, Latrobe TAS 7307, Australia — take Highway 1 / Bass Highway, travelling towards Latrobe and Deloraine

Turners Beach Berry Patch

Heading in the other direction from Devonport, the other tasty place for breakfast after the ferry is Turners Beach Berry Patch.

The Berry Patch, as its name suggests, is a berry farm right near the coast that has a delicious on-site restaurant. So it’s little surprise that in many of the dishes they make, you’ll get delicious, freshly picked berries.

But if you’re worrying that this is a niche restaurant, think again. They serve up breakfast, brunch, lunch, and are even open for dinner on Fridays, and offer the kind of international cuisine Australia prides itself on. On their extensive all-day menu, they have things like pancakes, granola, bacon, and eggs, which were delicious. I couldn’t resist getting a side of mushrooms, but the beetroot and rhubarb chutney was a pleasant surprise. They also have a small cake display if you’re after something smaller, plus great coffee.

The restaurant has a fair amount of indoor seating, but also covered outdoor tables, which are nice in summer. If you’re travelling with kids, the outdoor area is great as there are games and hay bales for them to play with. You definitely get the rustic, farm vibe that feels so fitting in Tasmania.

Directions: 4 Blackburn Dr, Turners Beach TAS 7315, Australia — take Highway 1 / Bass Highway, travelling towards Ulverstone and Burnie

Windows On Westella

Windows of Westella is one of the newer places I’ve learned about in northern Tasmania.

Driving up to it, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a winery. And the name leaves plenty to the imagination. What it actually is is an excellent cafe attached to a pickle company.

Yes, you can buy all sorts of pickled onions here as well, not to mention other local produce.

But back to the cafe, you can sit inside looking out its large windows, or get fresh on a small outdoor patio. Reservations are recommended, as it’s a popular place, especially on weekends.

The cafe menu has lots of familiar items — big breakfast, smashed avo, eggs Benedict, plus other snacks and brunch foods. But their specialty is their decadent waffles, both savory and sweet, that really go overboard. I tried one of their Christmas waffles, and it was very extra and even included candy canes.

Now, it might be a little pricey, especially if you’re a big family. But as a one-off special meal after a long boat ride, I think you can justify it.

Directions: 100 Westella Dr, Ulverstone TAS 7315 — take Highway 1 / Bass Highway, travelling towards Ulverstone and Burnie

Destinations near the Devonport Spirit of Tasmania Terminal

If breakfast isn’t on your mind, then sightseeing probably is. You no doubt have a plan for your Tasmania road trip that you want to get to, but it’s worth knowing your immediate options.

Maybe you can easily add another place in. These are some of the most common destinations within a reasonable drive from the Devonport ferry terminal.

Latrobe

If you don’t want to go into Devonport, then Latrobe is a perfect alternative.

It’s the first town just outside of Devonport to the southeast, and it’s really quite underrated. Latrobe has a proper country-town look, with a few older buildings along its main street. But it’s the nature surrounding Latrobe that I really adore.

You have walking trails and parks along the Mersey River, including Pig Island, which is a great option if you need to gently stretch your legs after the boat trip. But you also have two of my favourite walks in northern Tasmania nearby, Warrawee and Dooleys Hill.

Plus, Anvers is just down the road if you don’t feel like going to Latrobe’s own cafes.

Sheffield

South of Devonport, Sheffield is one of the largest towns in the countryside.

The town sits at a bit of a crossroads, and you can head off in several different directions from Sheffield to reach popular Tasmanian destinations.

But Sheffield is also worth the stop. It’s famous for its many street murals, a collection that it keeps adding to with its annual mural festival. Some murals decorate regular buildings, while they have a small exhibition park that you can freely admire too.

Just outside of Sheffield, you have The Badgers Range. This hilly nature reserve is covered in bushland and offers a nice variety of walking trails, some with spectacular views.

You also have a share of cafes and bakeries to choose from here.

Hawley Beach

Maybe you’re feeling a bit of cabin fever after the long overnight sail from Geelong.

If that’s the case, a beach walk might do you some good. You could choose a beach close to Devonport, such as Coles Beach, but one of the nicest beaches in northern Tasmania is just a short drive farther.

Hawley Beach isn’t especially large or has a pristine arc of sand. What I like about it is the orange-stained boulders that decorate one end of its shore.

If you’re planning to visit the Bay of Fires, think of Hawley Beach as a warm-up mini-version. Go for a walk, enjoy the fresh sea air, or even take a dip in its sheltered waters.

Penguin

Maybe you’re heading west from Devonport, not east, but still want to see the seaside.

Then I think it’s best you aim for Penguin. But rather than taking the direct highway route to Penguin, you’re better off doing the scenic drive.

Once you reach West Ulverstone, turn right and head for Penguin Road. At first, you’re just looking at old train tracks on this coastal road, but once the road climbs, it offers nice coastal views.

Penguin is named after the colonies of little penguins found along Tasmania’s north coast. You likely won’t find any real ones about — Lillico, Burnie, and Stanley offer better chances. Instead, you’ll find penguin-themed statues and sculptures all around town and its redeveloped foreshore.

You can also find several cafes and bakeries in Penguin.

Cradle Mountain

Last, but not least, we have Cradle Mountain.

This popular Tasmanian attraction isn’t actually close to Devonport — the drive usually takes about 1.5 hours. But I mention it here because there’s a fair chance it’s where you’re thinking of going.

Even with breakfast, there’s an okay chance you’ll reach the park’s visitor centre by 10 am. That gives you plenty of time for a basic tour of Cradle’s highlights, such as the Dove Lake Circuit and some of the easily reached waterfalls.

Staying near the park means you’ve got more time to properly explore Cradle Mountain and look for wildlife. Otherwise, you’ll need to head off in the mid-to-late afternoon to reach your overnight accommodation.

So, yes, there’s nothing wrong with making Cradle Mountain your first stop. You can even pass through Sheffield on the way. But try not to rush it if you can.

Have you had breakfast at these cafes after arriving on the Spirit of Tasmania? Where would you recommend for overnight passengers getting breakfast in Devonport? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.