Devonport (pop. 24,591) is a major port in northwestern Tasmania, Australia. The city’s harbor, at the mouth of the Mersey River, is the terminal for the ferry from Melbourne. Factories in Devonport produce dairy and meat products, textiles, timber, processed food, starch, and flour.
The Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural and Arts Centre has preserved carvings and other relics of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. Nearby is the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, built in 1881. Another tourist attraction is Home Hill, the residence of Joseph Lyons and his wife, Dame Enid Lyons. Lyons was the first Australian prime minister born in Tasmania. His wife was the first female Cabinet member.
The Devonport area, which was first settled in 1829, was originally divided into two townships, Torquay and Formby. In 1890, the two townships joined together. Devonport was proclaimed a city in 1981.
