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Devonport is a small, semi-industrial port city straddling the Bass Strait on the north coast of Tasmania. In travel circles, the city is best known as the home of the Spirit of Tasmania, the primary vehicle ferry from mainland Australia.
But not everyone sails into the city with their own motorhome. Thanks to its strategic location, easy-to-access airport, and competitive campervan rental companies, Devonport is a great base to hire a ride and explore the state.
Tasmania is a dream campervan destination, chock full of cragged mountains, river-cut valleys, and sopping-wet rainforest. With excellent RV infrastructure (water refills, dump points, etc.) and fabulous free camps, travelling around Tassie in a motorhome is a breeze.
Most campervan rentals in Devonport cost between AUD $40 to $400 per day (most fees included).
Rental rates can vary depending on:
Devonport rental agencies offer three main RV types:
The campervan is a small, budget-friendly minivan with a bed and basic kitchen. Some have high roofs so you can stand inside.
The 4WD camper typically has a rooftop tent and a slide-out kitchen in the boot. Although less luxurious, these capable off-road vehicles let you explore remote, rugged tracks.
The motorhome is a bigger, more luxurious vehicle with an indoor kitchen, an onboard toilet/shower, and a sitting room. The downside is that it’s pricier to rent and refuel (plus harder to park).
The cheapest months for hiring a campervan in Devonport are in the winter - from May to August. October and November are usually also reasonably priced. However, December and January have the most expensive rates in the year.
Most campervan rental companies are based at or near Hobart Airport, so there are limited options available at Devonport Airport. There are two companies to hire from – Bargain and Leisure Rent.
Yes, you can. Leisure Rent provides a depot at the Spirit of Tasmania cruise terminal located at the terminal car park in Devonport.
| Campervan Company | Address | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Leisure Rent | At the Airport Carpark, Devonport, Australia | At Devonport Airport |
| Bargain Campers Energi Campers | Serviced location. | Devonport Airport is a serviced non-depot location |
| Leisure Rent | Spirit Of Tasmania Terminal Devonport At the Terminal Carpark, Devonport, Australia | At Devonport Ferry Terminal carpark |
Here’s why a rented RV is the cheapest and most convenient way to explore Tasmania:
Cost-effective: A campervan lets you combine rental and transport costs to save.
Convenient: Instead of returning to town after a day’s sightseeing, you can pull up at a nearby campsite.
Flexibility: A motorhome gives you the freedom to explore Tasmania on your own terms.
Free camping: Tasmania is awash with awesome free camps, which let you get reacquainted with nature and save.
Onboard amenities: Everything you need, from food to fresh clothes, is always within easy reach.
When embarking on a motorhome holiday, remember these essentials when driving around Tasmania in a campervan rental:
Following these thrifty money-saving tips will let you reduce expenses even further.
Book ahead: Reserving your campervan early gives you a better rate.
Avoid peak seasons: Tasmania receives hordes of visitors during busy travel seasons like Christmas, New Year, and school holidays. Arrive off-peak to save.
Compare prices: Use Camper Champ to compare RV rental agencies in Devonport.
Go small: A modest, budget-friendly campervan costs much less to rent than a flashy motorhome.
Stick to one region: Saving the east coast for the next trip means you’ll spend less on fuel.
Avoid backtracking: Although distances are small, Tassie’s rugged terrain can entail long drive times. Plan an efficient circular route to minimise backtracking.
Return to Devonport: Bringing your motorhome back to Devonport sees you avoid pricey one-way drop-off fees.
Refuel strategically: Download the PetrolSpy app to find the cheapest service stations in your area.
Free camp: Take advantage of the many free and low-cost campsites.
Get a national park pass: Single-entry passes are expensive in Tasmania. Most travellers will get a better deal with a two-month holiday pass.
Hit the trails: Tasmania is a hiking paradise, and this healthy hobby won’t cost you a dime.
While every season has its charm, some say autumn (March-May) is the best season in Tasmania with its cool, dry days and crisp nights. Followed closely is spring (September-November), when the land wakes up after winter, and the flowers blossom beautifully. Finally, in the shoulder seasons (Oct-Nov and Apr-May), you should get decent weather, fewer crowds and off-peak prices.
The average maximum temperature in January is 21 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum in July is 7 degrees Celsius. Rainfall can occur throughout the year but is more common in winter and spring. Snowfall is possible at higher elevations but rare in low-lying areas.
Autumn/fall (Mar-May): Ideal if you're keen on soaking up the local scenery and the great outdoors. The weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller.
Winter (Jun-Aug): Chilly, but some folks love it. If that’s you, bring your warmest gear.
Spring (Sep-Nov): Colours bloom in great beauty. Spring is a season of winds and frequent weather changes, with snowfall in the mountains likely throughout October.
Summer (Dec-Feb): Great for time on the coast, as it’s warmer and better for swimming and hiking. It’s also the peak tourist season, so availability goes down, and prices go up. Still, this is Tassie, and you’ll love the place!
The ideal length for a motorhome holiday around Northwest Tasmania is one to two weeks. While you could spend a month or more exploring the region (especially if you’re a hiker), a week or two gives you time to check out the highlights at a leisurely pace.
Given its small stature, it’s viable to explore other areas of Tasmania, too. However, if you plan to focus on the south or east, consider hiring a campervan in Hobart or in Launceston instead.
As a small, uncrowded city, parking is easy to find in Devonport.
If you’re in a large motorhome, the most convenient place to park is at one of the city’s three dedicated RV parking lots:
On-street parking and council-run car parks are free everywhere except for a small section of the city centre. In this zone, you must pay $1.50 per hour via cash or card at the ticket machine or the EasyPark app.
Most free and paid parking bays have time restrictions.
The Devonport Council has a by-law prohibiting free camping inside the city.
The Council allows self-contained campers to stay overnight at Horsehead Creek. This popular riverside campsite costs $11 per night, which you can pay at the Visitor’s Centre or via the EasyPark app.
Four holiday parks offer sites in town— Mersey Bluff Caravan Park is the cream of the crop. Another top Devonport option is the Abel Tasman Caravan Park.
Don’t want to fork out for a site? The closest free camp is the Forth Valley Recreation Ground, a 10-minute drive away.
A valid park pass is required to visit any of the 19 National Parks in Tasmania.
The Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania charges an exorbitant single-entry day pass fee of $41.20 per vehicle for almost all its national parks. The exception is Cradle Mountain, which costs $25.75 for the day.
But shoe stringers needn’t lament. The price structure is merely a ruse to steer sales towards the national park holiday pass. For $82.40, you can get two months of vehicle entry into every Tasmanian park. Therefore, the holiday pass will pay for itself if you visit at least two protected areas.
Tasmanian park pass options are:
$41.20 per vehicle for a daily pass valid for up to 24 hrs (excluding Cradle Mountain)
82.40 per vehicle for a holiday pass valid for up to 2 months (including Cradle Mountain)
Annual and two-year passes cost slightly more and include discounts for seniors. No discounts are available on the holiday or single-entry passes.
Most Tasmanian national park campgrounds are free. The exceptions cost between $7 and $16 per site per night, paid in person with cash upon arrival. Honeymoon Campground in Freycinet is so popular you must enter a ballot system to snag a spot during peak season (Christmas, New Year, and Easter).
Most RV travellers see Devonport as more of a starting/finishing point than a destination.
Devonport serves as a strategic starting point to explore the pristine landscapes of Northwest Tasmania.
On the north end of town, scenic hiking trails wind around a rugged peninsula home to the red-and-white-striped Mersey Bluff Lighthouse. If the weather’s nice, nearby Coles Beach is a top spot for a splash. Sea-faring types should pop into the Bass Strait Maritime Centre to learn about Tasmania’s nautical past.
Just west of town, the Penguin Viewing Platform offers an up-close encounter with adorable flightless birds. Epicureans should swing by Ashgrove Dairy Door, the House of Anvers, and Spreyton Cider Co to taste Tassie’s top cheese, chocolate, and apple-infused booze.
The jewel of Northwest Tasmania is Cradle Mountain, an iconic 1,545-metre peak. A string of scenic walking trails traverses the pristine national park, from quick, family-friendly stints to the 65km Overland Track. Scaling Cradle’s summit requires solid fitness, but easy breathtaking trails abound around Dove Lake.
To the north, Leven Canyon is a worthwhile detour for its tranquil campsite and the jaw-dropping Cruickshanks Lookout. Hardy hikers will love trudging around the rugged Mount Roland Regional Reserve. If you’re especially fit and craving a multi-day wilderness adventure, the Walls of Jerusalem offers a challenging alternative to the Overland Track.
The Great Western Tiers region hosts a broad network of breathtaking trails, from luscious rainforest walks to cragged panoramic peaks (try Meander Forest Reserve and Quamby Bluff Forest Reserve). The highlight is the easy-to-reach Liffey Falls, one of the state’s most scenic cascades.
A plethora of quaint country towns lies peppered around Northwest Tasmania, each blending time-old colonial history with verdant hilly views. Pencil in a pit stop at charming settlements like Deloraine, Railton, Sheffield, Mole Creek, Spreyton, and Latrobe.
Underground explorers will love King Solomons Cave and Marakoopa Cave (near Mole Creek), as well as Gunns Plains Caves (near Ulverstone).
Venturing west from Devonport, stretch your legs in Ulverstone and Penguin to taste Tasmanian coastal life. The industrial city of Burnie doesn’t have huge appeal, although wildlife spotters will enjoy the Fern Glade Platypus Reserve and Little Penguin Observation Centre.
The riverfront village of Wynyard brims with colonial-era charm and offers stunning views from the top of Fossil Bluff. From late September to late October, Table Cape Tulip Farm blooms with bulbiferous geophytes. Nearby, the Table Cape Lookout affords more breathtaking coastal views.
Boat Harbour is a beautiful beach town famed for its calm, turquoise-tinged waters. Not far west, Rocky Cape National Park is a hiker’s paradise full of rugged cliff-top trails.
Perched on a pointy peninsula, the seaside town of Stanley is a classic Northwest destination. Don’t leave without hiking or riding the chairlift up The Nut, a bulbous ancient volcanic plug overlooking the village.
A little inland, the Tarkine Drive is a magnificent mini road trip full of rainforest-shrouded rivers and reflective tree-lined ponds—don’t miss the photogenic Trowutta Arch. The aptly-named End of the World Lookout at Arthur River showcases the raw power of the Roaring Forties, Tasmania’s famously fierce westerly winds.
West Tasmania is a sparsely populated region famed for its pristine rainforests and staggered peaks.
The most famous town is Strahan, a historic spot and starting point for scenic Gordon River cruises and the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
A short drive east, Queenstown is a former mining settlement surrounded by towering hills. Watch hard-as-nails locals play football on gravel at the Queenstown Oval. Come nightfall, hit the Paragon Theatre for The Ship That Never Was, Australia’s longest-running play.
To the north, historic Zeehan has a string of exquisite buildings from its 1800s silver mining heydays. Wander through the Spray Tunnel and brush up on history at the West Coast Heritage Centre.
The cragged Frenchman’s Cap is among Tasmania’s top multi-day hikes. You’ll also find a slew of day trails around the region, especially within Lake St Clair National Park. Waterfall chasers mustn’t miss Montezuma Falls, Nelson Falls, and Hogarth Falls.
Keen to savour the best of the Northwest in a limited timeframe?
We’ve rounded down the top ten sites to visit from Devonport.
This 7-day campervan road trip itinerary will take you on a journey through Tasmania's diverse landscapes, from the rugged west coast to the pristine beaches of the east coast. You'll explore ancient rainforests, hike to majestic mountain peaks, wander through charming historic towns, and soak in the beauty of the island's stunning coastlines.
MORE: 7-Day Devonport ItineraryMost campervan rental companies are based at or near Hobart Airport, so there are limited options available at Devonport Airport. There are two companies to hire from – Bargain and Leisure Rent.
Yes, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry crosses the Bass Strait to mainland Australia 1–2 times each day.
There are terminals available in both Melbourne and Devonport, and the ferry allows campervans on board. There is an associated fee, which can vary, depending on the size of the campervan and the number of people in your party.
Please note that you will be responsible for booking the ferry yourself. Contact our support team if you have any questions.
Most campervan rental companies in Australia require the driver to be 21 years of age or older to rent from their full range of vehicles.
Some companies will rent to drivers between 18 and 21, but only certain models may be available. A couple of companies have higher age requirements: 23 (Leisure Rent) and 24 (Captain Billy’s). Enter the driver’s age into our search tool and we will filter available vehicles to match.
For young drivers, additional insurance may be required and special conditions may apply.
Yes, the most popular route is Hobart to Launceston (or in the opposite direction). Vehicles can also be picked up in Devonport, though the choices there are limited.
Most campervan hire suppliers have their branch located in Hobart, and hence the largest selection of campers is available there. As a result, many travellers decide to do a full circuit of the island, travelling one way along the east coast and the other along the west coast of the island.
This allows you to see many of Tasmania's popular tourist attractions, starting with visitor favourites Mount Wellington and Salamanca Market in Hobart City, through the Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay on the east coast, to Cradle Mountain and the Tamar Valley up north and the Gordon River along the rugged west coast.
The majority of Tassie motorhome rental companies have their branch located in Hobart, so you'll find a wider selection of rental vehicles available there.
Yes, it’s standard for most campervan rental companies to allow an additional driver. This driver and any others must be named on the rental agreement, and there may be a nominal fee.
Additional drivers must also hold an appropriate driver’s licence and must meet driver age requirements.
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