Dark clouds had started rolling in as we turned our backs on Cradle Mountain, leaving behind dramatic alpine peaks and wide buttongrass moorlands. Back on open roads, we drove towards our next destination with our hearts filled with beautiful memories made in the lap of nature. Next up on the itinerary was the coastal breeze of Devonport.
Day 8 – Cradle Mountain to Devonport (86 km)
Follow my journey – Epic 11-Day Road Trip in Tasmania
I saw an advertisement for Tasmazia and the village of Lower Crackpot. Well, the name naturally piqued my interest. So, on our way north, we took a detour to check out one of the world’s largest botanical maze complexes. And it was every bit as quirky and delightful as the name suggests. Any lingering doubts I had about it being “just for kids” vanished the moment we stepped into the compound. The hedges were towering, the paths were genuinely disorienting (one section is literally called the Confusion Maze for a reason!), and both kids and adults were having a hilarious time trying to find their way out. We also ran into a family of wallabies scuttling between the tall bushes, probably just as confused as we were.
After escaping the maze, we stepped deeper into the grounds and arrived at the miniature village of Lower Crackpot. Look at these creative and whimsical building designs.
There was also a section dedicated to miniature models of some of the world’s most iconic monuments and structures.
Roadside Quirks: Nowhere Else Road & Devil’s Gate Dam
After spending a couple of hours in this charming, quirky world, we resumed our journey towards Devonport. The Tasmanian countryside continued to bewitch me with its unique landscape, but what really kept us entertained were the hilarious street names along the way. Imagine my surprise when we literally found ourselves driving down Nowhere Else Road! A little further along, we even passed the Devil’s Gate Dam. Ah! This island never fails to amaze me.
We rolled into Devonport by 2 pm, right on time for checking into our hotel by the harbour. During our stay, we were lucky enough to catch a front-row view of the massive, iconic Spirit of Tasmania docked by the water.
After freshening up, we headed out for a stroll along the waterside, soaking in the city’s quiet, coastal rhythm. We grabbed a delicious Vietnamese lunch at Noodles and Rice Restaurant, picked up some hot coffee, and spent the late afternoon unwinding while our son burned off some energy at a nearby playground by the Mersey River.
Day 9: Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, Bluff Beach & XOXO Cafe
The next morning, we took things completely at our own pace, starting with a long, relaxed breakfast at the hotel. After several fast-paced days spent conquering Tasmania’s wild interior, we were more than ready for a slower beat. Our agenda for the day was blissfully simple: visit the iconic, striped Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and spend the rest of our time meandering along the sea.
The next day, we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast at the hotel. After spending several fast-paced days exploring the wilderness of Tasmania, from the south to the east coast, we were more than ready for a slow-paced holiday. Our agenda was blissfully simple: visit the iconic Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and stroll along the seaside.
Built in 1889, Mersey Bluff lighthouse is a 16-meter brick lighthouse and is northern Tasmania’s most famous coastal landmark. Unlike most Australian lighthouses, which are solid white or feature horizontal bands, vertical stripes are exceptionally rare across the country.
Before the lighthouse was built, this stretch of the Bass Strait had a devastating reputation for tragic shipwrecks. Once the light was switched on in 1889, the era of local shipwrecks virtually came to an end.
My son and I discovered a short trail near the lighthouse that led us down to Bluff Beach, with a lovely beach-side playground where my son had a ball on the swings and the slides.
The weather was perfect for a beachside siesta. The quiet summer breeze almost lulled me to sleep.
Afterwards, explored Don Heads – just 10-minutes drive away from the lighthouse. Once home to the Punnilerpanner people, Don Heads was shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions 30 million years ago, leaving dramatic hexagonal basalt pillars along Tasmania’s rugged maritime shoreline. This was another unique sight to see and appreciate in Tasmania.
Nearby, we found a pond and a path that takes you to Elm Forest.
We returned to the city for a late lunch at a very pretty restaurant called the XOXO Cafe. The food was delicious, but I spent half the meal admiring the gorgeous plant decor, taking mental notes and inspiration for my own garden back home.
In the evening, we caught a movie at a nearby theater to keep the relaxed vibe going. But as fate would have it, my husband had a little accident back at the hotel, so we ended up at urgent care.
The next day, we drove to Launceston. Stay tuned for the final leg of our road trip.
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