Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Devonport, Tasmania
Devonport is a city in the north-west of Tasmania, Australia, at the mouth of the Mersey River. It, along with the slightly smaller city of Burnie, are the major regional centres of the north-west of the state. To visitors to Tasmania, it is primarily known as the port for the Spirit of Tasmania ferries - Spirit I and II travel to Melbourne, Victoria, and Spirit III to Sydney, New South Wales.
The area was first surveyed by Captain Charles Hardwicke in 1823. The area was originally known as Port Frederick, then Mersey River, the name of the river flowing through the town. Later it became two separate towns - Formby on the western side, and Torquay on the east. The towns joined to become Devonport (named for Devonport in England) in 1890.
Devonport was declared a city in 1981.
The local government area is the Devonport City Council, with a population of 24,334 (2001 census).
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