Don Reserve

The Don Reserve is a peaceful and stunning bushland reserve featuring paved and sawdust walking tracks near and beside the Don River.

The Reserve borders the Don River and contains 32 hectares of Black Gum forest, seven hectares of Swamp Paperbark and 16 hectares of Coastal Black Peppermint. These species are poorly preserved in other parts of the state so their importance here is not to be underestimated. A great place to see birds, with over 70 species recorded, 20 more than for most similar reserves in Tasmania, including the rare Swift Parrot. This has come about by habitat improvements, loss of habitat elsewhere and the geographic location of the Reserve being the eastern most extent of some species and the western most extent of others. The estuary is ever changing with  tides that vary over three metres.

Sawdust Bridge – Believed to be the first primitive crossing over any river on the North-West Coast, the Sawdust Bridge (named because it was adjacent to vast deposits of sawdust which were flumed along the riverbank from the sawmill) was originally constructed of sapling spars and was capable of taking foot and single horse traffic. Over the years the bridge fell into disrepair numerous times until it was brought back to life in 1988 as a Bicentennial project and again in 2017.

A playground beside Splash Devonport Aquatic Centre was upgraded late 2021/early 2022. 

It is accessible seven days a week by pathways with parking available;

• Coles Beach,
• Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre,
• Jiloa Way (Street parking),
• Dell Luck Reserve/Don River Railway.

Bike racks are available at Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

Volunteer as a Friend of Don Reserve, and assist in improving the biodiversity of the Reserve.