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Derwent Valley / Highlands Tourism

About the Derwent Valley / Highlands Region

The Derwent Valley Region of Tasmania is the upper part of the Derwent River, from the major town of New Norfolk (just north-west of Hobart) to the remote south-west hydro town of Strathgordon.

The river originates at Lake St Clair, in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania, forms part of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It has a maximum depth of 200 m, making it Australia’s deepest lake. From Lake St Clair, the Derwent flows south over a distance of 187 km to New Norfolk and the estuary portion extends a further 52 km out to sea.

When first explored by Europeans in the 19th century, the lower parts of the picturesque valley were clad in thick she-oak forests, remnants of which remain in various parts of the lower foreshore. The initial settlement in the area occurred at and around New Norfolk, 35 km north-west of Hobart. The town was originally founded by pioneers re-settled from Norfolk Island in 1808, and the town is home to both a contender for the oldest continually run licensed hotels in Australia and the oldest continually run church, St Matthew’s, the most venerable parts of which date back to 1832.

A major attraction for visitors to the region is the Rivers Run touring route, which shows the natural beauty of the area off to its best advantage. From New Norfolk it follows the Valley up through the salmon ponds of Plenty and historic oast-houses of Bushy Park, areas also typified by their orchards, olive groves and vineyards.

Travellers can then choose to go west to the waterfalls and forests of Mount Field National Park. One of its most beautiful falls, Russell Falls, is further enhanced in the evenings by its population of glow worms. Nearby Maydena is home to the deepest caves in Australia, the Junee cave system.

At the north-western extreme of the region is Derwent Bridge and surrounds, noted for their fine mountain, lake and river views and excellent trout fishing.

List of Towns in the Derwent Valley / Highlands Region

Click on any town name in the following list to display historical, geographical and tourism related information for the town selected.

FENTONBURY | MAYDENA | NEW NORFOLK

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