The Derwent Valley is located to the north of Hobart, stretching through some of our most pristine wilderness and provides a range of experiences. This a huge area and offers everything from adrenalin pumping mountain biking at Maydena Bike Park, to a historical afternoon at a Salmon hatchery and bushwalks galore.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in this region:
New Norfork
New Norfolk is a quaint village and the gateway to the Derwent Valley. Perched along the Derwent River, the Pulpit Rock Lookout provides a panoramic view where you can take in the river’s wetlands, acres of farmland, the parks and historical houses of New Norfolk, including the historical Oast House. Any time of the year is a good time to take a drive through the Derwent Valley but New Norfolk in autumn, is at its most breathtaking with the poplars and willows turning the valley to gold. Take the time to drive both sides of the river for awe inspiring views of the river.
Back in New Norfolk, the antique shops are a wonderful way to break up your inevitable days of wandering ancient rainforests and revisit a more man-made history. A day trip might also include lunch at the Agrarian Kitchen, the result of a families dedication to their nearby cooking school and working garden. This restaurant has received many awards and is open for lunch Thursday through to Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Russell Falls
One of the most photographed views in Tasmania, Russell Falls, will never disappoint. The walking track to the falls is wheelchair and pram friendly and can be enjoyed by all fitness levels. If you are a keen photographer or an appreciator of waterfalls, you may want to continue your walk onto the Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls.
The short, 20-minute walk will take you through temperate rainforest featuring tall tree ferns, dogwood, myrtle and towering swamp gums. Look closely and you’ll find fungi in every colour and shape under the sun and an evening walk back to Russell Falls on their well-lit path, offers you an opportunity to spot the glow worms in their natural habitat.
Other short walks in the area, which are also suitable for all fitness levels, although less accessible for wheelchair users, is the Tall Trees walk and the Pandani Grove Walk, both found nearby and also inside the Mt Field National Park. The Tall Trees walk allows you to appreciate the local swamp gums, also known for being the tallest flowering plant on Earth whilst the Pandani Grove walk loops around Lake Dobson (look out for platypus!) and provides ample opportunity to appreciate the pandani, a tall heath plant that is found nowhere else on the planet.
Lake St Clair
Lake St Clair sits inside the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park and the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area. It is also the birthplace of the Derwent River and the home to a number of campsites, lodges and, most recently, Pumphouse Point, a luxury hotel that started life as a hydroelectric pumphouse.
The lake is a freshwater lake and a quiet afternoon of contemplation on its banks provides an opportunity to view platypus in their natural habitat, as well as many other native animals, including wallabies, wombats and (if you’re very lucky) the odd quoll.
There are a number of short and longer walks in the area, from 45 minutes long, right through to the famous Overland Track, a six to seven-day walk between Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain. Walkers of the Overland Track should be experienced walkers and pack for alpine weather. If not travelling as part of an organised tour, it is also recommended to travel with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and refer to the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife safety in parks guide.
Image credits: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett (Willow Court - former Insane Asylum), Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett (Russell Falls), Stu Gibson (Pumphouse Point)