History The Derwent Valley is genuinely fascinating.The richness and variety of the historic buildings of New Norfolk and Hamilton, the glorious river drives, the old oast houses and the gentle undulations of the countryside on either side of the Derwent River make this one of the most attractive areas in the whole of Tasmania. Mercifully the area has not been over-developed and it is still possible to have a drink in the 1815 Bush Inn,sleep luxuriously in the convict built 1825 Woodbridge on the Derwent, dine at the 1870 Verandahs in the Valley restaurant, wander through the old Oast House, visit the historic asylum which predates Port Arthur,feed the fish at the Salmon Ponds, walk along the banks of the river past the convict built remains of the first bridge over the Derwent, or inspect the beautiful stained glass windows in Tasmania's oldest church, The Anglican Church of St Matthew.

Located 37 km north of Hobart and 30m above sea level, New Norfolk is one of the largest centres in Tasmania. The town site was first explored by Europeans in 1793 when Lieutenant John Hayes sailed up the Derwent River and, when the river became too shallow, proceeded to row to a point just upstream from the present site of New Norfolk.

In 1811 the erstwhile convict McCarty (in fairness he was a political prisoner not a common criminal) played host to Governor Lachlan Macquarie when he visited the area. Macquarie was so impressed with the gentle undulating countryside and the fertile soil that he established a township which he named Elizabeth Town, after his wife. The name continued to be used from 1811-1825 when the local settlers changed it to New Norfolk.

The Derwent Valley has a distinctly English character and some of the oldest homes in Australia. Until relatively recent times, the area was dominated by the hop-growing industry. New Norfolk still produces the majority of hops used by Australian breweries.The Derwent River is narrower and tree-lined at New Norfolk, and pursuits such as rafting, kayaking, fishing and water skiing are popular.

The valley's history's is not confined to buildings. Tasmanian rail enthusiasts have not only restored carriages and engines, steam and diesel, but actually run excursions with paying customers. One of these groups is based in the Derwent Valley. Derwent Valley Railways run every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month between New Norfolk and National Park. The carriages are luxury from a bygone age, built in Launceston in the 1950's There's a plethora of volunteers on the job - station masters, guards, drivers and signal men at each level crossing. There's even a buffet car serving morning tea for the passengers - all of which give their time free of charge and all for the love of a bygone era in travel.

The train snakes its way through fields and forests and over narrow bridges that defy belief - creating an impression of being suspended in mid-air as the loco hauls the carriages across the Derwent