Region
Derwent Valley
Base in New Norfolk for 2 nights; day-trip Mount Field and Maydena. Skip the far dams unless you have a full day and a car.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More: share, save offline, report a correction
Key facts · Australia
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD, A$)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- I · 230 V
- Time zone
- UTC+10 east
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
The Derwent Valley runs northwest from Hobart along the Derwent River: historic New Norfolk, the waterfalls and tall trees of Mount Field National Park, and the gravel-road country beyond Maydena. It is a driving region. New Norfolk is 35–40 minutes from Hobart and works as a base; the far west (Gordon Dam, Scotts Peak) is 2–3 hours further on winding roads and needs its own day.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- New NorfolkGuide: planned
Third-oldest town in Australia; 35–40 min from Hobart, shops, fuel, most beds.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Day trip
- MaydenaGuide: planned
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- New Norfolk 2 nights: Mount Field and Maydena one day, New Norfolk and Salmon Ponds the other
- 3 nights
- New Norfolk 3 nights, adding a full day west to the Styx or a Hydro dam
- Travel times are longer than the map suggests: New Norfolk to Gordon Dam or Scotts Peak Dam is over 2 hours on winding roads, about 3 hours from Hobart.
- Sub-zero temperatures are common in winter; snow on the high country.
- Mobile coverage is patchy or absent west of Maydena. Carry water, food and warm layers.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Field National Park | New Norfolk | 45 min | unknown | Russell Falls is a 20-minute walk from the visitor centre; the Three Falls Track is about 7 km (4.3 mi). Check park entry and shuttle arrangements.Russell Falls is a 20-minute walk from the visitor centre; the Three Falls Track is about 4.3 mi (7 km). Check park entry and shuttle arrangements. |
| Maydena | New Norfolk | 60 min | unknown | Pedal railway and the start of the gravel roads west; check operating days. |
| Hobart | New Norfolk | 40 min | unknown | Daily buses run both ways; check the last service. |
Bags between cities
No luggage forwarding here; you drive your own bags. Leave big cases at your Hobart hotel if you are only staying a night or two.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (country-wide) | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derwent ValleyNew Norfolk to Maydena and the high country | best | best | ok | ok | cool | cool | cold | cold | ok | ok | best | best |
- Derwent Valley
- Cool temperate. Summer days around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); winter nights often below 0 °C (32 °F). Rain any month; the west is wetter.Cool temperate. Summer days around 68–77 °F (20–25 °C); winter nights often below 32 °F (0 °C). Rain any month; the west is wetter.
Late spring to early autumn (Nov–Apr) suits walking and driving. Winter is for waterfalls at full flow and snow on the peaks, with shorter daylight.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | New Norfolk | Drive via the Lyell Highway (A10) and B62 | ~40 min | The usual approach; a car makes the rest of the region reachable. |
| Hobart | New Norfolk | Daily bus | ~50 min | Buses continue beyond New Norfolk; check times, as services are limited. |
| Hobart airport (HBA) | New Norfolk | Drive | ~55 min | Pick up a rental car at the airport; choice is better there than in the valley. |
Regional passes
Tasmanian national parks pass
checkMount Field is a national park; a parks pass is needed for entry. Buy per vehicle or per person depending on your trip — check current prices.
Public transport
skipBuses reach New Norfolk but not the parks or dams; a car is the practical option.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Local produce and orchard fruit | New Norfolk and the valley farms | Cherries, stone fruit, berries and apples in season; farm gates and shops in town. |
| Cool-climate wine | Derwent Valley vineyards | Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling are the local specialities; several cellar doors, check opening days. |
| Single malt whisky | New Norfolk area | A distillery in the district; book tastings ahead. |
| Pub and cafe lunches | New Norfolk | Similar to other small Tasmanian towns; most kitchens close by mid-afternoon. |
Go next
Greater Hobart
plannedDrive ~40 min southeast
The default next stop; MONA and the city.
Huon and Far South
plannedDrive via Hobart, ~1 h 30
Orchards, cider and the road to Cockle Creek.
Western Tasmania
Lyell Highway west, 3 h+
Continue to Queenstown and Strahan; long, winding drive.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Day trips
- 3, 40 min to 1 h
- Nights suggested
- 2–3 nights
- Ways in
- 3 listed
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source