NEW NORFOLK
Where the waters of the Derwent mix with the tide and the mists rise early in winter.
New Norfolk
30 minute drive north-west of Hobart
Tucked away at the northern-most tidal reaches of The Derwent River is New Norfolk, a wee town where the cool air falling from the surrounding highlands mixes with the last vestiges of warmer maritime air to form mists and fogs, the opacity of which is yet unable to truly conceal the inherent beauty of the place.
Arguably the victim of it’s location, north beyond the historically first crossing of the Derwent at Austen’s Ferry, then the bridge at Bridgewater, the crossing at New Norfolk is the first point where one descending the valley from Derwent Bridge gains the option of running to east or west of the river to Hobart; but yet it seems overlooked even for that.
The New Norfolk Hospital is a place that raised the heckles on the back of my neck from the moment I arrived; the psychic energy of the place being all but palpable, and not in a most reassuring kind of way. Here, it seemed to me, was a place where however well intentioned, the treatment of some tormented minds and souls went in some ways, terribly awry.
But even with that, as a process of semi-rural / urban renewal, repurposing of old structures still well sound enough for continued use, and for the nurturing of artists and support of artistic and creative processes, some of these buildings are being refurbished. Others are not, including the main arrivals building, which even though I was unable to approach it any closer than 100 metres, gave off a vibe that gave me The Willies in broad daylight.
There’s much more to New Norfolk I’m sure, and I promise we’ll be back there to explore the place more fully, especially as I’m convinced there’s trout in the waters upstream.
Travel tips
Photography spots
Willow Court
Nurses Quarters
Food & drink