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The historic heart of Tasmania provides the rich scenery of the Rivers Run Touring Route. Capitalise on the landscape of tranquil riverscapes, rolling hills and fertile valleys in a prestige Overdrive vehicle. Follow the Derwent River through rugged mountain wilderness to its source; the magnificent Lake St. Clair. The vast range of activities available along the Derwent will give you a sense of the grandeur of Tasmania’s great outdoors. Walk among towering trees, hook a trout from Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake or experience the thrill of a jet boat ride through the river’s rapids and along its more tranquil reaches.
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From New Norfolk, take in the picturesque Heritage and Nature Trail in style in your prestige Overdrive vehicle, travelling from the fertile Derwent Valley through the tiny hamlets of Bushy Park, Plentyand Westerway up into the mountains to Mt Field National Park, and beyond to rugged Maydena and the Styx Valley. Select how far west you want to head according to your interests and time available. Near Plenty, stop by Kinvarra Estate Wines’ cellar door to taste its range and also to sample the estate’s own free-range beef, which you can barbecue yourself at the facilities provided by the property. The Tyenna River is home to trophy-sized trout and see the famous Tasmanian devils at Something Wild wildlife sanctuary en route to Mt Field. One of the State’s oldest and best-loved national parks, Mt Field offers easy access to some of the wild beauty of Tasmania. It is only a short walk through the ferns and rainforest to the much-photographed spectacular Russell Falls and Lady Barron Falls. Stride along the Tall Trees Walk and be awed by some of the forest giants. If time permits, head deep into mountain country to Lake Dobson and the striking Pandani Grove Walk. Alternatively, head to Maydena and the Styx Valley to marvel at the tallest hardwood trees in the world, which can be found in a tiny reserve – the Big Tree Reserve – in the Styx Valley near Maydena. Rainforests flourish in the Florentine and other nearby valleys. Experience a wet myrtle forest on the Creepy-Crawly Walk. Before you leave, savour the unforgettable scenery of Lake Pedder and the south-west wilderness World Heritage Area. |
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Take a leisurely drive in your Overdrive hire car through farming country to the classified historic township of Hamilton, a centre of government in the early colonial period. The streetscape contains many Georgian buildings still intact and in use today as accommodation, craft galleries or restaurants. The luxuriant garden at the heritage-listed Prospect Villa is a mixture of English and Italianate styles protected by 170-year-old stone walls and clipped Historic Hamilton hedges. Tours of the restored Georgian villa are available. Drop into the Art and Craft Gallery and Garden Tearooms at historic Glen Clyde House for either a warm fireside meal in the cooler months or a pleasant alfresco lunch or refreshments in the warmer weather. The host property Over the Back at Hamilton is an excellent place to see the activities of a genuine Australian sheep farm first hand (contact the proprietors in advance to arrange) and also the place to sample the famous Sweetheart Cake baked for the Danish royal wedding. A short distance away, stop to explore the classified historic town of Bothwell, settled in the 1820s and still retaining its early 19th century ambience. This is a great opportunity to stretch your legs, collect a town map and walk the broad streets to view 53 buildings classified by the National Trust. Most were built by convicts and feature explanatory plaques. At Bothwell golf lovers can enjoy a round of golf at Ratho, Australia’s oldest golf course, where the original Scottish owners of the property first played in 1839 using wooden clubs and ‘wood featheries’ (feather-stuffed balls). The Australasian Museum of Golf at Ratho is a significant private collection of golf memorabilia – another fascinating drawcard for golfing enthusiasts. |
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Travel
the highlands loop trail up through the Central Highlands of Tasmania
to Waddamana, Miena, Bronte Park and the Great Lakes district.
This is where avid fly fishermen from around the world come to
cast for wild brown trout in the myriad of lakes and tarns of the
region. The trout fishing season commences in August, so it is
possible then to try your hand at fly fishing in one of the many
streams and lakes world renowned for fishing in this beautiful ‘high
country’ – Great Lake, Arthurs Lake, Lake Echo or Bradys
Lake. Take fly fishing lessons from a professional trout guide or use
their accredited guides to help you land a “big one”, but
it is necessary to book through Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania. Lake
St.Clair, a grand natural lake at the southern end of the famous Overland
Track in the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, is
Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake, stretching more
than 17km in the heart of the World Heritage Area. Consider taking
a refreshing cruise on the lake with Australia’s highest ferry
service. Ranger-guided walks are available in the summer season.
You can take one of a number of short walks around the lake after
calling in to the Parks and Wildlife Visitor Centre for interpretation
and bushwalking advice and information. If you are not travelling to the West Coast and Strahan or Queenstown,
head back south via the alternative route that allows you to marvel
at the hydro power schemes and the engineering genius encompassed in
their design and operation. Set amidst dramatically steep river gorges,
the highland |
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