Huon Valley

The Huon Valley runs south from Hobart along the Huon River, and for much of the twentieth century it grew the apples that made Tasmania the Apple Isle, exporting to Britain until European trade arrangements ended the market in the 1970s. Orchards remain, along with cider makers, and the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest each July revives wassailing traditions with fire and cider. The valley also gave its name to huon pine, a slow-growing timber prized for boatbuilding, worked at the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin where traditional boats are still built. Towns include Huonville, Cygnet with an arts scene, and Geeveston at the forest edge.

History

The valley lies in the lands of the Mellukerdee, linked by kinship and language with neighbouring peoples of the south-east, and the river, the valley and the Huon pine are named after Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, an officer of Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's expedition of the 1790s. Europeans settled in the early 1820s, splitting timber and growing potatoes traded down the river to Hobart, Huon pine was cut for shipbuilding until its stands were exhausted, shipbuilding flourished in the 1860s and 1870s, and by the early 20th century the Huon grew more than half of Tasmania's apples, shipped interstate from Port Huon and Cygnet (Wikipedia, Huon Valley).

What's there

• The orchards and cider - apple growing and cider makers through the valley.
• The Wooden Boat Centre - traditional boatbuilding in huon pine at Franklin.
• The Mid-Winter Fest - the July wassailing and cider festival.
• The river towns - Huonville, Franklin, Cygnet and Geeveston.

When to go

October to April for the warmest weather, with apple harvest in autumn; the Mid-Winter Fest in July is the valley's biggest event and books out accommodation. Winter is cold and wet but atmospheric.

Before you go

The valley is spread out and needs a car. Many producers open only on weekends or in season. The apple industry is much reduced from its peak, and some visitors expect more orchards than remain.

Nearby

Hobart lies north; Hastings Caves and the far south are further down the highway.

Key facts