Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne

The historic town of New Norfolk, in the Derwent Valley, is the location of the Two Rivers Bicen­tennial Track. The two rivers the track follows are the Lachlan and Derwent Rivers. The track is a gentle circuit walk of approximately six kilome­tres. It’s clearly signed and well maintained.

New Norfolk is a 45 kilometre drive north west of Hobart along the Lyell Highway. There is ample parking in Humphrey Street, where the Two Rivers Bicentennial Track starts at Humphrey Bridge. An information panel at the bridge has a detailed map of the track.

Start the walk at Humphrey Bridge, where the track follows the course of the Humphrey River to the confluence with the Derwent River. Large deciduous trees line the track, framing glimpses of historic buildings. Sev­eral interpretation panels along the track provide insight into New Norfolk’s history.

The attractive Derwent Valley Community Garden is near the track. We were made welcome as we wandered among vegetable beds and admired quirky displays, before returning to follow the track to the sportsgrounds of Tynwald Park.

The track took us from Tynwald Park, to cliffs overlook­ing the Derwent River. This section of the track has panoramic views of the river, New Norfolk and its surrounds. The track circles back to the Lachlan River, with a short walk back to Humphrey Bridge.

Derwent Valley Council is to be commend­ed for its maintenance of the Bicentennial Two Rivers Track and interesting explan­atory boards. We walked in autumn, when deciduous trees were a blaze of colour, but the walk is attractive throughout the year. A return walk is planned in spring to observe seasonal changes.