Mayor says visitors now a key driver for region
New Norfolk in June, has been an instant success and visitor numbers at Mt Field National Park are growing rapidly.
Maydena Bike Park is expected to bring thousands of people to the region when it opens in January next year, and the return of trains to the Derwent Valley Railway appears to be edging closer.
Cr Evans said tourism was becoming a “new driver” in the Derwent Valley.
“There’s been a change over the past 20 years from forest and industry and institutions that basically looked after the region,” Cr Evans said.
“Now it’s all changed around to tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, heritage tourism.
“Tourism is definitely on the rise, and I think it will be the backbone going forward for our Derwent Valley for years to come.”
Mrs Grimley, who also owns luxury New Norfolk hotel Woodbridge on the Derwent with her husband, said the River Derwent was the perfect place for glamping.
“John and I have travelled every year since 1969 ... and we commented to each other in 2003 that this valley is as beautiful as anything we’ve seen anywhere in the world,” she said. “Not only is it visually spectacular, but there are so many top destinations and activities for guests to do.
“[They] can go to Mt Field and Russell Falls, they can go up to Ratho [Farm], they can go across to distilleries, they’ve got all the wineries, they’ve got Two Metre Tall Brewery, they’ve got the Salmon Ponds ... we’ve got kayaking on the river, there’s just so much for them to do.”
Cr Evans hoped the Derwent Valley could continue to capitalise on those activities.
“I’ll call it Tasmania’s adventure playground. It will be into the future,” he said.
“[People can] come here and experience the natural attractions and ride bikes and hopefully a train one day will be another add-on to that list of experiences.
“Instead of a visit where you drive up to National Park or the Esplanade and stay for few hours, you’ll come here and stay for days, because there’s that many things to do and see.”