The Leenowwenne people, among five
Aboriginal tribes in the
Big River district, inhabited the area that is present-day New Norfolk. Aboriginal Tasmanians arrived in Tasmania around 40,000 years ago during the
last glacial period, utilising a
land bridge known as the
Bassian Plain between southern Victoria (from
Wilsons Promontory to
Cape Otway) and the northern Tasmanian shores (from
Cape Portland to
Cape Grim). As the glacial period ended,
rising sea levels submerged the Bassian Plain, forming
Bass Strait, which isolated Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples from mainland Australia for approximately 8,000 years before the arrival of Europeans. In 1793, explorer
John Hayes led the first European exploration of the New Norfolk area, navigating the River Derwent aboard the
Duke of Clarence and the
Duchess of Bengal. When the river became too shallow for his vessels, Hayes rowed to a spot just upstream from the present site of New Norfolk.
Resettlement of Norfolk Islanders Following the closure of the penal settlement on
Norfolk Island, almost half the population of
Norfolk Islanders were relocated to
Van Diemen's Land. Between 29 November 1807 and 2 October 1808, 544 soldiers, convicts and free settlers were relocated to the settlement of present-day New Norfolk. Many of the free Norfolk Islanders were from farming families, offered land grants in Tasmania as compensation for their relocation. The climate was colder than sub-tropical Norfolk Island, which proved a challenge for the hardy pioneers during the first few years, but eventually the district became self-supporting. In 1825 the original name of the town, Elizabeth Town, was changed to New Norfolk in honour of their former home. Many founding folk were "First Fleeters", transferred from Sydney to
Norfolk Island when it was settled just a few weeks after Sydney. Ten First Fleeters are buried in the Methodist Chapel at Lawitta, New Norfolk. Notable is Betty King, née
Elizabeth Thackery, a first fleet convict girl who married at New Norfolk on 28 January 1810. The headstone on Betty's well-tended grave reads, "The first white woman to set foot in Australia" from the First Fleet at Sydney Cove. She is also believed to be the last surviving First Fleeter, male or female, when she died at 89 years of age on 7 August 1856. Her husband was Marine Private Samuel King of the First Marine Regiment, another First Fleeter who arrived aboard the warship "Sirius". Sam King was the last male "First Fleeter" to survive until 21 October 1849, aged 86 years. Nine other First Fleeters were Ellen Guy (née Wainright), James Bryan Cullen, William Dempsey, William Edmunds, William Foyle, Abraham Hand, Stephen Martin, John Ruglass, and Edward Westlake. The pioneers were successful farmers of the rich land around the town. Initially cattle and sheep were predominant, with some cropping as land was cleared.
Hop plants were introduced in 1846, and became an important crop. A number of hop drying kilns or
oast houses remain in the area including those at Glen Derwent (built by Cullen) and Valleyfield.
The Mapleys in New Norfolk Richard Mapley (born 1810) of Great Linford moved to Tasmania in 1845, with his wife Fanny and children Joseph, Joshua, Jane, Sarah, Fanny, Mary Anne, Hannah and Thomas joining him in 1849. They initially settled in Hobart, before moving to New Norwalk/Lachlan up the Derwent River 20 miles from Hobart. New Norfolk, the 3d. planned settlement in Tasmania, had been established in the early 1810's, also known as "The Hills" because of its hills, valleys and gentle streams. The stream "Thames" was renamed "Lachlan" after Governor Macquarie. Richard died there 2 years later in 1851, but his children populated the area to the extent that Mapley Road in Lachlan, 4 km. south of New Norfolk, is named after the early families.
First road in Van Diemen's Land In March 1818, former convict Denis McCarty proposed the construction of a road connecting Hobart Town and New Norfolk to Lieutenant Governor Sorell. This initiative aimed to open up the valley district and facilitate swifter responses to bushranger activities. Initially, McCarty suggested rebuilding a
carriage road from
New Town to
Austins Ferry, extending it to New Norfolk in exchange for a land grant. McCarty sought compensation for the 546 pounds worth of goods lost during bushranger raids by securing the road construction contract. To undertake the project, he requested 15 convicts on government provisions for a year, eight bullocks with a cart, a sleeping tent, and road-making tools. Although McCarty's initial offer was declined, Sorell later reconsidered and invited McCarty to submit a quote for a wide carriage road from Hobart Town to Austin's Ferry and a carriage road to the Falls in New Norfolk. Despite the absence of a formal contract, McCarty proceeded with three additional convicts and of duty-free rum as compensation for the extra labor. The
Hobart Town Gazette observed, 'On Wednesday last, Mr. Dennis McCarty commenced the undertaking, under an agreement with the Government, of opening a road from Hobart Town (via New-town and Austin's farm) to New Norfolk. As this road includes communication with the populous village of New-town and forms the initial ten miles (to the ferry) of the principal road to Port Dalrymple, it is expected to greatly benefit the settlement'. By June 1819, McCarty reported the completion of the road and sought his reward. In response, Governor Sorell appointed a committee of officers, including Major Thomas Bell, Engineer and Inspector of Public Works, Thomas Archer, and George W. Evans, Deputy Surveyor, to survey and assess the road. The committee found the road in poor condition, lacking adequate drainage and culverts, containing numerous tree stumps, and featuring poorly constructed bridges deemed 'impassable for cattle or carts and even dangerous for single horses'.
Willow Court Willow Court, a notable site in New Norfolk, was established in 1827 by Governor
George Arthur as an extension of the New Norfolk Asylum, making it one of Australia’s oldest mental health institutions. Initially constructed to house convicts deemed mentally ill, the facility later expanded its role to care for individuals with mental and intellectual disabilities. The Willow Court compound played a significant role in Australia's mental health care system for over 170 years until its closure in 2000. The site has a complex history, marked by changing attitudes toward mental health care. Conditions at Willow Court, particularly in its earlier years, were often harsh, with patients subjected to outdated and inhumane treatments. Situated outside the town's centre, Willow Court is bound by Humphrey Street to the west, George Street to the north, and the Avenue, as well as the southern-flowing
Lachlan River, a branch of the River Derwent. The site features 23 buildings and landscape elements across approximately . Architecturally, the site features a range of historical buildings, including the Barracks (the original building), which has been preserved. The complex also has later additions built in various architectural styles reflecting the evolving function of the institution. Willow Court operates as a large antiques centre and is home to the 2024 Gourmet Traveller Australian Restaurant of the Year award winner
The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery and Cooking School, founded by Rodney Dunn and Severine Demanet. The Agrarian Kitchen establishment encompasses original buildings with a purpose built wing that houses the cooking school and transformed acres of walled yards from the asylum into a lush kitchen garden. Willow Court is regarded as a heritage site, with ongoing efforts to preserve and redevelop parts of it for tourism, community use, and historical interpretation. The site’s history evokes mixed reactions, as it is a reminder of the darker aspects of mental health treatment but also offers a rich cultural and historical resource. Willow Court is also rumoured to be haunted, and its past has made it a focal point for ghost tours and paranormal investigations.
Terence MacManus For some years after 1848, New Norfolk was the place of exile of the
Irish nationalist leader
Terence MacManus. His cottage "Kilburn Grange" still stands. Later he was joined by his fellow Irish rebel,
William Smith O'Brien, who lived at Elwin's Hotel (now known as Glen Derwent).
Derwent Valley Railway The Derwent Valley Railway, a heritage narrow-gauge railway based in New Norfolk, Tasmania, was originally opened by Tasmanian Government Railways in 1887. The line, initially 18 km from Bridgewater to New Norfolk, was extended multiple times, eventually reaching 74 km to Kallista by 1936, primarily serving rural and logging areas. Traffic increased significantly in 1940 with the opening of the Boyer paper mill. After sections of the line began closing in the mid-20th century, floods in 1995 led to the line’s closure beyond New Norfolk. The Derwent Valley Railway Preservation Society, formed in 1990, reopened parts of the line for heritage passenger trains until 2005, when Pacific National halted operations. The society is currently negotiating to restore tourist train services.
Plaza Theatre In 1932, Mrs. R. M. Hall built the Plaza Theatre on the corner of High and Charles Streets, New Norfolk, for
£A2,200. Her late husband, Mr. P. Hall, had initiated regular film screenings in the area 24 years earlier. After his death, Mrs. Hall continued the business, introducing
sound films. Designed by Hobart architects Rodway and Butler, the brick theatre featured a cantilever verandah and replaced a fifty-year-old wooden structure. The theatre was officially opened by Mr. T. Andrews on 9 December 1932. Originally seating 500 to 600 people, including 165 in the gallery, the theatre's
raked floor provided clear views of the stage, and it was equipped with advanced sound and cinematograph technology. Renovations in 1940 increased seating capacity to 650, but by 1971, it was reduced to 250, with only balcony seating in use. In March 1986, a new projection box was added, along with a side entrance to the auditorium, while the rear stalls and foyer were converted for retail use. By 2016, the building had become a Terry White Chemist.
Boyer Mill The
Boyer Mill, established at nearby
Boyer, is a significant industrial site that has played a major role in the region's economy since its opening in 1941. The mill primarily produces
newsprint and other publication-grade paper. It is notable for being the first mill in the southern hemisphere to manufacture paper from plantation-grown radiata pine, which marked a shift towards using more sustainable, locally sourced raw materials. Boyer's establishment contributed to Tasmania’s industrial growth and provided employment opportunities for the surrounding communities. Over the decades, it has adapted to changes in the paper industry, including modernisation efforts to improve efficiency and environmental sustainability. The mill has been integral in supplying paper for newspapers across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Despite challenges posed by the decline in print media, Boyer continues to operate, focusing on innovation and maintaining its role as a key economic driver in the Derwent Valley. The mill also plays a part in the region's broader vision to develop new industries, such as renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, to ensure long-term sustainability. ==Tourism==