Popular for water sports, Tasmania’s Derwent River flows 113 miles (182 kilometers) from Lake St. Clair toward Storm Bay, and shapes the landscape and port of Hobart, situated on an estuary 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the river’s mouth. Along its course, the river cuts through Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park.
The Derwent River is immediately visible when touching down in Hobart, and its clear waters have become a playground for water sports enthusiasts. Visitors can experience Hobart from the water during a yacht sailing excursion on the river, or tackle the Class I-III rapids while whitewater rafting.
For something more laid-back, take a cruise by jet boat or ferry on the Derwent, or cross the water by water taxi. Cruises often go upriver to Moorilla Winery or the Cadbury Factory, or out to Iron Pot Lighthouse near Bruny Island.
The Derwent River flows past Hobart’s central business district, where many boat tours and sailing trips depart from Kings Pier Marina. The portion of the river used for rafting begins near Bushy Park.
The best time to enjoy the River Derwent is from December to February—summer in Australia—when temperatures are warm and rain is scarce.
A total of seven bridges span this Tasmanian River, ranging in size from a footbridge in the aptly named town of Derwent Bridge to the massive Tasman Bridge, a 5-lane bridge near Hobart’s central business district. The New Norfolk Bridge marks the spot where the river transitions from freshwater to saltwater.