New Norfolk Tasmania
New Norfolk from Pulpit Rock Lookout
New Norfolk
Population:	5,230 (2006)[1]
Postcode:	7140
Coordinates:	42°46′58″S 147°03′34″E / 42.78278°S 147.05944°E / -42.78278; 147.05944Coordinates: 42°46′58″S 147°03′34″E / 42.78278°S 147.05944°E / -42.78278; 147.05944
Location:	35 km (22 mi) from Hobart 38 km (24 mi) from Hamilton 213 km (132 mi) from Queenstown
LGA:	Derwent Valley Council
State District:	Lyons
Federal Division:	Lyons

New Norfolk is a town on the Derwent River, in the south-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-west of Hobart on the Lyell Highway.

The town's pioneers were re-settled from Norfolk Island in 1808. They soon farmed the rich land around the town. Hops were introduced in 1846 and soon became an important crop.^[2]

The town was named Elizabeth Town until 1825 when it became officially known as New Norfolk^[3]

The first road connecting the town to Hobart was built in 1818; the first railway was in 1887. During the 1940s, a newsprint mill was established at nearby Boyer, boosting industry in the local area. The railway is now preserved as the Derwent Valley Railway.

In 1827 the New Norfolk Insane Asylum (later known as the Royal Derwent Hospital)was established. Over the next 173 years it served as one of the largest mental institutions in Tasmania.

For some years after 1848, New Norfolk was the place of exile of the Irish nationalist leader Terence MacManus, where his cottage ("The Grange") still stands. Later he was joined by his fellow Irish rebel William Smith O'Brien.

In 1888 Australia's first telephone trunk call was connected from Hobart to the Bush Inn hotel in New Norfolk.^[2]

[edit] Retail

New Norfolk has many large retailers, including Safeway, Mitre 10.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Population distribution". Government of Tasmania Resource Planning and Development Commission. 2005-05-02. http://www.rpdc.tas.gov.au/soer/indicator/55/index.php. Retrieved 2005-12-19. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Derwent Valley". University of Tasmania. 2006. http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/D/Derwent%20Valley.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-05. 
3. ^ http://www.newnorfolk.org/sites/History_of_New_Norfolk2.shtml

[edit] External links

• http://www.newnorfolk.org has extensive local information, history, photographs, resources and attractions

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