Huon Valley

Valley in Tasmania, Australia

This article is about the geographic area. For the local government area, see Huon Valley Council.

Huon Valley

Apple Valley, Golden Valley, Huon

Sleeping Beauty vista in the Huon Valley

Huon Valley

Location of the Huon Valley in Tasmania

Area| 5,500 km2 (2,100 sq mi)
Geography
Location| Tasmania, Australia
Population centers| Huonville, Geeveston, Franklin, Cygnet, Southport
Coordinates| 43°07′S 147°10′E﻿ / ﻿43.12°S 147.16°E﻿ / -43.12; 147.16
Rivers| Huon River, Arve River

The Huon Valley, often shortened to the Huon,[1] is a rural region and river valley in southern Tasmania, Australia. Centred on the lower reaches of the Huon River, it was historically renowned for its apple orchards. Today the valley’s economy also features high‑value cherry production,[2] extensive salmon aquaculture concentrated around Port Huon,[3] and a growing visitor economy. The valley’s apple heritage is celebrated through events such as the Huon Valley Mid‑Winter Festival and local “Apple Queen” traditions.[4][5]

Huonville is the commercial centre, with smaller settlements lining the river and its tributaries. The area is administered by the Huon Valley Council, whose boundaries extend south to Southport (Australia’s southernmost permanent settlement) and encompass an estimated population of 19,454 in 2024.[6]

## Geography

[edit]

The Huon Valley is situated in the southern part of Tasmania, covering an area of approximately 5,500 km2 (2,100 sq mi). The valley is dominated by the Huon River, which flows through its centre and supports a variety of agricultural activities. The Arve River, a tributary of the Huon, also flows through the valley. The valley is surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and mountains, including parts of the Southwest National Park, making it a scenic and ecologically important region.

The Huon Valley includes several small townships, the largest being Huonville, which serves as the central hub for commerce and services. Other notable towns include Geeveston, a gateway to the Tahune Airwalk, and Cygnet, known for its arts and cultural scene.

## History

[edit]

### Palawa history

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The Huon Valley area lies within the traditional lands of the Mellukerdee,[7] who maintained strong kinship and language ties with the neighbouring Muwinina (Hobart area), Nuenonne (Bruny Island) and Lyluequonny (Recherche Bay) groups.[8][9] Together, these groups form the South-East nations, and shared seasonal access to the Huon Valley region, gathering for resources, trade, and ceremony under customary protocols of reciprocal custodianship.[8][10]

### British settlement

[edit]

The valley was first settled by Europeans in the early 1820s. Thomas Judd planted the first apple trees in 1843, marking the beginning of the region’s apple-growing industry. Other settlers, such as William Geeves, after whom Geeveston is named, followed suit, contributing to the development of the valley’s agricultural landscape.[11]

The Huon Valley gained fame as Tasmania's "Apple Valley" due to its prolific apple production. In the mid-20th century, it was one of the most important apple-producing areas in Australia, with much of its produce exported internationally. While Tasmanian apple production has declined, it remains a key industry, along with cherry, berry, and stone fruit farming.

## Economy

[edit]

See also: Tasmanian apples

The Huon Valley has a diverse economy, with major industries including agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and tourism. Agriculture, particularly apple growing, remains central to the valley’s identity, with 83% of Tasmanian apples originating from the area.[12]

The valley is also home to Tasmania’s largest salmon farming operations, with Huon Aquaculture and Tassal having significant facilities in the region. Salmon farming is a major economic contributor, though it has also raised environmental concerns in recent years.[13]

The tourism industry is growing, with visitors attracted to the natural beauty of the region, the Tahune Airwalk, and the Huon River. Eco-tourism activities such as hiking, river cruises, and wildlife tours are becoming increasingly popular. Approximately 25% of Tasmania's tourists visit the Huon Valley.[14]

In 2020, the gross regional product of the Huon Valley was estimated at $0.71 billion, with the largest employment sectors being agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, healthcare, and retail.[15]

Huon Valley panorama from Scenic Hill

## Etymology

[edit]

The Huon Valley, along with its local government authority, several towns, the Huon River, and the Huon Pine, were named after Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, a French Navy officer and explorer who visited Tasmania as part of Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's expedition in the 1790s.[16]

## Government

[edit]

The Huon Valley is governed by the Huon Valley Council, which was formed in 1993 through the merger of the municipalities of Port Cygnet, Esperance, and Huon. The council administers the region, including overseeing local services and planning.[17]

The valley falls within the Commonwealth Division of Franklin and the Tasmanian House of Assembly State Division of Franklin.[18]

## Media

[edit]

The Huon Valley is served by several local media outlets. The Huon News is a weekly newspaper providing news and events coverage, while Cygnet & Channel Classifieds is a small newsletter serving local communities. The valley is also home to radio stations such as Pulse FM Kingborough and Huon and Huon & Kingston FM, a community radio station based in Geeveston. Historically, the region was served by the Huon Times, which ceased publication in 1942.

## See also

[edit]

* Australia portal
* Environment portal

* Tasmanian apples
* List of valleys of Australia § Tasmania

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Brooks, comp. by Maureen; Centre, Joan Ritchie at the Australian National Dictionary (1995). Oxford Tassie terms: a glossary of Tasmanian words. Melbourne [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Pr. ISBN 0195538129.
2. ^ Breen, Fiona (24 January 2025). "TikTok's increasing role in revolutionising Tasmanian cherry sales". ABC News. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
3. ^ Gibson, Jano (26 April 2025). "Economic saviour or environmental problem? Tasmania's Huon community divided over salmon farming". ABC News. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
4. ^ Barrington, Angela (22 April 2021). "Apple Queens of the Huon". The Huon Valley. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
5. ^ Jaggers, Sophie (8 April 2024). "What happens to Tasmania when Dark Mofo and other winter festivals are cancelled?". ABC News. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
6. ^ "TasPOPP 2024 Final Report" (PDF). Department of Treasury and Finance. p. 17. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
7. ^ "Heritage of the Huon Valley" (PDF). Huon Valley Council. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
8. ^ a b "Aboriginal History". Botanical Gardens Tasmania. Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
9. ^ Berk, Christopher D. (January 2017). "Palawa Kani and the Value of Language in Aboriginal Tasmania". Oceania. 87 (1): 2–20\. doi:10.1002/ocea.5148.
10. ^ Ryan, Lyndall (2012). "Tasmanian Aborigines: A History Since 1803". Allen & Unwin. Crows Nest, NSW: 5–8.
11. ^ "The Wonderful Huon". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 12 March 1930. p. 8. Retrieved 23 March 2015 - via National Library of Australia.
12. ^ "Fruit Growers Tasmania – INDUSTRY INFORMATION". Fruit Growers Tasmania Inc. Archived from the original on 21 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
13. ^ "How Huon Aquaculture netted a fortune from salmon". Financial Review. 17 October 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
14. ^ "Huon Valley Regional Tourism Strategy 2009 – 2012" (PDF). Huon Valley Council. Huon Valley Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
15. ^ "Huon Valley Council Area". economy.id.com.au. State Growth Tasmania. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
16. ^ "Huon". electoral.tas.gov.au. Electoral Council of Tasmania. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
17. ^ "ESPERANCE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". Archives Tasmania. Archives Tasmania. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
18. ^ "TASMANIAN HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DIVISIONS" (PDF). Electoral Commission of Tasmania. Electoral Commission of Tasmania. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* Huon Valley Council's guide to Huon Valley attractions, events, accommodation etc

* v
* t
* e

Southern region of Tasmania, Australia

Settlements|

* Hobart
* List of Hobart suburbs

* Adventure Bay
* Alonnah
* Barnes Bay
* Castle Forbes Bay
* Cockle Creek
* Cygnet
* Dennes Point
* Dover
* Electrona
* Franklin
* Geeveston
* Glen Huon
* Grove
* Howden
* Huonville
* Kellevie
* Kettering
* Lunawanna
* Magra
* Margate
* Mountain River
* New Norfolk
* Oyster Cove
* Ranelagh
* Sandfly
* Snug
* Southport
* Westerway
* Woodbridge

Governance|

* Clark (federal)
* Franklin (federal)
* Clark (state)
* Franklin (state)
* Huon Valley Council
* Kingborough Council

* Buckingham
* Elwick
* Huon
* Nelson
* Pembroke
* Rumney

Mountains|

* Arthur Range
* Federation Peak
* Hartz
* Meehan
* Flagstaff Hill
* Gunners Quoin
* Mount Direction
* Wellington
* kriwalayti / Mount Nelson
* kunanyi / Wellington

Protected areas,
parks and reserves|

* East Risdon State Reserve
* Hartz Mountains National Park
* Hastings Caves State Reserve
* Port Cygnet Conservation Area
* South Bruny National Park
* South-east Tasmania Important Bird Area
* Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Rivers|

* Arve
* Derwent
* Garden Island Creek
* Huon
* Styx

Harbours, bays,
inlets and estuaries|

* Adventure Bay
* Barnes Bay
* Cloudy Bay
* D'Entrecasteaux Channel
* North-West Bay
* Pitt Water
* Recherche Bay
* Storm Bay

Coastal features|

* South Coast
* South East Cape

Transport|

* Bruny Island Ferry
* Channel Highway
* Ida Bay Railway
* Sandfly Colliery Tramway
* South Line
* Westerway railway station

Landmarks|

| Natural|

* Coal River Valley
* Derwent Valley
* Huon Valley
* Styx Valley
* Upper Florentine Valley
* Weld Valley

|

Man-made|

* Buckland Military Training Area
* Cape Bruny Lighthouse
* South Coast Track
* Tahune AirWalk

Islands|

* Boomer
* Bruny
* Eddystone
* Egg
* Friars
* Garden
* Green
* Hope
* Images
* Nuggets
* Partridge
* Pedra Branca
* Picnic
* Satellite

Books and newspapers|

* Tasmania's offshore islands
* The Mercury

Flora, fauna, and fishlife|

* Centurion
* Triarius

Bioregions|

* South East (bioregion)
* Southern Ranges (bioregion)

Indigenous heritage|

* Bruny Island language
* Truganini

Other|

* Cygnet Folk Festival

* Category

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