Huon Valley

The Huon Valley, often shortened to the Huon, 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, extensive salmon aquaculture concentrated around Port Huon, 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.

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 in 2024.

Geography

The Huon Valley is situated in the southern part of Tasmania, covering an area of approximately . 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

The Huon Valley was inhabited by the Mouheneenner, Nuenonne, Mellukerdee, and Lyluequonny peoples prior to European settlement. 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Etymology

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.

Government

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.

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

Media

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

* Tasmanian apples
*

References

External links

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

{{Southern Tasmania , state=autocollapse

Valleys of Tasmania