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The '''Derwent River''', in [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]], starts from Lake St. Clair in the Central Highlands of the island State and flows approximately 240 km (about 150 miles) south-east to its outfall into Storm Bay. It is tidal up-river as far as about New Norfolk, about 50 km from the mouth. Where the estuary widens is the state capital, [[Hobart]], which occupies both banks, especially the western, for a number of kilometres. At the Port of Hobart, the largest liners can be docked at wharves only a few hundred metres from the Central Business District. (Over the years the U.S. Navy has frequently used the port as an R and R stop-over.)

The '''Derwent River''', in [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]], starts from Lake St. Clair in the Central Highlands of the island State and flows approximately 240 km (about 150 miles) south-east to its outfall into Storm Bay. It is tidal up-river as far as about New Norfolk, about 50 km from the mouth. Where the estuary widens is the state capital, [[Hobart]], which occupies both banks, especially the western, for a number of kilometres. At the Port of Hobart, the largest liners can be docked at wharves only a few hundred metres from the Central Business District. (Over the years the U.S. Navy has frequently used the port as an R and R stop-over.)

The lower Derwent Valley is prime agricultural land, first visited by [[George Bass|Bass]] and [[Matthew Flinders|Flinders]] in 1798 and with settlement beginning within  a year or two of the founding of Hobart in 1803/4. Hops, apples, pears, dairy cattle, fishing, and tourism are the mainstays of the area. In 1941 a paper mill began operating at Boyer, downstream from New Norfolk. Further up, in the Highlands, the river is used as part of Tasmania’s extensive Hydro-Electric system.  

The lower Derwent Valley is prime agricultural land, first visited by [[George Bass|Bass]] and [[Matthew Flinders|Flinders]] in 1798 and with settlement beginning within  a year or two of the founding of Hobart in 1803/4. Hops, apples, pears, dairy cattle, fishing, and tourism are the mainstays of the area. In 1941 a paper mill began operating at Boyer, downstream from New Norfolk. Further up, in the Highlands, the river is used as part of Tasmania's extensive Hydro-Electric system.  

In Hobart itself, a major zinc processing plant has added to pollution already evident from agricultural run-off and the timber industry upstream. Modern pollution minimisation schemes are taking effect.  

In Hobart itself, a major zinc processing plant has added to pollution already evident from agricultural run-off and the timber industry upstream. Modern pollution minimisation schemes are taking effect.