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Tyenna Peak is 1200 metres high.
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
The general store at Maydena
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
Mt Jubilee looks down on the Styx.
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
Fern grove in the Styx Forest
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
The mysterious River Styx
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
This fallen giant is 80 metres long.
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
The Big Tree is 400 years old and...
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
...87 metres to the canopy above.
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region
Derwent River near Macquarie Plains
Maydena
Derwent Valley Region

Main photo gallery is below Information.

MAYDENA

Styx Forest & Derwent River

SMALL PHOTO & INFORMATION PAGE

MAYDENA is a mountain hamlet in central Tasmania. It is close to a number of easy to access spectacular sights. The famous STYX Forest, the TYENNA River, which is famous for its trout fishing, as well as the JUNEE Cave are easy drives from Maydena. There is also a railway pedal car hire at Maydena. The beautiful LAKE PEDDER and the spectacular GORDON DAM are an hour drive from Maydena. Just south of Maydena is the famous STYX RIVER Valley, where there are some of the largest trees in Tasmania. There is some accommodation and a shop at Maydena. The nearest large town is New Norfolk.

Maydena is west of the Mt FIELD National Park and east of STRATHGORDON and LAKE PEDDER. Driving from Maydena on the B61 Gordon River Road, you are 10 minutes from the Mt FIELD National Park entrance and 30 minutes from NEW NORFOLK .You are 60 minutes from STRATHGORDON. Nearby places are described in the DERWENT RIVER VALLEY REGION page.


View Region Derwent Valley in a larger map

FACILITIES: There is a general store at Maydena, but the nearest petrol pump is at Westerway. The nearest large shopping precinct is at NEW NORFOLK. There is some accommodation at MAYDENA and much accommodation at NEW NORFOLK.

TOURIST information on the ADVENTURE WALKS in this area telephone (03) 6288 2210 or 0400 786 327 or the Internet contact is www.southwestadventurebase.com.au

For the EAGLE'S EYRIE ADVENTURE, which includes a variety of activities, the telephone number is 1300 720 507 or the Internet contact is www.adventureforests.com.au

SIGHTS: Maydena is on the TYENNA RIVER, which is famous for its trout fishing. There are also some first class mountain bike trails and bicycle shops. Just south of Maydena is the STYX RIVER Valley, which has some of the tallest trees in Tasmania. It is also fairly close to the great lakes of the west, including Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon. The beautiful, old Derwent River Valley, which is east of Maydena also has many attractions. The attractions in Maydena include the;

ROUTE: Maydena is on the B61 Gordon River Road. It is just west of Mt FIELD between NEW NORFOLK and STRATHGORDON.

A gravel road just west of Maydena takes you south to the Big Tree and the Tall Tree Reserves of the Styx Forest. This road begins on the north side of the B61 Gordon River Road. Strangely this road then turns south and crosses under the main B61 Gordon River Road. It then heads down to the Styx Forest. Drivers should be wary of large logging trucks using this road.

The Derwent River Valley tour starts in New Norfolk and heads west on B61 to Bushy Park and Glenora. At Glenora return to Bushy Park and cross the Derwent River at Macquarie Plains. Then drive north to reach the A10 Lyell Highway. Follow it south east through Rosegarland and Hayes to return to New Norfolk.

To LARGER MAYDENA PHOTOS

  • STYX FOREST
  • Maydena
  • Derwent Valley

 

Styx River in Central Tasmania

1/ The Styx Forest is in Central Tasmania south of Maydena in the Derwent River Valley district. It is the home to some of the largest trees in the world. The area in 2014 was still the scene of a major battle between loggers and conservationists. The photos in this essay were taken in the Big Tree Reserve. This photo shows the River Styx and the typical vegetation of the beautiful Styx Valley.

Styx Forest in Central Tasmania

2/ The road to the reserves is a gravel road, but in 2014 it was in good condition and suitable to normal cars. Visitors should be wary of large logging trucks suddenly appearing on this road. The Styx Valley is surrounded by beautiful mountains. This photo shows the road and a forest giant towering over the trees of average height.

map of the Styx area

3/ The dark green areas are the reserves. The light green areas are still being logged. Conservationists want these logged areas to be allowed to regenerate into the awesome forests that they once were. It takes 300 years for a logged area to fully recover.

Mt Jubilee seen from the Styx River Valley

4/ Mount Jubilee towers down on the Styx Forest in this view through a gap in this regrowth forest area.

logged area in the Styx River Valley

5/ This photo shows the devastation of a recently logged area. Behind it are some of the beautiful mountains that tower around the Styx Forest. The white streaks on this mountain are from snow that fell in November, which is in the Tasmanian spring

Styx Forest in Central Tasmania

6/ The Styx Forest is a plethora of life. It consists of some giant eucalyptus trees, plus myrtle, sassafras and dogwood trees and towering manferns.

Styx Forest in Central Tasmania

7/ There are large numbers of fallen giant trees on the forest floor. This one was blocking the path. The sawn gap was over 2 metres high. These manferns are about 4 metres high.

Styx Forest in Central Tasmania

8/ The Styx Forest includes many beautiful groves of large manferns. Walking through a beautiful fern grove is a truly mystical experience.

Styx Forest in Central Tasmania

9/ This is not a path. This is a fallen giant tree that virtually makes a path through the forest. It was about 3 metres wide and about 80 metres long. It is only when the giants fall that you can fully appreciate their size

Styx Forest in Central Tasmania

10/ This photo shows the base of the Big Tree, which is the largest in this area. This giant is 87 metres high. It is about 400 years old. There are many other trees of a similar height in this area.

giant tree in the Styx Forest

11/ This is the view up to the canopy of this forest giant. It is a massive 87 metres to the top. Notice how it towers over the nearby trees.

Styx River in Central Tasmania

12/ The Styx River is named after the river of the dead in the ancient Greek myth. The river is a very lonely, serene and beautiful place.

Styx River in Central Tasmania

13/ This photo shows another view of the beautiful and mysterious Styx River. The ancient name "Styx" is quite appropriate, because you really are in a very enchanting place, while you walk in this forest.

 

Maydena in the Styx River Valley

1/ Maydena is a hamlet in the Tyenna River Valley of Central Tasmania. There is only accommodation and a general store at Maydena. The access to the Styx River Valley is from a gravel road just west of Maydena. This photo shows the general store at Maydena.

Tyenna Peak near Maydena

2/ Tyenna Peak towers over the northern horizon of Maydena. It is over 1200 metres high. The whole Styx River Valley is surrounded by mountains.

mountains west of Maydena

3/ This is the view of the mountains to the west of Maydena.

main street of Maydena

4/ This is the main street of Maydena looking towards the east. It was taken from near the General Store.

railway station at Maydena

5/ This is Maydena Railway Station. It is decades since trains ran on this railway line. However, a hand rail car amusement now operates from this station.

hand powered rail cars at Maydena

6/ These are some of the hand rail cars that you can hire at Maydena Station. The telephone contact numbers are 0427 206 864 and 0487 619 112.

Railway Station at Westerway

7/ This is the old Westerway Railway Station. Even though trains have not used it for 50 years, it is still in good condition.

 

Derwent River near Bushy Park

1/ The Derwent River Valley has many beautiful and interesting things to see. You can do a car tour from New Norfolk on the B62 Road, which runs south of the River Derwent, to Bushy Park and Glenora. You then return to Bushy Park and turn north to Macquarie Plains. You then cross the River Derwent and join the A10 Lyell Highway. You now drive south east through Rosegarland and Hayes to return to New Norfolk.

hops near Bushy Park

2/ The Derwent River Valley is dominated by hops fields. Hops are used to brew beer and Tasmania has two famous brands in Boags and Cascades. Hops have been grown in this area for nearly two centuries.

hops factory near Bushy Park

3/ This is an ancient, hops, processing factory near Bushy Park. Notice the water wheel to the right. This once provided the motive power for the factory.

store near Bushy Park

4/ This is an interesting, old, hops store house near Bushy Park. I have not seen a building like it in Tasmania.

Glenora Valley

5/ This is the view of hops fields near Glenora. This photo is looking towards the south east.

Glenora Valley

6/ This is a long range view to the south east towards Glenora. This is the largest town in this area.

Derwent River near Macquarie Plains

7/ This is the peaceful River Derwent near Macquarie Plains. This view looks towards the north.

St Augustines at Macquarie Plains

8/ This is the lovely church of St Augustines at Macquarie Plains. It was built in 1904 and is sited next to the River Derwent, which has flooded it on two occasions.

St Augustines at Macquarie Plains

9/ St Augustines is constructed out of local timber. It is an elegant, but unusual shape.

St Augustines at Macquarie Plains

10/ I was most impressed by the lovely, wooden panels that decorate the interior of St Augustines. The panels showed both great skill and good artistic judgement.

St Augustines at Macquarie Plains

11/ St Augustines also has two lovely stain glass windows, which I have combined them together in this view. The church is being maintained by some dedicated volunteers. They really need help to maintain their beautiful church.

Derwent Valley

12/ This is the view of the beautiful Derwent River Valley looking south from a lookout north of the River Derwent near Rosegarland.

hop factory near Hayes

13/ This is an abandoned hop factory near Hayes. There are a number of these unique, ancient buildings in the Derwent River Valley.

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