New Norfolk

Derwent New Norfolk 2.jpg

Arriving in New Norfolk having recently been in Richmond, we were disappointed with what we found. Sure, there were historic sites, but they merged into the surrounding townscape in ways that Richmond and Evandale didn't.

We had three items on the to do list, the Bush Inn, St Matthews Church and Willow Court, but by the time we'd got our bearings we weren't particularly interested in a close look at anything.

With a location on The Avenue, Willow Court sounds impressive enough, but without time to park and investigate more closely, the former nuthouse looked like a semi-impressive structure, and the Bush Inn was obviously still a rather old pub, still operating, but an oh, that's interesting rather than a wow, let's investigate further.

Madam had visions of photographic action along the banks of the Derwent, but when we made our way down to the shore near the former jet boat ride terminal (closed due to issues with public liability insurance) her activities were curtailed by the emergence of a large aggressive dog from some community-related building. The appearance of the canine was almost immediately followed by his notional boss's emergence from what I hypothesized were the club rooms of the Local Dog Obedience Society.

In any case after the minor dramas along the way and the degree of disappointment with New Norfolk, it was ho! For the hinterland as we headed up the Derwent Valley, following Glenora Road through Plenty and Bushy Park, Glenora and Westerway towards Hamlet Downs, just outside Fentonbury.

Hamlet Downs

© Ian Hughes 2012