The town is historically significant for its role in Tasmania's apple-growing industry, earning the Huon Valley the nickname "Golden Valley" due to its production of Golden Delicious apples.[3] While the apple industry has declined, Huonville remains an important agricultural hub, now also known for aquaculture, including salmon farming, and for tourism. The town attracts visitors with its scenic landscape, artisanal food and drink, and outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing.
Huonville has a population of 3,002 according to the 2021 census.[1] It is known for its proximity to the Huon Highway, which connects the town to nearby communities and Hobart, making it a central regional township for transport and trade. The township has historically faced environmental challenges, including vulnerability to floods and bushfires, which have affected the town in recent years. Despite these challenges, Huonville continues to thrive as a hub for eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture, preserving its rural heritage while adapting to modern economic and environmental conditions.[4][5]
History
Grand Hotel, Huonville, 1940s
Before European settlement, the area now known as Huonville and the surrounding Huon Valley was home to the Mellukerdee people, one of the First Nations groups of southern Tasmania. The Mellukerdee people lived along the banks of the Huon River, relying on its rich resources for fishing, hunting, and cultural practices. Their connection to the land and waterways formed an integral part of their spiritual and daily life, and they had deep knowledge of the region’s environment.[6] European colonisation, beginning in the early 19th century, severely disrupted the Mellukerdee way of life, and many were displaced from their lands as British settlers established farming and logging operations in the valley.
European exploration of the Huon River began in 1792, led by Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux during his expedition to search for the missing French explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse. The river was named by d'Entrecasteaux in honour of his second-in-command, Captain Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec. Settlement in the region began in the 1840s, with William and Thomas Walton among the first settlers to establish farms in the fertile valley.[7]
Huonville, initially a smaller settlement, grew around the key bridge crossing the Huon River, which made it a strategic location for transport and trade. While the nearby township of Ranelagh was initially planned as the central settlement, Huonville developed into a bustling centre of the Huon Valley and was officially declared a town in 1891.
Apple production
By the late 19th century, apple growing became the dominant agricultural activity in the Huon Valley. The region’s fertile soils and temperate climate were ideal for growing apples, and Huonville played a central role in processing and distributing the fruit. Throughout the 20th century, the valley became known as the "Apple Bowl of Tasmania", with apples being one of Tasmania’s key exports. At its peak, Huonville and the surrounding areas produced 83% of Tasmania’s apples, and the industry was so prominent that Tasmania earned the nickname "The Apple Isle".[8]
Apple production reached its height in the mid-20th century, when apples were exported globally, particularly to the United Kingdom. However, the industry began to decline in the latter half of the century due to a combination of factors, including changing global trade policies, competition from other apple-producing regions, and a reduction in demand from traditional markets.
Despite the decline, apple orchards remain an important part of the Huon Valley's economy, and Huonville continues to celebrate its apple-growing heritage. The town hosts the annual Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, which includes a traditional “wassailing” ceremony to bless the apple trees, and it has become a centre for boutique cider production in Tasmania.[9]
The town has also faced environmental challenges, including record floods in 2016 and significant bushfires in 2019, which have highlighted the region’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change.[10][11]
Economy
Huonville remains an important hub for agriculture in the Huon Valley, with the apple industry still playing a key role, alongside other fruit crops such as cherries and berries. However, aquaculture, especially salmon farming, has become a major industry in the region. Huon Aquaculture, one of Tasmania's largest salmon producers, operates farms in the nearby Huon River and d'Entrecasteaux Channel.[12]
The town is also emerging as a destination for tourism, particularly for visitors seeking artisan food and wine, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Huonville is situated on the edge of Tasmania's wilderness, making it a popular stop for visitors exploring the region's national parks.[13]
Huonville's demographics reflect its role as a rural hub for the surrounding agricultural areas. The town has experienced modest population growth in recent years, with the population reaching 3,002 at the 2021 census.[1] Including the surrounding rural areas, classified as Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s), the broader population totals 4,579 residents.[1]
The majority of Huonville's residents are of Australian (61.3%) and English (24.7%) ancestry. 7.1% of the population identifies as Aboriginal Australians or Torres Strait Islander, a figure higher than the national average of 3.2%.[1] This trend is common in many regional Tasmanian towns, where Indigenous populations are often more concentrated in rural and regional areas than in major cities.[14]
Nearly half (46.8%) of the population reported no religious affiliation in 2021, while Anglicanism was the most common religion (18.4%). The median age in Huonville was 45 years, significantly higher than the national median of 38, reflecting the older population common in Tasmania’s rural towns.[1]
In 2021, Huonville’s median weekly household income was $1,135, lower than the national median of $1,746, reflecting its rural economy, which is heavily reliant on agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. These industries tend to offer lower wages compared to urban centres.[1] The town’s unemployment rate was 7.2%, slightly higher than the national average of 6.6%.[1]
Huonville has a higher rate of home ownership compared to larger cities, with more affordable property prices attracting families, retirees, and those seeking a rural lifestyle. Its proximity to Hobart, just 38 km to the north, makes it a popular choice for commuters seeking more affordable living conditions while remaining within reach of the capital city.
Climate
Huonville has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), with cool, wet winters and mild, dry summers. The average maximum temperature ranges from 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in February to 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) in July, while the average minimum temperatures range from 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in summer to 2.0 °C (35.6 °F) in winter.[15]
Huonville receives an annual average rainfall of 744.7 millimetres (29.32 in), which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in January 2009 to −7.5 °C (18.5 °F) in June 1972.[2]
Climate data for Huonville (42º58'48"S, 147º04'48"E, 63 m AMSL) (1952-2010 normals and extremes)
Huonville is located 38 km south of Hobart and is primarily accessed via the Huon Highway, which runs through the town and connects it to surrounding regions. The Huon Highway serves as the main arterial road linking Huonville with Hobart to the north and the southern towns of Geeveston, Dover, and Southport to the south.
The highway offers scenic views as it travels through the Huon Valley, crossing the Huon River via a bridge in Huonville, which plays a key role in connecting the town to the west. Several local roads also branch off the Huon Highway, providing access to smaller settlements such as Cygnet, Franklin, and Ranelagh.
Public transport services in the region are limited but are provided by private bus companies, with regular routes running between Huonville and Hobart. These buses cater to both commuters and school students, making the town accessible for those working or studying in Hobart.
Cycling is an increasingly popular mode of transport in the Huon Valley, with the region’s scenic routes attracting both locals and visitors. However, dedicated cycling infrastructure is limited, and cyclists often share the roads with vehicles.
Huonville also serves as a gateway to southern Tasmania’s more remote regions, including Southwest National Park, making it an important stop for tourists exploring Tasmania’s wilderness. The town’s strategic location along the Huon River has historically made it a key transport hub for agricultural products, particularly apples, which were once floated down the river to the ports in Hobart.
Notable people
Amy Sherwin – soprano singer dubbed "The Tasmanian Nightingale"
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