Swimming in the Derwent
Hobart area residents are fortunate in having easy access to a variety of safe, sandy beaches within 20 minutes of the CBD. This is increasingly rare for a capital city and adds greatly to our quality of life.Swimming and other water sports such as small boat sailing, rowing, windsurfing and water-skiing are also enjoyed at sites up and down the estuary.
Water Quality at Derwent Swimming Beaches and Bays
Long-term monitoring of Derwent beaches has shown significant improvements in water quality over the past 20 years.Based on this monitoring most of the Derwent's popular swimming beaches receive either good or fair grades, with the best water quality measured at Taroona, Hinsby and Blackmans Bay beaches followed by Oppossum Bay and Little Sandy Bay (see map).
Water quality is poor at Marieville Esplanade, Cornelian Bay, Lowestoft Bay, Elwick Bay, New Town Bay and Watermans Dock where swimming and other 'full immersion' activities are not recommended. Check our Water Quality page for more information about what the DEP and its partners are doing to manage and improve water quality.
Monitoring and Guidelines
Each summer, water quality is monitored weekly at over 30 sites around Derwent estuary by councils and the State Government. If levels of the bacterial indicator Enterococci exceed a set trigger level, beaches are resampled. If the levels remain high, beaches will be closed and the public notified.What You Can Do
- Pick up after your dog
- Don't feed the ducks and geese
- Be aware of where and when you swim. Avoid swimming in the Derwent for several days after rain and don't swim or allow children to play in or near stormwater drains or urban rivulets.
