Derwent Estuary Program, Tasmania | Regional partnership between local governments, the Tasmanian state government, commercial & industrial enterprises, & community-based groups to restore & promote our estuary.

“I have found a gulf which I explored on the west-side. Near the head are some plains extending to the foot of a large mountain...” British Captain John Hayes, 1793

Captain Hayes named this ‘gulf’ the River Derwent – which is Celtic for ‘clear water’. Since Captain Hayes’ visit the Derwent has changed and a number of environmental issues now compromise its ‘clear water’. Issues include heavy metal contamination, stormwater pollution and loss of habitat and species.

The Derwent Estuary Program was established in 1999 to restore and promote the Derwent estuary. The Derwent Estuary Program is a partnership between State and Local government, industry and the community.

State of the Derwent Estuary 2015

The Derwent's latest five year check up - State of the Derwent Estuary 2015 is a comprehensive summary of environmental data and management actions focusing on this waterway. Prefer a printed copy (it's free)? Please contact us.

Greater Hobart Trails

In 2010 the Derwent Estuary Program organised a walking tracks forum and the various stakeholders who attended all agreed we needed better ways of letting people know about the fantastic walking and riding opportunities in and around Hobart. Developed by the Derwent Estuary Program in cooperation with local and state government, The Greater Hobart Trails website is the result of those discussions.

Expedition Class ‘Cirque to Sea’

Expedition Class is partnering with the Bookend Trust and the Derwent Estuary Program to deliver it’s major expedition for 2016. ‘Cirque to Sea’ will explore Tasmania’s Derwent River from mountain top right down to the sea. Read more about the program at expeditionclass.com

Seafood safety in the Derwent estuary

The Derwent Estuary Program is working with its partners to raise public awareness about the potential health implications of eating seafood from the Derwent estuary. Read more about Seafood safety in the Derwent estuary.

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Latest news from the DEP

In the March edition of the DEP ebulletin - find out how to register for the Coastal Frontiers conference, learn about the poor state of seagrass in the Derwent and how the DEP partnership works together in a practical way.

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Wed, 22 Mar 2017, 10:00 AM
State of the Derwent 2016

A report card looking at the health of the Derwent has found the condition of the estuary improved in many areas but declined in others in 2015-16. The 2016 State of the Derwent Report Card summarises monitoring data collected by the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) and partners in the area between New Norfolk and the Iron Pot Light.

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Tue, 20 Dec 2016, 11:00 AM
Alum Cliffs track - breath taking in more ways than one

What’s the best direction to walk the Alum Cliffs Track along the Derwent? That’s what I was wondering when a fine afternoon seemed to invite me to try the walk. As I was doing it by myself, a neat solution occurred. I could walk it both ways! That would not only solve the transport issue, it’d give me twice the walk distance.

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Wed, 23 Nov 2016, 5:00 PM

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Restoring and promoting the Derwent estuary

Welcome to the Derwent Estuary Program