Plenty and the Salmon Ponds

In Plenty, the Salmon Ponds shape the way visitors see the area: trout farming, nature and history come together here. Dating back to around 1861, the Salmon Ponds are the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere and the birthplace of trout farming in Australia. Visitors can observe fish at every stage of development—from young fish to mature brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and Atlantic salmon. A visit thus combines a long history with a close-up look at how the fish develop.

Trout history in cottages and along the Riverside Walk

The buildings also tell the story of fishing. The Museum of Trout Fishing is housed in the cottage built in 1865 for the first manager of the Salmon Ponds. Stannards Cottage houses the Tasmanian Angling Hall of Fame. Along the Riverside Walk is “The Sanctuary”, a restored hut furnished as a fishing hut from the pioneering era of Tasmanian trout fishing. These connections show different sides of the subject: a cottage and its construction history, the Hall of Fame, and the historical role of a fishing hut. Anyone interested in the development of fishing will find more than a single date here—the history is also made tangible through the buildings and how they were used.

Gardens and wildlife watching

The Salmon Ponds are also a rare example of a 19th-century English-style public open space. A significant number of the trees at the Salmon Ponds are 140 years old. This adds a garden perspective to the visit, alongside trout farming and angling history. Depending on what interests you, the focus can be on how the fish develop, the historical connections or the design of the open space.

Visitors interested in wildlife may be able to spot wild platypuses from the surrounding area. Sightings are not guaranteed, however, so plan for one as a possibility rather than a fixed part of your itinerary.

Fishing on the Plenty River and regional cuisine

The Plenty River offers a different focus. From New Norfolk, it can be reached via the B62 or C610; the C610 leads to the middle and upper reaches of the river. All fishing methods are permitted on the Plenty River. As fishing regulations can change, check the current rules before planning a fishing trip. This lets you consider fishing on the river as a separate part of your trip planning, distinct from the trout farming, gardens and history at the Salmon Ponds.

One culinary highlight is Pancakes by the Ponds, which specialises in savoury and sweet crêpes made in the traditional European style. As the menu may change, check the current selection before your visit if you have a particular interest.

Plenty as a base for your stay

When choosing a holiday rental in Plenty, you can start by considering these different interests. First decide whether the Salmon Ponds—with their trout farming, cottages and gardens—will be the focus of your plans, or whether fishing on the Plenty River will also be part of your stay. If the river is important to your plans, factor the access routes and river sections mentioned above into your itinerary. Then compare the location of any holiday rental you are considering with your own plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Low Head, Oatlands, South Arm Peninsula, Coningham, Quamby Brook, Pipers Brook, Camdale, Campbell Town.

Return to the main travel guide: Tasmania.