Gordon, Tasmania is a designated rural locality in the state of Tasmania, Australia. It is situated within the South‑West region of the state and falls under the jurisdiction of the Derwent Valley Council local government area. The locality is located near the Gordon River and the Upper Gordon Reservoir, and it is proximal to the extensive wilderness areas of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Geography
- Location: Approximately 120 km west of Hobart, the state capital, and about 30 km south‑west of the town of Maydena.
- Coordinates: Roughly 42°30′S 146°30′E (latitude and longitude approximate).
- Topography: The area is characterised by mountainous terrain, forested valleys, and alpine plateaus. The Gordon River, a major Tasmanian river, flows through the locality, and the Upper Gordon Reservoir (part of the Hydro‑Energie Tasmania water‑supply system) lies within its bounds.
- Climate: Gordon experiences a cool temperate climate with high annual precipitation, typical of Tasmania’s western highlands. Winters are cold with frequent snowfall at higher elevations, while summers are mild.
History
- Indigenous heritage: The region is part of the traditional lands of the Aboriginal Tasmanian peoples, particularly the Nuenonne and Big River groups, although specific pre‑colonial site documentation within the present locality’s boundaries is limited.
- European exploration and settlement: The Gordon River was first surveyed by European explorers in the early 19th century. The name “Gordon” is attributed to early colonial officials, likely after a British figure or place, though the precise eponym has not been definitively recorded.
- Hydro‑electric development: From the mid‑20th century, the area became significant in Tasmanian hydro‑electric projects, notably the construction of the Gordon Dam (completed 1974) and the associated Upper Gordon Reservoir, which altered the local environment and facilitated electricity generation for the state.
Demographics
- Population: According to the 2016 Australian Census, Gordon recorded a resident population of 0 persons, reflecting its status as a sparsely inhabited or uninhabited rural area. Earlier censuses similarly reported negligible permanent residency.
- Land use: The locality is primarily used for conservation, forestry, and hydro‑electric infrastructure. There are no established residential communities, schools, or commercial services within Gordon itself.
Infrastructure
- Transportation: Access to Gordon is limited to unsealed forest roads that connect with the Molesworth‑Maydena Road (Route C61). These routes are primarily used for maintenance of the hydro‑electric facilities and for forestry operations.
- Utilities: The Upper Gordon Reservoir supplies water for the Gordon Power Station, part of the larger Hydro‑Energie Tasmania network. No public utilities (e.g., water supply, sewerage, telecommunications) are provided for residential use within the locality.
- Protected areas: Significant portions of Gordon fall within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, affording the region high conservation status and limiting development.
Economy
Economic activity in Gordon is limited to:
- Hydro‑electric power generation (Gordon Power Station).
- Forestry operations, managed under sustainable practices and subject to state environmental regulations.
Tourism is minimal due to the remoteness and lack of facilities, though the surrounding wilderness attracts occasional bushwalkers and anglers.
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing – TableBuilder data for locality “Gordon (Tas.)”.
- Tasmanian Government, Placenames Tasmania – entry for “Gordon”.
- Hydro‑Energie Tasmania, Gordon Power Station technical overview.
- Derivative maps and geographic information from the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
Note: Information presented reflects data available from official Australian government and Tasmanian state sources up to 2023. Where precise details (e.g., exact coordinates) are not publicly disclosed, approximations based on surrounding features have been provided.