Plenty is located 11 kilometres from New Norfolk, and is famous as being the site of the first brown and rainbow trout breeding centre in the southern hemisphere. It was from here that the first trout were introduced into the rivers and lakes of Australia and New Zealand in 1864.

The only native fish in Tasmania were the Australian grayling, the blackfish and the small galaxias - hardly a challenge for keen anglers. In 1841 Captain Frederick Chalmers attempted to introduce trout ova to Tasmania but failed. A Hobart man named James Burnett decided it would be better to transport live fish as opposed to ova, but his attempt in 1847 was also unsuccessful.

The Tasmanian government became involved in 1852 when it agreed to finance an expedition to transport salmon ova in a gravel tub; the failure of this attempt led them to offer a 500 pound reward to anyone who could successfully transport ova from England to Tasmania in 1857.

James Youl went to England in 1860 to study the biology of fish ova and carried out several experiments. It was common knowledge that the ova needed to be protected from heat and excess jolting during the trip. In the same year another transportation was attempted and again it was unsuccessful.

A year later the Salmon Commission was formed, with Hobart barrister Morton Allport a member of the original board of directors. That year Youl went overseas again to learn more about current salmonoid biology, and another failed transportation was completed in 1862.

The Commission chose Plenty as the site for the salmon ponds which would eventually be the nursery for the introduced ova, as they could be fed by cold, clear waters, and were also connected to the sea. The ponds were constructed in 1862 and were based on the famous Stormontfield Ponds on the River Tay in Scotland. Land for the ponds was generously donated by William Read, owner of the Redlands estate.

By now public opinion was against the idea of spending more money on a fruitless project, but in 1863 the Salmon Commission asked for another attempt to bring the ova to Tasmania. Youl and William Ramsbottom were sent to England in 1863, and by experimentation discovered that if the ova were packed in a refrigerated compartment, and kept airtight, over 70% of the ova hatched.

A plan was devised to transport the ova in moss packed boxes placed in an ice house. In 1864 the clipper Norfolk left England with 100,000 salmon and 3,000 trout ova. It was never intended to introduce trout, but the ova had been given as a gift by well wishing naturalists.

Eighty four days later the Norfolk arrived in Hobsons Bay in Victoria, and 11 boxes of salmon ova were left in Melbourne. The steamship Victoria took charge of the remaining cargo, set sail for Hobart, and was met at the Derwent River estuary by the river steamer Emu who towed her up as far as they could.

From there the boxes were loaded onto pack horses and transported to the Salmon ponds at Plenty. William Ramsbottom went ahead to prepare the ponds for the ova, and the main party arrived on 21st of April 1864, 91 days after the expedition had left England.

About 30,000 ova survived the trek and were "planted" in the ponds. On the 4th of May 1864, the first trout fry appeared, and a day later the first salmon appeared. The salmon introduction proved to be unsuccessful, but the trout flourished, and the Great Lake was stocked in 1870.

Brook trout were introduced in 1883, and rainbow trout in 1898. Experiments were carried out on species of salmon in 1902 and 1910, as well as Loch Leven trout in 1888 and 1889. The salmon ponds received telegraph facilities in 1888.

In May 1978, an Illuminated Address was unveiled by the Minister for Primary Industry, Mr Eric Barnard MHA, in recognition of the achievements of the Salmon Commission and all their volunteers and helpers. The Salmon ponds were responsible for the introduction of trout to Australia and New Zealand.


The Salmon Ponds have become a major tourist attraction in the area. This is the oldest trout hatchery in the southern hemisphere. William Senior, a visiting English Angler in 1877 described the Salmon Ponds as follows:

"A wicker gate opens into a lawn like paddock in which there is a large artificial lake, fringed with English and Australian trees alternately.......Violet and white lilies are opening on the surface of the lake. Seats are arranged under shady trees. In a remote corner an aviary contains an emu, parrots and cockatoos, and some silver pheasants. In another corner a sleek pet Alderney is tethered."

Tea rooms and a souvenir kiosk set in splendid lawns and gardens, as well as the Salmon Ponds themselves containing trout fry at various stages of development, are open to the public daily.

A fascinating museum is also open, displaying information on the life cycle of the fish, and introducing the personalities that are well known in Tasmanian fishing circles, such as Sir James Youl and Mr Morton Allport, the two gentlemen who introduced salmon and trout eggs to Tasmania in 1864, as well as over 700 items of general interest for the public to view.

The Salmon Ponds is open every day from 9am until 5pm. It is located on Glenora Road and for further information phone (002) 61 1614.

The historic home "Redlands", constructed in 1825, was owned by George Read who donated part of his land as the site for the Salmon Ponds, and may be admired by visitors. Accommodation is available in the "Redlands" cottages.

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