Strathgordon is a rural locality in the local government area (LGA) of Derwent Valley in Tasmania. The locality is about west of the town of New Norfolk. The 2021 census recorded a population of 8 for the state suburb of Southwest, which includes Strathgordon. The town was the 'company' town for construction by the Hydro-Electric Commission (TAS) of hydroelectric structures in the area, including four dams and one power station, that resulted in damming of Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon. Its post office opened on 16 July 1969.

Geography

The locality is completely surrounded by the much larger locality of Southwest.

Road infrastructure

Route B61 (Gordon River Road) runs through from south-east to south-west.

Climate

Strathgordon has a cold oceanic climate (Cfb) with cool summers and cold winters with crisp nights year round. Rainfall is extremely heavy year round, some of the heaviest in all of Australia. Strathgordon as well as being very wet is also very cloudy for most of the year; it is the cloudiest site in Australia, with only 1,478 sun hours and 16.3 clear days annually.

Snow is a common occurrence in the winter and spring months, and can be heavy in amount, while sleet and wet snow can occur in the summer. On average there are 12.7 snowy days annually.

The station commenced record in 1968 and ceased on 19 March 2021.

References

Further reading

  • Rackham, Sarah.(edited by Woodberry, Joan) (1983) Hydro construction villages. Volume three. Poatina, Gowrie Park, Strathgordon Hobart : Public Relations Dept., Hydro-Electric Commission.