Maydena

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Maydena is a small town in Tasmania, Australia, beside the Tyenna River. It sits on Gordon River Road, about 87 km west of Hobart and 52 km west of New Norfolk, at around 281 metres above sea level. The postcode is 7140. In the 2021 census, 198 people lived there.

Maydena is best known for the Maydena Bike Park, a large mountain-biking park opened in 2018 and run by Dirt Art. The park lies on the southern side of town and has reused some old buildings, like the old school. It’s a major employer and attracts many visitors, hosting events such as Red Bull Hardline.

Historically, Maydena was once called Junee and gave access to Adamsfield Osmiridium mining in the early 1900s. After World War II, Australian Newsprint Mills built about 100 houses for forestry workers to supply timber for their Boyer mill. In 1954 the population was 518, plus 60 people at a workers’ camp. The 3 ft 6 in (1067 mm) railway line once used to haul timber and ore and to help build the Gordon River Road and the Lake Gordon dam; it closed in 1991. A section of the old line is now used by a pedal-powered Railtrack Riders tourist ride. Maydena Post Office opened on 1 May 1944.

The climate is cool and rainy, a mild, oceanic climate. Winter days are typically 8–15 °C, with some nights below freezing. Summers are mild, with days from about 15–28 °C and cool nights. The area gets about 1,180–1,200 mm of rain each year.

Gordon River Road continues past Maydena toward Lake Pedder, Lake Gordon and Strathgordon in Southwest National Park.

Maydena’s historic railway gauge was 3 ft 6 in (1067 mm).