From its source to its mouth, the Mersey River flows through varied topography, rich agricultural land and many interesting centres of population. The Meandering the Mersey (MTM) series will follow, as much as pracitcal, the course of the Mersey River with caches being placed at varying intervals. We trust you will enjoy the area.
The Mersey Rowing Club was formed in 1888 and for many years, the clubrooms were on the western side of the river opposite where the Spirit of Tasmania now births. The Mersey River was their training ground and the location for a number of regattas held throughout each year. It was a typical river course with the vagaries of tide and wind impacting on rower's performances. The club boasts a fine history of achievement at state, national and international levels with many of its rowers commencing the sport when students of Devonport High School. In 1965 Reece High School formed the Reeconian Rowing Club and built clubrooms at Ambleside on the southern side of the Victoria Bridge. Students from St Brendan- Shaw College also took up the sport and rowing was thriving on the Mersey. The Mersey Rowing Club outgrew its clubrooms and they also moved to Ambleside, next to the Reeconian Rowing Club.
At that time all rowing clubs in Tasmania used local rivers but in the 1970's there was a move to make the premier rowing venue in the state at Lake Barrington, just south of Devonport. The move was so successful that a number of international rowing events and many national rowing events have been held on Lake Barrington over the years.
The Mersey River has remained the training ground for rowers in the Devonport area but most competitions have been relocated to Lake Barrington. Early morning training sessions can often be seen on the Mersey River opposite the Mersey and Reeconion Rowing Club rooms.
This cache is a bison tube and has been hidden on the banks of the Mersey River in front of the rowing facilities. Enjoy your visit to the area.