Victoria Valley, in the remoter part of the south of the State, was named by Robert Vincent Legge (died 1891) after Queen Victoria.

It was originally known as Nine Mile Marsh and is situated between Ouse and Dee Lagoon. It was the site of a convict probation station that operated between 1841 and 1845 holding up to 300 men.

The experiment of making this a productive farming area with probated ex-convict labour failed but some convict ruins can still be seen there.Correspondence from the commander at the time interestingly reads as follows:

"The barracks at Victoria Valley are good - I propose they be of a temporary nature, not permanent."
"The difficulty in obtaining stores is great - the delay is injurious to discipline and production. I propose to drain and fence the land into farms of 100 acres.”
"These when completed should be sold and the gangs removed to other locations."
"Lands in the Hamilton district can very easily be irrigated by conducting the water from Lake Echo to Victoria Valley."
"The want of boots in this severe season must necessarily endanger the health of the men and render them incapable of work."

All this did not eventuate as the climate was too severe and the settlement was abandoned.

The Victoria Valley falls are just off the Victoria Valley road, three kilometres west of nearby Osterley between Ouse and Dee Lagoon.These are the only waterfalls in the area and are often visited by people using the Tasmanian Trail, which passes right by the main entrance to the Victoria Valley Falls quite easy walking track.

A 10 minute return walk from the car park is good for a stretch of the legs.In the summer months, Kenmere Creek may be a trickle, but, come winter or heavy spring rains, the falls can be a great sight.

This photo (left) looks out over Nine Mile Marsh and Victoria Valley and is one of the many interpretive signs telling the story of the old penal probation station from the 19th century and the fruitless work done by many convicts in the area who called it home.