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Ben
Lomond National Park
The Ben Lomond National Park is invaluable for the conservation
of the flora communities and species diversity of Tasmania's
alpine areas. The area consists of an outstanding variety of
glacial and periglacial features which are considered of
national significance.
The magnificent mountain of Ben Lomond with its imposing and
precipitous cliffs is visible over much of the northern midlands
of Tasmania. The plateau is roughly 14 kilometers in length, 6
kilometers wide and is in excess of 1300 meters in height. A
summit on the plateau named Legges Tor is the second highest
point in Tasmania (1572 meters).
Ben Lomond is the main focus of downhill skiing in Tasmania.
Hastings Caves State Reserve
The Hastings Caves State Reserve offers a variety of
experiences, from relaxing in the warm waters of a thermal pool,
walking in the rich forests of the reserve and, the unique
experience of exploring Newdegate Cave. Both the thermal pool
and the trail, which leads through the surrounding forests, are
accessible to wheelchair users. Newdegate Cave is the largest
tourist cave in Australia, which occurs in dolomite, rather than
limestone. Its richly decorated chambers began forming tens of
millions of years ago.
Narawntapu National Park
Narawntapu National Park (formally known as Asbestos Range
National Park) is rich in both Aboriginal and European heritage
and is a place of peace for people and wildlife alike. It
stretches from the low coastal ranges to the long Bass Strait
beaches, and includes an historic farm, a complex of inlets,
small islands, headlands, wetlands, dunes and lagoons, all with
an amazing variety of plants and animals. Forester kangaroo,
Tasmanian devil, Bennetts wallaby and common wombat are seen in
the evening on the grasslands. It is a special place for
bushwalking or beachcombing; picnicking or camping.
Mount Barrow State Reserve
The Mount Barrow State Reserve covers an area of 459 ha and
features interesting geological formations, rainforest and
alpine vegetation and magnificent views.
For thousands of years the northern foothills of Mount Barrow
were the hunting grounds of the northeast Aboriginal tribes. The
cool temperate rainforests on Mount Barrow are a special aspect
of the vegetation. This is the only area in the north-east where
Tasmania's unique rainforest is protected in a reserve. The
majority of Tasmania's native mammals species can be found on
Mount Barrow. The open forest and grassland are the habitat of
wallabies and wombats.
It is ideal for bushwalking, picnics, nature study, spectacular
views and scenery. It is also a popular location for
rock-climbing and hang-gliding.
Patriarchs Wildlife Sanctuary
Patriarchs Wildlife Sanctuary is a small privately owned
Conservation Area on the east coast of Flinders Island. The area
has spectacular scenery and wonderful opportunities for nature
lovers. There are rocky granite hills, beaches, flowering heath,
fresh and saline swamps and lagoons and a beautiful estuary. It
is on the main flight path of northern migratory waders. Over
ninety species of rare birds have been recorded.
Tom Gibson Nature Reserve
The 665-hectare Tom Gibson Nature Reserve is located at Epping
Forest in the Tasmanian Midlands. The reserve is important
because the type of dry forest and woodland found in the
Midlands has mostly been cleared and of the remainder, hardly
any is reserved. There are many rare, threatened and previously
unreserved plant species.
It can be reached from both Hobart and Launceston by traveling
along the Midlands Highway (A1).
Lake St Clair National Park
Lake St Clair is at the southern end of the world famous Cradle
Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and is part of the
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Carved out by ice during several glaciations over the last two
million years, this is the deepest lake in Australia and the
headwaters of the Derwent River, upon which the capital city of
Tasmania is located.
The area around Lake St Clair offers a wealth of walks, ranging
from leisurely strolls to overnight bushwalks, as well as
beautiful forests to explore.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal people have a long and continuing
association with the area and today's vegetation patterns show
signs of thousands of years of Aboriginal burning practices.
Most of Australia's mammals, which are nocturnal and difficult
to see, can be seen here. These are the Bennetts or red-necked
wallaby, and the smaller, more timid Tasmanian pademelon.
Occasionally wombats and quolls can be seen after dark.
Australia's two species of monotreme - echidnas and platypuses -
are commonly seen around Cynthia Bay. Echidnas are most
frequently seen from spring through to autumn in light bushland,
often near tracks. Their presence is often indicated by freshly
scratched earth. Platypuses are harder to find. They are quite
sensitive to noise, but can sometimes be seen in the lake
feeding around the shoreline.
Douglas-Apsley National Park
Douglas-Apsley National Park is a place of surprising contrasts.
This park is one of the few that conserve the diverse wealth of
dry sclerophyll forest plants found on the east coast of
Tasmania. The crystal clear waters that run through the park are
a welcome sight on a hot summer's day. The area now known as
Douglas-Apsley National Park was never able to present itself as
a pristine wilderness. Although rugged and hard to access, it
was still criss-crossed with mining tracks from the mid-1800s
on. Coal was extracted from the area for over 100 years. In a
world of shrinking diversity, Douglas-Apsley is a beautiful
exception. |
