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Australia - Tasmania
National Parks
Tasmania's outstanding national park system offers visitors a wide choice of opportunities to discover spectacular landscapes, from highlands carved by glaciers to quiet, solitary beaches; from cool, silent rainforests to colourful,
alpine wilderness wildflowers. The national parks encompass a diversity of unspoiled habitats and ecosystems which offer refuge to unique, and often ancient, plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
There is a park for every season, and a park for every person.
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Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (WHA)
is one of the largest conservation reserves in Australia,
covering 1.38 million hectares, or about 20%
of Tasmania. It
conserves a diverse array of both natural and cultural
features of outstanding global significance. The region
provides pristine habitats for a range of plants and animals
that are found nowhere else in the world, including many
rare and endangered species. For a number of animals which
have become extinct on mainland Australia in recent times,
the area offers a last refuge.
The WHA is the Australian stronghold of temperate rainforest and alpine vegetation. Its landforms are of immense beauty and reveal a rich and complex geology. Aboriginal occupation extending back beyond 36 000 years, combined with nearly two centuries of European settlement, have created a legacy of humanity's interaction with the wilderness.
Since being listed in 1982, the Tasmanian Wilderness WHA
remains one of only 13 World Heritage properties that satisfy all natural criteria for selection and one of only 24 that satisfies both natural and cultural criteria. At the time of listing, the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area satisfied seven of a possible ten criteria - more than any other World Heritage Site.
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is made up of a number of different National Parks, and other reserves.
These are our recommendations. |
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Cradle Mountain
The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomize the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colorful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. Cradle is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a magnificent 6 day walk that will take you through the heart of some of the finest mountain terrain.
Lake St Clair
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. Lake St Clair is also the end point of the famous Overland Track.
Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
A region of dramatic mountain peaks, beautiful rainforest, deep river valleys and spectacular gorges. The park is famous for the wild and pristine rivers that twist their way through the wilderness. The Franklin River itself has become synonymous with Australia's largest conservation battle - the battle to save the Franklin from a proposed hydro-electric power scheme which would have flooded the river. The Lyell Highway winds for 56 kilometres through the heart of the Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Take your time to enjoy the drive through the park. Along the Lyell Highway there are several short walks and picnic stops along the way that will allow you to discover the grandeur and beauty of the Wild Rivers region. The park can also be visited by cruise boats which operate out of the west coast village of Strahan. |
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