Tasmania is home to 1.4 million hectares of wilderness identified as meeting the UNESCO World Heritage criteria for its significant global natural and cultural values. Covering as much as 20 per cent of Tasmania the region conserves it provides pristine habitats for a range of unique and rare endemic Tasmanian animals. It also offers the most pristine example of temperate rainforest found anywhere in Australia.
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is part of a chain of six national parks, reserves and conservation areas many of which sit within and at the fringes of the Huon Valley.
These include:
Huon Valley World Heritage Area experiences
- Stand on the top of kunyani/Mt Wellington and look back towards the south west down the valley and see the beautiful mountain ranges such as Hartz Mountain, Adamsons Peak and out past towards Bathurst Harbour and Melaleuca.
- Take a 3-5 hour/7.4 km walk to Hartz Peak in the Hartz Mountain National Park. Bush walking experience is recommended as tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Here you will have the opportunity (weather dependent) to take in the stunning views of much of the South West Wilderness including Federation Peak, Precipitous Bluff and Hartz Lake.
- Visit Tahune Adventures and walk along the Tahune Airwalk which looks out towards the peaks of the World Heritage Areas.
- Visit Hastings Caves State Reserve to see the dolomite cave system, green forest and thermal springs.
- Travel to the end of the road at Cockle Creek and take a day walkout on the South Cape Bay Track .
- Immerse yourself in the wilderness completely with a serious multi-day bush walk along the South Coast Track.
Photo courtesy of Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife, taken by Chris Crerar
Photo courtesy of Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife, taken by Alastair Bett
Photo courtesy of Tourism Tasmania, taken by Kathryn Leahy
Photo courtesy of Tourism Tasmania, taken by Rob Burnett
Photo courtesy of Tourism Tasmania, taken by Don Fuchs