Tasmanian Wilderness
| Tasmanian Wilderness* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| State Party |  Australia
|
| Type | Mixed |
| Criteria | iii, iv, vi, vii, viii, ix, x |
| Reference | 181 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1982 (6th Session) |
| Extensions | 1989 |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is a contiguous network of reserved lands that extends over much of southwestern, western, and central Tasmania. In addition to constituting one of the last expanses of temperate rainforest in the world, the region contains alpine, sclerophyll, buttongrass moorland, and grassland and grassy woodland communities. Remains found in limestone caves attest to the human occupation of the area for tens of thousands of years.
Description
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area on the Australian island of Tasmania is one of the country's largest protected areas. It is comprised of multiple variously designated protected areas such as national parks, conservation areas, state and forest reserves, and historical preservation areas, totaling approximately 1.38 million hectares (3.41 million acres), or about 20 percent of Tasmania's total land area. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1982, with UNESCO extending its area in 1989 to its present boundaries. Within the area are natural, cultural and historical features of global significance.
The area contains alpine vegetation, extensive tracts of tall eucalypt forest, and one of the last expanses of temperate rainforest in the world. These provide habitats for a range of plants and animals that are not found anywhere else in the world, including many rare and endangered species. In addition, a high proportion of Tasmania's karst areas, glacial landscapes and known archaeological sites also occurs within the area.
A rich and complex geology has created landforms of immense beauty. There is evidence within its limestone caves of human habitation for tens of thousands of years. In addition, Tasmania’s first penal colony in Macquarie Harbour, which operated from 1822 to 1833, is contained within the protected area.
Geology
Australia's greatest variety of landscapes and geological types are found in this area, including rocks from all but one geological period. The area holds some of the deepest and longest caves in the country, and is renowned for its dramatic scenery which includes roaring rivers, deep valleys, dramatic mountain peaks and impressive gorges.
The oldest rocks — quartzites and quartz schists — date to the Precambrian period over one billion years ago, and form some of the area's mountains. The Cambrian and Ordovician periods donated sandstones, siltstones, and conglomerates, which are rich with ancient marine fossils.
Sedimentary rocks and fossil assemblages from the Permian and Triassic periods are similar to those on other continents, seeming to support the theory of the existence of the supercontinent, Gondwana. Tectonic activity during the Jurassic laid the foundations of the dolerite mountains scattered throughout the area. Widespread faulting during the Tertiary contributed to much of today's landscape. Three major glaciations during the Pleistocene carved rugged mountain landscapes and formed lakes, cirques and U-shaped valleys common to the Wilderness area.
Extensive areas of developed limestone, in some places as much as two kilometers (1.25 miles) thick, are found throughout the area. The acidic weathering of this stone has led to the formation of Australia's largest and deepest cave systems. Among these are are globally significant Aboriginal sites which have revealed some of the nation's richest archaeological finds. Others reveal formations of great beauty such as those found in Marakoopa Cave.
Flora and fauna
The Wilderness protected area includes a wide range of plant communities within such environments as: cool temperate rainforest; alpine communities; extensive buttongrass moorlands; sclerophyllous forests; and riverine rainforest. Two-thirds of Tasmania's endemic higher plant species are contained within Wilderness boundaries; the distribution of many of them confined to this Area. Nearly one-third of the plant species in Tasmania that are listed as rare or threatened occur within the Wilderness area.
Some of the Area's temperate rainforests — characterized by an open, verdant, cathedral-like quality — contain descendants of some of Australia's most ancient plants, some dating more than 60 million years, such as native plum and leatherwood.
The Site's alpine communities are dominated by shrubs, different from the mainland. Cushion plants, scoparia, and deciduous beech are included in the sixty percent of alpine flora which is endemic to Tasmania.
The second longest lived organism in the world after the Californian bristlecone pine, the Huon pine, can live 3,000 years. These occur in the riverine rainforest habitats in the Area's western section.
Buttongrass moorlands are extensive throughout the region, with over 150 vascular plant species showing in this nutrient-poor soil. One third of these plants are endemic to Tasmania.
The Area's sclerophyllous forests are dominated by swamp gum, a type of Eucalyptus that can grow taller than 100 meters (328 feet). Old-growth sclerophyllous forests contain the greatest diversity of living plants and animals in Tasmania.
The extensive range and variety of environments provided within the Area provide for secure habitats for some of the most unique animals in the world. Many species which recently became extinct on the Australian mainland and are threatened on Tasmania are protected within the World Heritage area.
A number of species that live within the Area are ancient relics. Some species, such as velvet worms, (Euperipatoides and Ooperipatellus spp.) have changed little in the last half billion years. Some consider these to be the 'missing link' between worms (annelids) and crustaceans and insects (arthropods). The 250 million year old mountain shrimp (Anaspides tasmaniae) is an ancient representatives of crustaceans present in the area. Marsupials, parrots, frogs, and freshwater fish are also abundant.
The isolation of Tasmania has given rise to the evolution of a number of endemic species. More than half the mammals on the island are recognized as distinct subspecies from their mainland counterparts, while five mammal species are fully endemic. The worlds three largest carnivorous marsupials, live within the World Heritage Area: the Tasmanian Devil, the spotted-tail quoll, and the eastern quoll.
While the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area provides habitat for species which have become extinct on the Australian mainland, it also provides safe haven for threatened species on Tasmania. Nineteen rare and threatened vertebrates are found within its boundaries, representing eighty percent of such species in the state. Endangered birds, lizards, freshwater fish, and such invertebrates as the pencil pine moth, freshwater snails, caddisflies, stoneflies and dragonflies also find safe habitat within the Area.
Cultural and historic heritage
Tasmania was cut off from mainland Australia by the flooding of Bass Strait at least 8,000 years ago, isolating the aboriginal inhabitants. The Tasmanian Aborigines were one of the longest isolated human groups in history, surviving some 500 generations without outside influence.
Archaeological evidence indicates a significant Pleistocene hunter-gatherer society inland in the southwestern region dating to at least 30,000 years ago. The climate was significantly colder and drier than at present. The sites reveal the distinctive means by which the Aborigines developed to survive climate change and Ice Age conditions.
More than forty sites have been discovered in the southwest inland river valleys which provide a rich collection of Aboriginal history, including painted cave and rock art sites, including Kutikina Cave on the Franklin River. These sites are of great importance to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community for their exceptional cultural, emotional and spiritual value.
Included in the World Heritage Site is the Macquarie Harbour Historic Site, a nineteenth century penal colony on the west coast of Tasmania. Originally built for British convicts, many Irish patriots and Tasmanian Aborigines were also detained there. It had the notorious reputation as a prison which practiced "extreme physical and mental torture". The site is considered to be an outstanding example of one of the most significant features of world population movement in the 18th and 19th centuries — the transportation of convicts.
Additional historic sites include trappers' huts, mines, tracks, tramways and long-abandoned settlements such as Adamsfield and Pillinger. Preservation of the sites serves as testimony to the activities and lifestyles guards their legacy of human interaction with the wilderness.
Protected areas
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The property contains most of the last great temperate wilderness remaining in Australia, most of it being in a natural or near natural condition, and is one of the last remaining such areas in the world. The property encompasses diverse habitats, including jagged coasts, islands, major estuaries, alpine plateau and mountain peaks, turbulent rivers, sheltered lakes, rain forest and moorland. These support a flora and fauna that include many primitive groups of Gondwanan origins, with relatives in Gondwanan continental fragments such as South America, Africa and India. Endemism is high and there are a significant number of threatened species. The property also contains Pleistocene archaeological sites and Holocene aboriginal sites of universal significance.
Cultural values of the WHA include historic features from the past 170 years of European activity. The remains of the Macquarie Harbour penal settlement, the first in Tasmania, are internationally significant as an example of colonization of remote parts of the world in the 18th and 19th centuries by means of the forced transportation of convicts across the world. The area contains remains of sites related to other historic themes including exploration, Huon pine logging, mining, hunting, shepherding, hydro-electric development and recreation.
The following protected areas, totaling 1,383,640 hectares (3,419,049 acres), are included in the UNESCO site:
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park - 161,000 ha
- Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park - 440,120 ha
- Southwest National Park - 605,000 ha
- Walls of Jerusalem National Park - 51,800 ha
- Hartz Mountains National Park - 7,140 ha
- Mole Creek Karst National Park
- Reserves
- Devils Gullet State Reserve - 806 ha
- Marakoopa Cave State Reserve - 790 ha
- Liffey Falls State Reserve (partially contained) 20 ha
- Farm Cove Game Reserve - 1,720 ha
- Meander Forest Reserve - 1,660 ha
- Liffey Forest Reserve - 1,055 ha
- Drys Bluff Forest Reserve - 680 ha
- Conservation areas
- Central Plateau Conservation Area - 89,200 ha
- Southwest Conservation Area - 616 ha
- Adamsfield Conservation Area - 5,400 ha
- Marble Hill Conservation Area - 77 ha
- Historic sites
- Macquarie Harbour Historic Site - 15,300 ha
- Wargata Mina Protected Archaeological Site - 155 ha
- Maxwell River Protected Archaeological Site - 560 ha
- Other designated areas
- Maatsuyker Island (Commonwealth freehold) - 180 ha
- St. Clare Lagoon - 29 ha
- Privately-owned land 320 ha
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair is a national park in the Central Highlands areaof Tasmania (Australia), 165 km northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, most well known of which is the Overland Track. Major features of the park are Lake St Clair and to the north, Cradle Mountain. This park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Access from the south (Lake St. Clair) is usually from Derwent Bridge on the Lyell Highway. Northern access (Cradle Valley) is usually via Sheffield, Wilmot or Mole Creek.
In 2005, the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service introduced a booking system & fee for use of the Overland Track over peak periods.
The Tasmanian Government has moved to allow development in national parks and conservations areas. An 'In principle' permit has been granted for the establishment of an 'eco-friendly' resort at Pumphouse Point at Lake St Clair.
The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a significant location of Tasmania's endemic species - 40-55% of the park's documented alpine flora is endemic. Furthermore, 68% of the higher rainforest species recorded in alpine areas in Tasmania are present in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The park's alpine vegetation is very diverse and, has largely escaped forest fires that have caused neighboring regions to suffer.
Animals present in the park include: pademelons, Bennett's wallabies, wombats, possums, ravens and currawongs.
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers is a national park in Tasmania (Australia), 117 km west of Hobart. It is named after the two main river systems lying within the bounds of the park - the Franklin River and the Gordon River.
The Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park lies between the Central Highlands and West Coast Range of Tasmania in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is dissected by the only road to pass through this area - the Lyell Highway.
The genesis of the Wild Rivers National Park was in the earlier Frenchmans Cap National Park which had the Franklin River as its boundary on the northern and western borders. Frenchmans Cap is a dominant feature in the region, and can be seen on the skyline from the west and north of the park.
The Gordon and Franklin Rivers were the subject of one of Australia's largest conservation battles - the battle to save the Gordon River from being dammed for a hydro-electric scheme.
The Franklin Dam was part of a proposed hydro-electric power scheme that had been in the plans of The Hydro for some time. But it was the enthusiastic endorsement by Robin Gray's Liberal Government which would have seen the river flooded. It became a national issue for the Tasmanian Wilderness Society, led by its director at the time, Bob Brown.
The Lyell Highway winds for 56 kilometres through the heart of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Hartz Mountains National Park
Hartz Mountains is a national park in Tasmania (Australia), 55 km southwest of Hobart. The National Parks is usually covered with snow in winter, with access limited only to 4WDs. Only experienced walkers should walk the tracks (Lake Esperence - 90 Minutes Return and Hartz Peak - 4-5 hours return) in winter. When the snow melts in late spring the waterfalls that surround the park are beautiful and abundant in wildlife. It is one of 20 Tasmanian National Parks.
Mole Creek Karst National Park
Mole Creek Karst is a national park in Tasmania (Australia), 168 km northwest of Hobart. It is the only national park in Tasmania created specifically to protect karst landforms.
Southwest National Park
The Southwest National Park is located in the south-west of Tasmania, Australia.
The eastern boundary is 93km west of Hobart and the park stretches to the west and south coasts. This park comprises the bulk of Tasmania's South West Wilderness.
The Southwest National Park covers an area of 6,052km² (605,213 hectares) and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The park is well known for its pristine wilderness and remoteness, while weather in the park is highly changeable, and can be severe. The area is largely unaffected by humans. Although evidence shows Tasmanian Aborigines have visited the area for at least 25,000 years, and European settlers have made occasional forays into the park area since the 19th century, there has been very little permanent habitation and only minimal impact on the natural environment.
The core of the park was created in 1955 and was originally called Lake Pedder National Park. Over the following 35 years the park was gradually extended and renamed, finally reaching its present size in 1990.
Within the area there is only one road, to the hydro-electricity township of Strathgordon. The southern and western reaches of the park are far removed from any vehicular access. The only access is by foot, boat, or light aircraft.
The tiny locality of Melaleuca in the extreme south-west provides an airstrip and some very basic facilities, mainly to do with the National Parks Service. This area is also the summer breeding grounds of the highly endangered orange-bellied parrot
Two main walking tracks cross the park, one south from Lake Pedder to Melaleuca, the other west from Cockle Creek along Tasmania's south-coast to Melaleuca. The walks are generally for more experienced walkers, taking approximately ten to fourteen days to complete the full route. Alternatively a flight to or from Melaleuca may be arranged to split the walk, or for tourist access for day trips. Several more difficult walks also exist, encompassing the Eastern and Western Arthurs Ranges, Precipitous Bluff, the South West Cape, and Federation Peak (supposedly Australia's most difficult and dangerous walk). Many of these later routes are not recommended for inexperienced walkers, or for people travelling alone. Sea access to the region is best gained via Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. See the South West Wilderness article for more details.
Walls of Jerusalem National Park
Walls Of Jerusalem is a national park in Tasmania, Australia, 144 km northwest of Hobart. The park takes its name from the geological features of the park which are though to resemble the walls of the city of Jerusalem in Israel. As a result many places and features within the park also have Biblical references for names, such as Herods Gate, Lake Salome, Solomons Jewels, Damascus Gate, the Pool of Bathesda.
The most prominent feature of the park is King Davids Peak.
Central Plateau Conservation Area
The Central Plateau conservation area is an animal & plant conservation area in Tasmania, Australia.
The Central Plateau of Tasmania is the largest area of high ground in Tasmania. It is bound to the north east by the Great Western Tiers, a large number of hydro electric schemes emanating from rivers that flow to the south - and to the west by Cradle Mountain national park.
Devils Gullet State Reserve
Devils Gullet is a state reserve in Tasmania, Australia. It is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Australian Government. Tasmanian Wilderness Retrieved September 4, 2008.
- Chapman, John, Monica Chapman and John Siseman (2006) Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and Walls of Jerusalem National Parks 5th ed. Laburnum, Vic. : J. Chapman. ISBN 1920995013
- Flannery, T.F. 1994. The Future Eaters: An ecological history of the Australasian lands and people. Chatswood. New South Wales. ISBN 0802139434
- Gee, Helen, Janet Fenton, Greg Hodge, and Chris Cowles. 1983. The Southwest book: a Tasmanian wilderness. Sydney: Collins. ISBN 9780002173056
- Poll, Mark J. 2005. Visitor experience in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Thesis (Ph.D.)—University of Tasmania, 2005.
- Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Retrieved September 4, 2008.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Tasmanian Wilderness Retrieved September 4, 2008.
External links
All links Retrieved August 23, 2008.
- Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
- Visitors Guide to Tasmania's National Parks - Lake St Clair
- Visitors Guide to Tasmania's National Parks - Cradle Mountain
- Visitors Guide to Tasmania's National Parks - Southwest National Park
- South West National Park
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