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DISCOVER TASMANIA'S SPECIAL PLACES
Tasmania is an island of wonders, with pristine rivers and forests; rugged highlands and coastline, distinctive animals and plants that together reveal a unique natural heritage.  History too - with its stark Aboriginal, convict and industrial aspects - is more evident in Tasmania than in any other part of Australia.  This remarkable natural and cultural heritage has led to a large part of Tasmania being recognized as a World Heritage Area - a place of global significance.  Combined with the many national parks and other reserves around the state, this gives Tasmania one of the finest park systems in the world.  Because of the island's compact size, many of the reserves are within easy reach.  However there is so much to see and do it's worth allowing plenty of time to discover and enjoy Tasmania's special places.  Top

ASBESTOS RANGES
Asbestos Range is a coastal park featuring long unspoilt beaches and coastline, abundant wildlife and wildflowers, and a fascinating variety of coastal walks.  Located between Port Sorell and Greens Beach on the north coast, the park is no more than an hour from any northern centre, and about 3 hours from Hobart.  There are camping areas, picnic tables, fireplaces, toilets, bore water and firewood.  A boat ramp is provided at Bakers Point and an information shelter at Springlawn.  Top

BEN LOMOND NATIONAL PARK
Set on a high, island-like plateau, Ben Lomond National Park has spectacular views over northern Tasmania.  During the snow season it offers the longest natural ski slopes in Tasmania, but at any time of the year the park is home to an abundant array of plant, animal and birdlife.  It offers an especially fine display of summer wildflowers.  At the alpine village there are public amenities and ski-hire facilities.  Separate ski-field charges apply.  Top

CRADLE MOUNTAIN - LAKE ST. CLAIR NATIONAL PARK
This highland park is famous for its superb mountain peaks and lakes, its atmospheric forests and its wild alpine moorlands.  There are two main visitor access points.  In the north, at Cradle Valley, there's an award-winning visitor centre which will inspire even the unadventurous to try one of the many fabulous nature walks.  Likewise at the southern end, on the shores of Lake St Clair, there's a new visitor centre with full facilities for all kinds of visitors.  At the lake there are chances to meet the local wildlife, take short nature walks or cruise the lake on a launch.  The two ends of the park are joined by the famous 80km Overland Track, a 5-7 day trip for bushwalkers.  Both ends of the park have camping and cabin accommodation, and full day-visitor facilities.  Top

DOUGLAS-APSLEY NATIONAL PARK
Douglas-Apsley National Park, just inland of the east coast town of Bicheno, features rivers, gorges and waterfalls surrounded by dry forest and pockets of rainforest.  The tranquil Apsley Waterhole is reached by taking the Rosedale Road off the Tasman Highway (A3) north of Bicheno.  Above the waterhole is a fine new lookout with views up and down the lightly forested river valley.  Further into the park is the surprisingly challenging Leeaberra Track, a two and a half day walk that traverses the park from north to south.  Facilities in this new park are still being planned and built, but there are picnic tables and shelters, pit toilets and water at Apsley Waterhole.  Top

FRANKLIN-GORDON WILD RIVERS NATIONAL PARK
While the heart of this wilderness park can only be reached by rafters and bushwalkers, road travellers can easily view mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests from a number of easy-access walks.  These include Nelson Falls, Donaghys Hill (with spectacular views of the Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap) and the Franklin River Picnic Area (with its delightful river walk in a rainforest environment).  Picnic tables, toilets, information shelters, sign-posted walks, lookouts and barbecues are some of the facilities provided.  At the western end of the park, cruise boats travel from Strahan across the Macquarie Harbour and up the magnificent Gordon River.  At heritage Landing a short walk leads to a 2 000 year old Huon pine tree.  Top

FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK
Tasmania’s premier coastal park features striking granite peaks, sheltered blue waters, white sand beaches and rocky shores.  The magnificent scenery is complemented by a wide range of flora and fauna, and the park is well-equipped with picnic and camping facilities.  Walks range from extended overnight trips to short and easy nature walks.  The park has many safe swimming and snorkelling spots, and is near facilities for boating, fishing and scuba diving.  There is also ample and varied accommodation nearby.  Top

MOLE CREEK KARST NATIONAL PARK
This new park is one of the first karst (limestone landscape) national parks in Australia.  Set in the green and forested hills beneath the stunning Western Tiers, the surface features gives few clues to the spectacular landscapes hidden beneath.  Much of the water flowing off the Tiers disappears into a network of underground streams that have created caves with superb calcite formations.  The park also features cave fauna found nowhere else in the world, plus a diverse range of flora resulting from the calcium-rich soils.  King Solomons and Marakoopa Caves are both open to the public for guided tours.  Picnic facilities and toilets are provided.  Top

MARIA ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
A beautiful island-national park featuring a wonderful blend of history, scenery and wildlife.  Once a convict settlement, the island now offers a tranquil setting for walks that range from strolls through the remains of Darlington township to excursions to fascinating natural features like the Painted Cliffs and the Fossil Cliffs or BIshop and Clerk (the highest mountain on the island).  Wildlife is abundant and tolerant of human visitors.  Near Darlington visitor facilities include a shelter with gas barbecues, a large camping area and basic but limited bunk-style accommodation.  More remote camping is also available.  Top

HARTZ MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Located just 84 km south of Hobart, Hartz Mountains National Park offers a taste of mountain wilderness within easy reach.  Walks range from the half-day climb to Hartz Peak, with its spectacular views, to the short duckboarded walk to Lake Osborne, a highland tarn set against the rugged Devils Backbone.  Near the park entrance is the Waratah Lookout with a nearby picnic area, facilities and information.  Top

SOUTH BRUNY NATIONAL PARK (PROPOSED)
Set at the southern end of beautiful Bruny Island, this proposed national park will take in some spectacular and varied coastal scenery.  From the rugged cliffs of Fluted Cape and Tasman Head, to the heath-covered Labillardiere Peninsula, and the wild headlands of Cloudy Bay, the area has many moods.  An abundance of sea-birds and marine mammals can be seen around this coast, including penguins, muttonbirds, albatrosses, gannets, fur seals, whales and dolphins.  Top

SOUTHWEST NATIONAL PARK
The largest of our national parks is mostly remote wilderness, with breathtaking mountains, rivers, forests and coastline.  The Gordon Road via Maydena offers access to the forests, high peaks and buttongrass plains of its northern side.  Walking tracks here range from the short and delightful Creepy Crawly walk to extended wilderness expeditions.  The area also has facilities for boating, camping and picnicking.  The eastern portion of the park, near Cockle Creek, offers safe swimming, boating, fishing, camping and walking.  The Southwest can also be reached by light plane and boat.  Top

STRZELECKI NATIONAL PARK
Strzelecki National Park is in the rugged south-west corner of Flinders Island.  Features include wild and lonely beaches and red granite mountains.  walking tracks into the 700 m high mountains yield extensive views over the Bass Strait Islands to mainland Tasmania.  The sand of the beaches is spectacularly white.  The island is also a haven for sea birds.  Campsites have picnic tables and toilets.  Top

MOUNT FIELD NATIONAL PARK
Little over an hour from Hobart, Mt. Field National Park has something for everyone.  The lower parts of the park feature beautiful waterfalls and magnificent forests, while the highlands have peaks, lakes and an abundance of fascinating alpine vegetation.  Walks range from the wheelchair accessible Russell Falls track through to alpine wilderness walks.  The alpine area also has southern Tasmania's only ski-fields.  Full visitor facilities are found near the Russell Falls area, while the ski-fields have a public shelter, basic hut accommodation, and ski facilities.  Top

MOUNT WILLIAM NATIONAL PARK
Situated in the far north-east, Mt William National Park is a remote and peaceful coastal park featuring long, lonely beaches and an abundance of wildlife.  Kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, echidnas and other wildlife are easily viewed from the Forester Kangaroo Drive.  Spectacular wildflower displays are also seen in spring and early summer.  The area has a number of beaches and bays ideal for rambling, swimming, boating and fishing.  There are campsites, picnic facilities, boat launching sites and horse trails (permits required).  Top

ROCKY CAPE NATIONAL PARK
Rocky Cape National Park, on Tasmania's north-west coast, features a rocky coastline punctuated by fine sandy beaches.  A walking track traverses the whole park, offering a pectrum of local scenery and habitats.  In spring and summer that are spectacular display of wildflowers.  The area also contains a number of Aboriginal middens and rock shelters.  Visitors are provided with picnic tables, toilets, wood barbecues and boat launching.  Top

WALLS OF JERUSALEM NATIONAL PARK
The rugged Walls of Jerusalem National Park is found 90 km south of Devonport.  Accessible only by steep foot track, this highland park protects a unique mixture of flora, fauna and scenery.  The central part of the park is like a dramatic amphitheatre with numerous lakes and patches of pencil pine forest surrounded by high mountain walls.  Biblical names have been given to many features in the park.  The park offers walking tracks and remote bush camping for experienced walkers carrying what they need on their backs.  Top

OTHER RESERVES
There are nearly 300 other reserves around the state.  The following few give some idea of the variety of special places found outside of our national parks.  Please note:  National Park passes do not provide entry to other reserves for which a fee is charged. Top

ARTHUR-PIEMAN PROTECTED AREA
Remote, rugged and windswept, this west coast reserve protects large tracts of wild bushland and sweeping coastline.  There are basic camping and boating facilities, but limited access for vehicles.

HASTINGS CAVES STATE RESERVE
Hastings Thermal Pool and nearby Newdegate Cave combine the allure of warm swimming and the intrigue of a deep cave with a superb forest setting.  Separate entry fees apply.

HIGHFIELD HISTORIC SITE
The original Van Diemans Land Company homestead from 1827 is restored and open for viewing daily.  Separate entry fees apply.

PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE
One of Australia's most significant historic sites, Port Arthur housed the states major penal settlement from 1830 to 1877.  Tours of the site are offered several times a day.  Separate entry fees apply.

SEVEN MILE BEACH  PROTECTED AREA
Close to Hobart yet uncrowded, this long beach is ideal for swimming, windsurfing or just relaxing.  A Visitor Centre provides information about the area.

TREVALLYN STATE RECREATION AREA
Lake Trevallyn, the South Esk River and pleasant bushland combine to form a park that’s ideal for picnics and water activities, all within easy reach of Launceston.  Top
 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ENTRY FEES
Park entry fees apply to all National Parks in Tasmania. Daily (24 hour), Holiday (up to 2 months), and Annual passes are available from National Parks, Travel Centres and selected outlets.

DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT
Unfortunately many native animals are killed on Tasmania's roads. Drivers can help prvent this by driving a little slower at dawn and dusk or at night, especially in bushy or forested areas.

KEEP WILDLIFE WILD
Feeding wildife does them no favours. Apart from making them a nuisance to humans, it can be fatal for the animals, causing diseases such as lump jaw. Please keep wildlife wild - let them feed themselves.

BUSHWATCH
Keep an eye on Tasmania's bushland. If you see any suspicious activities please phone Bushwach - Freecall 1800 005 555

CONTACTING THE PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Hobart
(03) 6233 6191

Launceston
(03) 6336 5312
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