Along the eastern boundary of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, adjacent to incredibly beautiful mountains and alpine regions that are protected, large areas of pristine forests are intentionally left unreserved. These forests, in the valleys of the Styx, Upper Florentine, Middle Huon, Weld and Upper Derwent, have been identified by experts including government bodies as being of World Heritage value in their own right. They help maintain the integrity of the existing protected areas in Tasmania.

Northern and eastern Tasmania contain significant tracts of remnant forests which form crucial habitat for threatened species such as the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and the white goshawk. The giant freshwater crayfish lives in freshwater streams and rivers across northern Tasmania and can grow to a massive 80 centimetres long, making it the largest freshwater crayfish in the world.

Forests & climate change

Magnificent trees like these in Tasmania's Upper Florentine were at grave risk of logging - but will now be protected by the new Statement of Principles

Tasmania’s forests are some of the most ‘carbon dense’ in the world—keeping millions of tonnes of dangerous carbon locked away. As trees grow they draw in carbon from the atmosphere. This carbon is stored in the trees and in forest debris and soils. Ancient oldgrowth forests like those in the Styx Valley can store up to 1200 tonnes of carbon per hectare. 

When forests are logged, much of that carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Approximately 15,000 ha of native forest are clearfelled and burnt in Tasmania each year.

Following the clearfelling, the mangled remains of the forest are burnt. These massive fires are ignited by helicopters dropping a napalm-like substance on the forest floor. In autumn each year up to 400 such burns occur. Heavy smoke and haze shroud the sun. This is unsightly, problematic for tourism, uncomfortable for people with respiratory diseases, and ecologically disastrous. It is a major contributor to global warming.

On average 90 per cent of wood removed from Tasmania’s public native forests ends up as woodchips for paper production. The majority of paper products release all their carbon to the atmosphere within three years, worsening global warming.

Protecting forests from logging is one of the cheapest and quickest ways we can help stop dangerous climate change.

High conservation value forests under threat from logging in Tasmania include forests in the Lower Weld Valley, the Upper Florentine, the Styx, the Great Western Tiers, and the North-East Highlands, including the Blue Tier.
You can help by writing to Prime Minister Rudd and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong calling for the immediate protection of Tasmania’s carbon-dense forests.

Gunns’ proposed pulp mill

Gunns Ltd, Australia’s largest woodchipping company, wants to build a massive native-forest-fed pulp mill in the Tamar Valley in the state’s north. If built this pulp mill will consume up to 4.5 million tonnes of wood from native forests and plantations annually for the next 30 years.

Find out more >>

Huon Riveaux, Tasmania

Styx Valley

The secluded Styx Valley is less than two hours drive west of Hobart. Discover ancient rainforests, majestic mountains, the swirling waters of the Styx River, and the tallest hardwood trees in the world, Eucalyptus regnans.

Download the Styx self-drive/walking guide

The Upper Florentine

The Upper Florentine Valley lies 80 kilometres west of Hobart and is an intrinsic part of Tasmania’s south-west wilderness—one of the greatest temperate wilderness areas on Earth. The upper reaches of the Florentine are surrounded by the spectacular mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and the valley floor is home to giant trees, rainforest and moorlands.

Download the Upper Florentine self-drive/walking guide

Liffey Forests

The Liffey forests lie about 55 kilometres south-west of Launceston. Backing onto the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the forests are home to Tasmanian Devils, Platypuses, Bandicoots, Bettongs, Potoroos and Pygmy Possums, as well as Pink Robins, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and the threatened Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Download the Liffey Forests self-drive/walking guide

The Tarkine

Sumac Lookout and Balfour Track (Easy/Moderate) - 3 hours
The Tarkine contains one of the world’s great temperate rainforests and Australia’s largest wilderness rainforest. It is a vast area located between the Arthur and Pieman rivers. Only 5% of the Tarkine is protected as National Park. In May 2005 further formal reserves were declared in the Tarkine . Unfortunately this protection is not as National Park, leaving the area open to mining exploration.

Travel south from Smithton on the C217/C218 for approximately 60 kilometres to Kannunnah Bridge (Arthur River). Turn left onto Sumac Road, follow for 1.7 kilometres to the lookout. Then retrace your drive back to Kannunnah Bridge (do not recross it) and onto Blackwater Road (C214).  Follow the C214 for 4.7 kilometres from the bridge to a small car park opposite the start of the Balfour Track walk.

Further walks, including the sensational Philosopher Falls walk near Waratah and Mt Donaldson near Corinna, are available on the free Tarkine self-drive flyer from the Tarkine National Coalition (call them on 0409 543 902).

View the Tarkine map
For further information visit the Tarkine National Coalition

Blue Tier

The Big Tree Track (Moderate) - 1.5 hours
This fantastic walk will take you through stunning  sassafras and a mystical fern glade. Descending  through huge eucalypts, musk, myrtle, mosses and ferns to the majesty of the Blue Tier Giant. This massive Eucalyptus regnans has a girth measuring a staggering 19.4 metres! The loop walk continues to the beautiful Groom River and the unique ‘cradle’ tree. The trail is a little steep in places.

Welcome to the mystery of the Blue Tier. A land of glacial refugia where flora has survived for 65 million years! Set your trip meter to 000 at the Weldborough Hotel and drive along the A3 towards Pyengana for 6.7 kilometres and turn left onto Lottah Road. Follow Lottah Road for 1.3 kilometres and turn right near the quarry. Follow this dirt road for 1.7 kilometres to the start of the Big Tree Walk.

View the Blue Tier map
For further information visit Friends of the Blue Tier

South Sister

The Summit (Easy) 30-60 minutes
Close to St Marys, the Sisters provide views across to Flinders Island, the Northeast Highlands and along the spectacular east coast.

Travel 5.4 kilometres from St Marys on German Town Road. Turn left onto South Sister Road. Drive approx. 2 kilometres (alternatively, it’s a beautiful walk). Enjoy the easy walk to the summit of South Sister (the final 10 minutes are steep but have steps and rails) then soak in the 360 degree views from the lookout at 832 metres.

View the South Sister map
For further information visit South Sister

The Weld

North Weld Valley River Walk (Easy/Moderate) 1 hour
This track provide a stunning glimpse into the beauty of the North Weld Valley wilderness, taking you through ancient manfern, myrtle and blackwood forests where you will find the pristine Weld River. Enjoy a swim in one of the most majestic rivers in Tasmania.

If you are coming from Hobart head to Huonville. Through Huonville turn right on the road after the bridge (C619). Keep driving past Glen Huon until you reach Judbury. Take a left (becomes Lonnavale
Road). Follow this along (don’t turn off to Lonnavale) and this road becomes Denison Road then Weld Road.

Once you pass the Ta Ann industrial complex turn right onto Eddy Road. This is the beginning of the Weld Valley. Follow Eddy Road along over the bridge (around 10 kilometres) until you get to a T-intersection, turn right onto South Weld Road and follow this along for eight kilometres until you get to North Weld Road on your right. Follow this road down until the end. There is a parking area and from there you can walk down to the end of the clay road where you will see pink tags.

A visit to Glovers Bluff (off the South Weld Road) or nearby Hartz Mountains National Park will provide landscape views of logging in the area. The turn‑offs are well signposted.

View the Weld Map
For further information visit Huon Valley Environment Centre
or call them on: (03) 6264 1286

Visiting Tasmania's forests

Many of Tasmania’s threatened forests and wilderness areas are in remote locations. Public transport cannot be relied upon to take you to these areas. If you require assistance seeing these wild places please contact the conservation group in the area you wish to visit well in advance to find out if they can help you get there. If at all possible, bring your own vehicle.

Bring food, water, sunhat, raincoat and stout shoes. Bring toilet paper, as many of these areas have no built toilets.

These are mostly dirt roads, many kilometres from the nearest township and out of mobile-phone range, so ensure that you have adequate petrol in your vehicle for the journey you are taking.

Always drive at a safe speed and slow down for potholes, corrugations and other hazards. Although suitable for two wheel drive vehicles, many of these roads become slippery when wet, and dusty when dry. Ensure you have a spare tyre and jack. Drive slowly at night and dusk to spare wildlife. Beware of log trucks.

Please do not light any campfires or smoke cigarettes while in the forest or other natural areas.

Disclaimer: Visitors should be aware that  natural hazards occur within Tasmania’s forest and other natural environments. The Wilderness Society accepts no liability for any injury or damage resulting from such hazards.

UPDATE: Campaign win!

Historic decision protects the Murray River Red Gum Forests

Following a campaign led by The Wilderness Society Sydney and the National Parks Association of NSW, the NSW Government announced they will protect the internationally important River Red Gum Forests – including the immediate protection of the iconic Millewa Forest.

This is an historic conservation outcome for NSW, with a greater proportion of State Forest lands protected than in any previous forest decision. The includes significant outcomes for Indigenous Traditional Owners, allowing for joint management of the Millewa Forests by the Yorta Yorta people and includes the transfer of two major forest groups to Traditional Owners as Indigenous Protected Areas.

The decision will see the creation of over 100,000 hectares of new protected areas and will protect crucial habitat for threatened species such as the superb parrot.

Combined with recent new park decisions across Victorian Forests, the decision sees over 200,000 hectares of River Red Gum Forests protected in the Murray region.

A generous restructure package will provide support to industry, allowing them to progress towards a more sustainable regional economy. Previous studies have shown that National Parks have the potential to provide good outcomes for both the environment, and for the regional economy.

The Wilderness Society recognises the hard work of NSW Environment Minister, Frank Sartor, and the welcome decision of NSW Premier Kristina Keneally to protect the Murray River Red Gums - a significant environmental outcome for Ausralia.

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Australia has the two largest River Red Gum forests in the world.

The health of the Murray River and its River Red Gum Forests are intrinsically linked - a healthy river needs healthy forests.

However, our River Red Gum Forests are not healthy - in some areas 75% of the trees are already stressed, dead or dying and they are further being degraded by destructive logging and grazing.

The Red Gum forests act as filters for the river - if the New South Wales Government is serious about protecting the health of the Murray River, then it needs to protect our River Red Gums. Often referred to as 'The Kakadu of the South' these forests are also vitally important habitat for a number of threatened and endangered species and play host to many thousands of migratory birds each year. They also attract tourists to the region, who are an important part of the region's economy. Logging, primarily for low values products such as firewood, fence posts and railway sleepers, is destroying the very values that the forests have become famous for. Replacing logging with well managed National Parks will protect the forests, ensure that the Murray retains its filter system and continue to provide vital income to the region. The New South Wales government needs to urgently commit to creating National Parks from our State Forests in full consultation with local traditional owners.

Often referred to as 'The Kakadu of the South', these forests are vitally important habitat for a number of threatened and endangered species - and play host to many thousands of migratory birds each year. Barmah State Forest. Photographer: R. Jung

Replacing logging with National Parks will give these trees a future.