With its vast Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Lutruwita/Tasmania is home to incredibly dark skies. The Southwest Sky Country should be an internationally recognised Dark Sky Sanctuary! Find out where it is and what is being done.
The Crescent Moon over Lake Oberon in the Western Arthur Range. Main image above: the Aurora Australis over Mount Anne. Photographs by Luke Tscharke. Geographically isolated, night time in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is incredibly dark, unspoilt by light pollution. This is especially so in the Southwest National Park, where ecological function remains as it always has been, unimpeded by artificial light.
Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal People’s connections to milaythina wurangkili (Sky Country) hold important teachings about place and spirituality. Protecting the night—liwari in palawa kani—from light pollution is critical to the environment, wildlife and our wellbeing.
It's time the crystal clear dark skies of Southwest Sky Country were recognised and protected for good. In this guide to the Southwest Sky Country, find out more about the importance of Dark Sky Sanctuaries and how the Tasmanian government can and should protect the night skies of south west Lutruwita.
You'll also find out what wildlife thrives in the dark skies here, from Tasmanian devils to Masked owls, not to mention glowing fungi, glowworms and bioluminescent plankton.
