Gordon River
The river flows through untouched rainforest into Macquarie Harbour near Strahan. Boat trips lead upstream to a jetty in the forest, where a short path leads to Huon pines that are several centuries old.
Australia
Tasmanian Wilderness
Region
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area covers approximately one fifth of Tasmania and is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the temperate latitudes.
by Felix Gillen
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area covers approximately one fifth of Tasmania and is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the temperate latitudes. It comprises several national parks, including Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers, Southwest, and Walls of Jerusalem.Rainforests with Myrtle Beech and Huon Pines, glacial lakes, high-altitude moors, and wild rivers define the landscape. Vast areas are only accessible on foot, by boat, or from the air.
The Tasmanian Wilderness, an expansive UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses pristine rainforests, alpine plateaus, and wild rivers in Western Tasmania.Here you'll find iconic destinations such as the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.This region holds a rich Aboriginal history and is a hub for significant conservation movements.It is ideal for extended hikes, such as on the Overland Track, and boat trips on the Gordon River.The best time to visit is from November to April, when the weather is more stable and trail accessibility is ensured.
Sights in Tasmanian Wilderness
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Lake St Clair
The glacial lake at the southern end of the Overland Track is Australia's deepest, at around 160 to 200 m deep. At the Cynthia Bay visitor centre, lakeside trails through eucalyptus and rainforest begin, and a ferry takes hikers to the northern end.
Essen & Trinken
Bar in 3816 Cradle Mountain Rd.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
10–12°C·120–190 mm(heavy rain)
From December to March, the days are long and warmest, the best time for multi-day hikes. In April, the Fagus, Australia's only deciduous tree species, turns golden-yellow. In winter, there is often snow in the highlands.
Conditions for the Cradle Mountain highlands. On the West Coast near Strahan, it is milder; in Hobart, significantly drier.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Summer, Hiking season
Transition, variable
Winter, cold and wet
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12.0 | 150 |
| February | 12.0 | 120 |
| March | 10.0 | 160 |
| April | 8.0 | 210 |
| May | 6.0 | 260 |
| June | 4.0 | 270 |
| July | 3.0 | 320 |
| August | 3.0 | 320 |
| September | 5.0 | 280 |
| October | 7.0 | 250 |
| November | 9.0 | 190 |
| December | 11.0 | 190 |
Culture and History
Palawa and Ice AgeCaves in the southwest show that people lived here as early as the last Ice Age; some sites are over 30,000 years old. The Palawa, Tasmania's Aboriginal people, were forcibly displaced from their land in the 19th century. Their descendants today advocate for the recognition and preservation of cultural sites.Birthplace of the Environmental MovementThe flooding of Lake Pedder by a dam in the 1970s and the dispute over the planned Franklin Dam in the early 1980s made Tasmania the starting point of the Australian environmental movement. In 1983, a Supreme Court ruling halted the Franklin Dam, and the rivers remained free.
Adventures in the Wild
Without a car, the area is hard to explore. The main access points are Cradle Mountain in the north, the Lyell Highway between Hobart and Queenstown with Lake St Clair, and Strahan on the west coast for boat trips on the Gordon River.Park Pass: Required for all Tasmanian National Parks, available as a day or two-month pass.Weather: The west is one of Australia's wettest regions. Snow and storms are possible even in summer.Multi-day Hikes: Register before you start and take an emergency signal device on remote tours.
