The Tarkine
The Tarkine Wilderness is 350,000 hectares in size. It is hugely diverse extending from thundering west coast beaches, through giant sand dunes, across rolling button grass plains, to towering eucalypt forests and into lush temperate rainforests.
The Tarkine includes Australia's largest track of temperate rainforest, and is the home for many spectacular creatures including the giant freshwater crayfish. This animal can weigh up to 4kg and grows up to 1 metre in length.
Due to difficulty in accessing The Tarkine this area offers refuge to threatened species such as the Goshawk and Wedge tail Eagle. Animals in decline elsewhere, like the Long-nosed Potoroo, Swamp Antechinus, Hooded Plover and the Brown-striped frog are also protected. It is an important part of the migratory path of the rare Orange-bellied and Swift Parrots.
The name 'Tarkine' is derived from the name of the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area, the Tarkiners. There are over 240 recorded Aboriginal sites including centuries old middens. As well as being of archaeological importance, these sites have educational, spiritual and cultural values for Tasmania's current Aboriginal population.
When you visit Dip Falls at Mawbanna, the South Arthur Forestry Reserves or the area south of the Arthur River you will be on the edge of The Tarkine.
Wilderness to West Coast Tours operate guided 4WD tours of The Tarkine or if you take the 'Western Explorer' road from Arthur River to Strahan, you will be driving through The Tarkine.
Everything you need to know to plan your holiday in Stanley, Tasmania
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