Our Latest News

Family fun day at Hastings Thermal Springs

13/11/2009

Hastings Cave is throwing open the doors to the thermal springs pool for a family fun day on Saturday, 28 November.
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Planned fuel reduction burn in the southwest

29/10/2009

The Parks and Wildlife Service and Forestry Tasmania are conducting a planned burn in the Southwest National Park and on lands managed by Forestry Tasmania today.
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Volunteer Campground Hosts Sought for Cockle Creek

21/10/2009

The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) is seeking people with a passion for the beautiful Cockle Creek area in Tasmania's far south area to be volunteer campground hosts for several weeks during the coming summer.More

Nelson Falls

24. Nelson Falls

time 20 minute return
access Located on the Lyell Highway (A10) between Queenstown and Derwent Bridge. See map
fees Park entry fees apply. (Lake St Clair or Queenstown are the closest places to obtain a pass.)
facilities Picnic and toilet facilities located 33km east at the Franklin River
grade Level 2. Some steps
what to take Group A items, plus lunch and water
cautions Heavy rain can occur in any month
prohibited No pets, firearms or bicycles

These delightful falls are reached after a very easy walk. Break the long drive and stretch your legs; you won’t be disappointed.

Highlights

Along the boardwalk to Nelson Falls you will come across interpretation panels highlighting the ancient plants you see along the way, including at least seven species of fern. Among the forest trees you will discover ancient species that once dominated the Australian landmass, but are now confined to the wetter regions of Tasmania and southeast and eastern mainland Australia. Many of the species of these cool temperate rainforests are only suited to the cool, moist conditions of places such as the Nelson Valley. The species of these rainforests have much in common with the rainforests of New Zealand and South America. Indeed, the ancestors of these plants once flourished on the ancient supercontinent, Gondwana, which comprised today's southern continents. Following the breakup of Gondwana, these species found themselves separated by vast distances. The similarity of the rainforest species of these continents is the legacy of this common origin.