Getting to the Point
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Walls of Jerusalem National Park Recreation Zone Plan 2013 Walls of Jerusalem National Park Draft Recreation Zone Plan 2013 This draft Recreation Zone Plan has been prepared under the provisions of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan 1999, which is a management plan prepared in accordance with the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002. It aims to describe current and emerging issues and identify and provide for the appropriate level of facilities, management, interpretation, and commercial use of the Walls of Jerusalem area. The Tasmanian Reserve Management Code of Practice 2003 specifies appropriate standards and practices for new activities in reserves which have been approved through project planning and assessment processes. It also provides best practice operational standards. The Guiding Principles and Basic Approach specified in the Tasmanian Reserve Management Code of Practice 2003 have been adopted in the development of this recreation zone plan and will be applied in the conduct of operational management activities. Acknowledgement Many people have assisted in the preparation of this plan with ideas, feedback and information. Their time and effort is gratefully acknowledged. ISBN 978-0-9875827-0-6 (print version) ISBN 978-0-9875827-1-3 (pdf version) © Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 2013 Cover image: Overview of the Central Walls area from Solomons Throne. Photo: Chris Emms Published by: Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 1751 Hobart TAS 7001 Cite as: Parks and Wildlife Service (2013), Walls of Jerusalem Draft Recreation Zone Plan, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. i Walls of Jerusalem National Park Recreation Zone Plan 2013 Contents 1. Visitor Experience Statement ................................................................................................................1 2. Summary ........................................................................................................................................................3 3. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................5 Background .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Location, plan area and access ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Overarching objectives ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 4. Current situation ........................................................................................................................................8 Walls of Jerusalem values ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Usage and Visitor Characteristics ............................................................................................................................ 12 Existing facilities .................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Existing recreational impacts ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Education and Interpretation ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Adjacent areas .................................................................................................................................................................... 23 5. Future recreation management ......................................................................................................... 24 Overall strategy .................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Camping areas .................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Walking tracks ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Biosecurity ............................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Fires ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Commercial Visitor Services Operators ............................................................................................................. 30 Groups (non-commercial) ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Education and Interpretation ..................................................................................................................................... 31 6. Monitoring and evaluation ................................................................................................................... 34 7. Information Sources and Glossary .................................................................................................... 36 8. Appendices ................................................................................................................................................ 39 Appendix 1 Management context .................................................................................................................... 39 Appendix 2 The Reserves Standards Framework ................................................................................... 42 Appendix 3 Track Classification Scheme ...................................................................................................... 51 Appendix 4 Key Desired Outcomes, Indicators & Effectiveness Monitoring ......................... 55 Appendix 5 Implementation schedule ........................................................................................................... 58 ii Walls of Jerusalem National Park Recreation Zone Plan 2013 1. Visitor Experience Statement The Walls of Jerusalem is a majestic place in the heart of an alpine wilderness, and part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Unlike Tasmania’s other alpine national parks, this park is roadless, yet still relatively accessible. This makes it an adventure destination suited to a wide range of self-reliant, active travellers who are attracted to its wild beauty, its remoteness and the exotic biblically-named landmarks. The ancient pencil pine forests of the Walls of Jerusalem with their grassy understorey are not found as extensively anywhere else in the world. Some pencil pines live up to 1,200 years. They form one of the lasting memories that visitors will take with them. They exist on a tenuous foothold in this wildfire free area. Keeping fire out of this stunning place will require visitors to treat the area with reverence as, without special care and consideration, the Walls of Jerusalem will be changed forever. After a steep walk in, visitors are rewarded with scenic vistas that mix the ancient pencil pine forests, mounds of green cushion plants, chains of alpine lakes and imposing dolerite peaks. The renowned central Walls area, including King Davids Peak, Solomons Throne and the Temple, can be variously shrouded in mist, blanketed in snow or standing stark against a blue sky. Standing in this place carved out by the passage of glaciers, visitors can imagine what it might have been like for the Aboriginal people of this area thousands of years ago, travelling through and living off the land, in a scene largely unchanged to the present day. The area’s historic huts remind visitors of Tasmania’s more recent heritage and the stories of snarers and cattlemen. In their footsteps, adventurous anglers seek some of the wildest trout in the world. 1 Walls of Jerusalem National Park Recreation Zone Plan 2013 There are different attractions throughout the year. In summer, blankets of scoparia are in spectacular bloom across the valleys. Wombats, wallabies, and other wildlife are abundant and will thrill those not familiar with Australia’s unique animals. Deciduous beech turns the hills golden in some areas during autumn. In winter, travel by skis or snowshoes is sometimes possible on a thick cover of snow. Visitors to the Walls are generally self-reliant and will be able to choose from a variety of destinations and routes for bushwalking, depending on their preferences and levels of experience. Visitors’ experiences are designed to be compatible with the sensitive natural and heritage values of the park. Visitors can choose from a variety of destinations and routes, but most stay at the overnight campsites at Wild Dog Creek and Dixons Kingdom area. Both these campsites are designed to minimise impact