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01500001250500,000 ,000 Meters Meters
Region: Southern Tasmania
Experience: Forest, swamp
Suggested time: Loop walk – 20 minutes
Loop walk distance: 1.5km
Difficulty: Moderate
This is an easy walk through deep rainforest, huge eucalypts and a small wetland. This short loop around the base of the soaring Eucalyptus regnans tree, known as Twisted Sister, takes you on an enchanting tour of some of the State’s finest southern forest features. In Tasmania, E. regnans are commonly known as swamp gum or giant ash.
As you weave through the rainforest understorey of myrtle-beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) and sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum), inhale the latter’s fragrance, which has been described as nutmeg-, cinnamon- and sarsaparilla-like! Keep eyes peeled for vibrant lichen and candy-coloured fungi camped on mossy trunks and boulders. And look skyward – through a distant, lacy canopy – to gain a sense of just how vast this primeval forest is. With luck, you might just spy a Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle or white goshawk, both of which nest in the Florentine Valley. www.et.org.au Twisted Sister Track
Twisted Sister and the wild area surrounding it are still standing because of the tireless efforts of groups, such as Still Wild Still Threatened and The Florentine Protection Society. These groups coordinated Tasmania’s longest running blockade site, which was maintained continuously for an extraordinary six and a half years.
The winged benches at the head of the Twisted Sister Track were designed and fabricated by artist Gerhard Mausz. Their design was inspired by the forest’s abundant bird life, and the campaign that defended the riches surrounding them: the wings serve as a fitting metaphor for protection.
The winged benches were supported through funding from the Australian Government’s Community Heritage and Icons Grants program.
You will find a special excerpt from Australian writer Anna Krien’s book, Into the Woods, on the interpretation panel at the head of this track.
Getting there
´´ From Hobart, travel through New Norfolk and on to Maydena via Bushy Park, Westerway and past Mt Field National Park. When you reach Maydena (90 km from Hobart) set odometer to zero. Continue through Maydena on the Gordon River Road. You will soon pass a sign indicating the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. ´´ The Timbs Track carpark is located 21km from Maydena. ´´ From the carpark walk along Timbs Track for five minutes, when you will reach a sign to the left.
Further resources
ÄÄ Tasmania Fire Service Alerts Map ÄÄ Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings for Tasmania ÄÄ Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania – Before You Walk
This track was upgraded through project work by Environment Tasmania in partnership with Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. Thank www.et.org.au you to all the paid professionals and This project is supported by Environment Tasmania, volunteers involved. through funding from the Australian Government.