ForestryTas.com.au News and Topics

Episode 2 - Going Bush

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

In Episode Two of Going Bush the boys investigate the future of timber production … not using a crystal ball but armed with Forestry Tasmania’s Innovation Plan.

The on-going challenge of getting more from less has Forestry Tasmania looking further into maximising returns from its resource by increasing recovery rates from logs and investigating a range of new engineered timber products and rayon production for clothing.

On the other side of Bass Strait they hear a scientific explanation of how the rare long-footed poteroo likes the regenerating forests of East Gippsland just as much as untouched bushland.

And, indulging their passion for all things fishing, they make a nostalgic visit to Bermagui, not to wet a line, but to see how the controversial harvesting of a nearby forest has resulted in the creation of a new focal point for the town.

The natural log pillars and timber cladding and decks, milled just down the road at Eden, of the Bermagui Fishermen’s Co-op underline the South Coast’s joint heritage of timber getting and fishing.

Don’t forget to enter the weekly prize draw by watching and entering the weekly codeword www.goingbush.tv

Congratulations to this week’s winners:
Shirleen Ferris, Hyland Park NSW
Scott Chiffey, Claremont TAS
Dean, Hazelwood NTH VIC
Melissa Loring, New Town TAS
Kenneth Bull, Taree NSW
Jason Smith, Sisters Beach TAS
Allan Crothers, Wodonga VIC
Anne Allen, Mowbray TAS
Kirsten Gibson, Camperdown VIC
Kevin Price, Bicheno TAS

Tasmania & NT
Sunday 12 February on Southern Cross 5:30pm

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, A.C.T & South Australia
TBA

Strategic Review of Forestry Tasmania

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Click here to read the report.

Forest management in Tasmania - the Truth

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Forestry Tasmania has released a detailed report titled Forest management in Tasmania - the Truth. It is regrettable to have to devote staff resources to counteracting the misinformation being used by anti forestry activists to hurt forest products' markets internationally.

The report corrects over 50 of the serious errors and omissions found in the propaganda being circulated by Markets for Change and the Huon Valley Environment Centre in the United Kingdom and in Japan. Forestry Tasmania staff have done a great job in putting the report together, and searching out the evidence to refute the more outlandish claims made by these activists.

The full report can be downloaded <click here>, below is a summary of some of the key allegations the report refutes:

· Ta Ann Tasmania sources timber from old growth forests.
FACT: Ta Ann Tasmania's machinery is not engineered to process old growth timber. Accordingly, Forestry Tasmania supplies regrowth billets under its wood supply agreement. Right To Information documents sourced by the Greens (not the Huon Valley Environment Centre, as claimed) confirm that, of 500 coupes listed as providing resource to Ta Ann, all contained regrowth.

· Timber from high conservation value forests has been supplied to Ta Ann.
FACT: Ta Ann has not been supplied with any timber from independently verified high conservation value forests. The Conservation Agreement between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments and Forestry Tasmania has confirmed that harvesting may take place in just 0.5 per cent of the 430,000-hectare interim reserve area declared under the Intergovernmental Agreement, while the independent verification process continues.

· Forestry Tasmania is supplying Ta Ann with the equivalent of 88 per cent of the legislated minimum sawlog requirement of 300,000 cubic metres per annum.
FACT: Forestry Tasmania categorically does not supply high quality sawlogs to Ta Ann Tasmania. It supplies peeler billets, which were formerly classed as pulpwood arising from the sawlog harvest.

· Forestry Tasmania is supplying Ta Ann with timber at a lower price than it could access in Malaysia or Indonesia.
FACT: Ta Ann Tasmania pays a premium for peeler billets compared to their value as pulpwood, which is the alternative use.

· Timber supply to Ta Ann comes from the destruction of globally renowned forest.
FACT: There is no deforestation on Tasmanian state forest. All harvested areas are regrown - so well in fact that regenerated forests are now claimed by ENGOs as having high conservation value.

Forest Fun Day

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Forestry Tasmania's Forest Fun Day was another successful event with over 400 people attending to participate in a range of both fun and educational activities hosted by Forestry staff.

The feedback was fantastic – a taste of which is below, from two visitors who wrote emails to express their appreciation:

Hi Melanie - we attended the forest fun day today and I was so impressed I thought you might like some feedback. Having been to many museum programmes, council programmes both here and in NZ I'd have to say this was the most well planned open day I have been to. The kids loved it and the time spent planning was well worth it - the stamping system meant that the kids really needed to invest themselves in a bit of listening and it was great that they had to work to achieve them. The abseil of course was the highlight.

Thanks to you guys for the opportunity for my kids to access hands on forest learning.

Really cool,
Chantelle

And

Hi there,

Just a quick email to say THANKYOU so much! We attended yesterday’s event and it was awesome – the kids had a great time, learnt heaps and were stoked with their show bags! Congratulations on running such a well organised and interesting event – can’t really believe it was free!

Please thank the staff who were involved – they were fantastic people.

Kind regards

Denise

Conservation Agreement signed

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The signing of the Conservation Agreement provides certainty to Forestry Tasmania, FT employees, contractors and customers, while the independent verification of ENGO proposed high conservation value forests continues under the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement.

The Board of Forestry Tasmania decided that the Agreement should be signed after being satisfied that FT would still be in a position to meet its legal, contractual, fiduciary and environmental obligations.

Importantly, Forestry Tasmania will be able to maintain supply to sawmills and processors, protecting those businesses and their employees.

Hopefully, the Agreement will provide clarification and reassurance to international markets, which have been subjected to attack from green groups.

The Conservation Agreement confirms FT's previous advice that harvesting in a number of coupes within the 430,000 hectares will be required during the independent verification process, if FT is to continue to honour its legally enforceable wood supply agreements.

However, Forestry Tasmania had previously estimated that it would require 10 to 15 coupes per month within the 430,000 hectares. When the Conservation Agreement was extended from beyond December to June 30, that meant there would have been 60 additional coupes required. Through the hard work of FT planners, the number of coupes has been reduced to 12 - or three a month.

In total, these coupes represent less than half of one per cent of the total area identified for interim protection.

FT believes the Agreement is an equitable outcome for all stakeholders. It provides a clear ‘road map’ that allows all signatories to move forward during this period.

Conservation Agreement
Acting Premier’s media statement
Tony Burke’s media statement

Teenager’s death remembered by mates

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

A moving commemoration of a young forester, killed fighting the East Coast fires in 2007, was attended by more than 50 family, friends and colleagues in the bush near Mathinna five years to the day after the tragic event.

Photo L to R: Robyn Orr with Natalie Brown and Dean Sheehan congratulated by Stuart Orr flank a portrait and plaque unveiled as part of the commemoration on the fifth anniversary of Tom Orr’s death.

19-year old Tom Orr was described as a popular laid back young bloke who turned out day after day through the long dry summer to fight the fire that took 41 days to beat.

He died after being hit by a falling tree near the very end of the battle.

The informal ceremony was held at a spot Forestry Tasmania dedicated as the Tom Orr Memorial Forest Grove.

In conjunction with the Australian Workers’ Union, FT has introduced an annual award in Tom's memory to recognise career development in forestry.

FT General Manager Operations Steve Whiteley said it was a fitting award to encourage people to continue training throughout their careers.

“Tom was treading a path tried and true for many valued forestry workers. It was his intention to start his Certificate IV under Forestry Tasmania’s sponsorship.

“So in his tragically short life Tom Orr provided an exemplary pathway for young entrants to the forest industry.
“Last year it was decided to broaden the scope beyond just those doing formal traineeships, in recognition that training towards Certificate IV is available across our workforce and we encourage an attitude of life-long training.”

Mr Whiteley along with AWU secretary Ian Wakefield and Tom’s parents Robyn and Stuart Orr congratulated joint winners of the 2012 Tom Orr Memorial Award for career development Natalie Brown and Dean Sheehan.

Mr Whiteley told the audience the recipients had come from dramatically different backgrounds – Natalie from an administrative office environment to attain her Certificate IV in forest growing and management and Dean, having started in the field as a trainee technical forester, developed his managerial skills.

“Both have a no-nonsense approach to their job and both have made considerable investments of their own time to further their lot. Today’s recognition is some reward for that.

“Through a district sponsored traineeship Natalie has excelled in the practical components of her certificate at the same times as performing her usual administrative roles.

“Dean was among the first Tasmanian contingent to go to Victoria to help with the Black Saturday wildfires and since then he has completed an advanced leadership incident program through the Victorian Department of Sustainable Environment.

“Off his own bat he’s also completed a diploma of management and is half way through a graduate certificate in business through the University of Tasmania.

“Together they present fantastic examples for colleagues.

“Congratulations NATALIE BROWN and DEAN SHEEHAN.”

Renewable energy from wood pellets

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

In other news, German-owned, UK-based energy company RWE npower has announced the Tilbury power station, which will be Britain's largest biomass plant, will commence operations by the end of this month.

Hollybank harvest to finally fulfill racket plan

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Eighty years on, a tree planted to provide feed stock for a Launceston tennis racket factory is about to achieve its purpose.

The Alexander Patent Racket Company, which once employed 190 people, has long gone out of business and the plantation of English Ash trees established to provide timber for its product has become one of Forestry Tasmania’s most popular recreation reserves.

Planting undertaken by the Ash Plantations company in the early 1930s was carried out with some fanfare and expectations at Hollybank.

A prospectus spruiked returns of many millions of dollars in today’s values. However, despite windbreaks of pines and other exotic species growing well, the ash trees did not thrive in soil found later to be too acidic.

The project was abandoned in 1950 and the land sold to the Forestry Commission in 1956.

Local historian and author Gus Green deals in part with the saga in his book What A Racket! – a history of the racket factory, which is now the home of the Police-Citizens Youth Club.

Photo: Historian Gus Green surveys his trophy tree at Hollybank … still standing with Forest Planner Lee Tunstall.

Mr Green’s passion for local history and family connection to the factory provided the impetus for a project to build a display cabinet and trophies for the building as part of the National Trust’s Heritage Month in May.

“What we want to have is a cabinet to show off some of the building’s memorabilia and I thought it would be nice to have some of the ash trees used to make it.”

Mr Green approached Forestry Tasmania to see if a tree could be found.

An inspection of Hollybank by planner Lee Tunstall identified an appropriate tree, which, having some apparent rot, also presented a potential danger to visitors.

It was duly felled by forest worker Christian Kettle and delivered to Morgans sawmill for processing.

Along with the cabinet Mr Green also hatched a plan to manufacture at least a couple of tennis rackets from the timber as well.

“The idea would be they could be used to actually play, but they’ll really just be trophies for perhaps Tennis Tasmania’s top junior boy and girl.

“I think it’s wonderful that the wood will actually be used to make what it was originally intended for.”

Photo: Forest worker Christian Kettle who felled the tree with Historian Gus Green.

Deliberate fire risks catastrophe

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

A torched stolen vehicle sparked a wildfire that could have created havoc just east of Launceston last week.

Forestry Tasmania fire crews spent most of the day extinguishing and blacking out the blaze off Excalibur Road near Hollybank Forest Reserve at Underwood.

The incident controller, Peter Johnstone, said but for calm conditions at the time and a quick response by a volunteer fire service brigade the result could have been much worse than the one hectare the fire was contained to.

Just across the road and closer to the city is a mature pine plantation and to the west is State and private forest to the outskirts of Lilydale.

Police had confirmed the small tipper truck had been stolen and Mr Johnstone presumes the occupants were probably in the area to illegally cut firewood when the vehicle’s tray seemed to have got stuck on a stump.

Mr Johnstone said cutting firewood without appropriate permits was one thing, but to risk property and lives in a wildfire was another level of irresponsibility.

With the prospect of a lengthy period of dry weather residents particularly in rural or bush areas should be extra vigilant for suspicious or unusual behaviour and be prepared to report it to authorities.

One Community, One Lunchbox, 400 Futures

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

On Friday 25th November 400 students and adults in the Huon district joined together in celebration for One Community, One Lunchbox, 400 Futures.

The event, supported by the Forestry Tasmania Community Assist program, saw Dover District High School, Geeveston District High School, Franklin Primary School, and Glen Huon Primary School combine for a shared lunch to celebrate the achievements of each school.

All are small local schools with less than 120 students each and facing pressure due to their low numbers. One Community, One Lunchbox, 400 Futures was a joint initiative between the schools to create a sense of unity in the community and foster a sense of pride and belonging in the students.

Long term the event aims to build a single, strong community based on small towns and caring individuals, of which these students are the youngest residents.

On the day each student was provided with a lunch box containing a salad wrap, yoghurt, tin of salmon, piece of fruit, salmon burger and water, promoting healthy lifestyles and food options.

Darcy Vickers from the Forest Education Foundation is pictured teaching students correct use of a clinometer used to measure vertical angles.

Activities on the day included sports, face painting, jumping castles and educational activities provided by the Forest Education Foundation and teachers from each of the schools.

The One Community, One Lunchbox, 400 Futures event was sponsored by Forestry Tasmania through the Community Assist program.

The program assists individuals and organisations that make their communities better places to live and who share Forestry Tasmania core values.

Forestry Tasmania Highly Commended in Tasmanian Water Environment Merit Awards

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Former Forestry Tasmania project officer Erin Trainer was highly commended earlier this week by the Australian Water Association Tasmania for her research and development of the floating rising stage sampler, used to monitor streams pre and post pesticide use.

The Governor His Excellency Justice Peter Underwood presented the commendation at the Tasmanian Water Environment Merit Awards where Forestry Tasmania's project was among three shortlisted for the award.

FT regulates its pesticide use with a water quality monitoring program designed to detect pesticides when they are most likely to be present in streams.

The floating rising stage sampler was developed in response to concern that staff are not always able to respond to rainfall events in time to collect a water sample when stream flow is elevated by rainfall.

Current rising stage samplers available on the market are fixed in position and often not effective if water levels fall after pesticides have been applied. Subsequent rainfall events may not elevate the water level sufficiently for a water sample to be automatically collected.

Forestry Tasmania's innovative samplers are designed to fall with receding water levels, so that they are ready to collect a water sample whenever stream flow is increased by a small amount of rainfall. This increases the chances of detecting pesticides if they are present in runoff from plantations, with resultant improvement in practices and outcomes.

National Ride to Work Day

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

For the fourth consecutive year Forestry Tasmania Head Office has won the Ride to Work award in the National Workplace Challenge for the Tasmanian 100 - 250 employee category.

Historically FT has had a high participation rate and this year was no different with up to 35 riders joining in on Ride to Work Day across the state.

The award indicates both a large contingent of riders amongst head office staff, and a healthy and active workforce.

It was great to have participation from outside head office for the first time, with northern districts getting in on the pedal power.

Forestry Tasmania ride to work team posing for a quick photo at Mawsons Place, Hobart , and in Scottsdale, after their morning’s journey.




Photo above: Bob Knox left and Peter Bird heading out from the Forest EcoCentre at Scottsdale to celebrate National Ride to Work Day.

Sale of softwood JV

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Taswood Growers, of which Forestry Tasmania is a 50 per cent share holder, has agreed to sell the forestry rights to its 46,000 hectare plantation estate to the Sydney based firm New Forests for $156 million.

The deal, which we expect to be finalised early next month subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval, will enable Forestry Tasmania to significantly reduce debt and put the organisation's balance sheet in a strong position to face the challenges associated with the re-structuring of the forest industry.

It is a logical extension of the decision FT took in 1999 to sell a half share in the largely softwood plantation estate and enter into a joint venture with GMO Resources. The Taswood Growers joint venture has been a commercial success for the past 12 years. .
In May this year, FT established a board sub-committee with terms of reference to test the market to see if an appropriate price for Forestry Tasmania's 50 per cent share in the softwood joint venture could be achieved. When it became clear there was market interest in the estate, Taswood Growers appointed investment banker Morgan Stanley to conduct a sale process for the whole estate.. Morgan Stanley contacted a wide range of parties to determine interest.

An Information Memorandum was sent to those who qualified and they were invited to submit Indicative Bids in Stage one. Based on those bids, a number of parties were invited to undertake due diligence and to submit a final proposal. New Forests, a Sydney based firm, which already has substantial forest holdings in Australia was our preferred buyer.

By going through this process, we were able to achieve a price consistent with a valuation provided in June by independent experts James W Sewall.

So what does this mean for the community? It means a financially stronger FT with an improved capacity to see through and assist with the industry re-structuring. We have now the opportunity to become, with the exception of superannuation liabilities, debt free.

The transaction is for the trees only. The land will remain owned by Forestry Tasmania. New Forests will establish, maintain and harvest the estate, which is mainly in northern Tasmania until the forestry rights expire in 2069.

The plantation estate will continue to supply the state of the art sawmill at Bell Bay, pulpwood for Norske Skog and a range of other processors. There will be negligible employment impacts.

New Forests (www.newforests.com.au) manages investments in sustainable forestry and associated environmental markets, such as carbon, biodiversity, and water, for institutional and other qualified wholesale investors. New Forests executes three investment strategies that provide clients with diversity and choice around risk-adjusted returns, geography, and market exposure: sustainable timberland investment in Australia and New Zealand; forestry investment in high-growth markets of the Asia Pacific region;and conservation real estate and environmental markets investment in the United States. The company is headquartered in Sydney with offices in Singapore and San Francisco.

New Forests satisfied all of the criteria for the sale including a blemish free environmental record, and we wish the firm well in its endeavours.

Media Releases from the Tasmanain State Government and NewForests are available as pdf's below.

NewForests Media Release [199KB]

Tas Govt Media Release [54KB]

Shannon's Blog - Victoria Valley Falls

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

“Hi, I'm Shannon, during the summer of 2011 as a bursary student with Forestry Tasmania, I took the challenge to visit Forestry Tamania's 52 visitor sites.

I hope you enjoy my blogs and are inspired to visit some or all of these places for yourself."

Victoria Valley Falls is a joint venture between Forestry Tasmania; Parks and Wildlife Service; and Wildcare INC. It is located approximately 24km along Victoria Valley Road in Tasmania’s central highlands. To get there, the easiest way is to take the Victoria Valley Road turnoff located in Ouse.

From here the road is sealed for a short distance before changing into a gravel road which takes you through the town of Osterley (which is only really about five houses). Victoria Valley Falls is only a short distance further; you will see a turn off with a Forestry Tasmania sign pointing you in the right direction.

There is a cleared area not far along which I guessed was the car park, and then a 20 minute return walk takes you out to the falls. There is a cleared path, but it hasn’t been well maintained so it is a bit overgrown in some areas. The forest here consists more of wild flowers, and is less green than some of those I have visited in the past with their abundance of man ferns.

After a short walk, you can hear a trickle of water coming from Kenmere Creek which feeds the falls. The waterfalls aren’t very extravagant, and I think I was lucky to see anything at all in summer. This waterfall relies heavily on a good rainfall to keep it running. So I’d suggest the best time to visit would be after a heavy rainfall, possibly in winter or spring.

Don’t get me wrong though, the walk was lovely, with many wild flowers dotted along the track in beautiful colours. Also, if you want a different perspective on the waterfall, you can walk an extra ten minutes to the Victoria Falls Lookout. This track is a little unstable in some areas as it can get quite steep so take care, and I would definitely recommend taking someone with you as there is no phone reception in the area.

Even though the waterfall was only a trickle, it was still really pretty to see, and I had a great day out in the forest. From my experience of undertaking these 52 places, I have really seen the diversity that Tasmania has to offer in regards to its forests; from wet eucalypt rainforests in the south west wilderness, to hidden lakes in the south, and coastal views from the east coasts, it really is a beautiful place, and there is definitely something to be enjoyed by everyone (ok, I know I am getting cheesy now, but the bushwalking stuff is really growing on me).

Next week, I’m off to Mt Puzzler Forest Reserve on Tassie’s east coast, but until then, get out and explore some forests!

GPS Coordinates :

LAT : 42°24'36.14"S
LON : 146°40'45.76"E

Click here to view in Google Earth!

Always check our road and track closure information before setting off on your journey (click here)

Travelling Details

Hobart to Mt Field National Park - 76km
National Park to Maydena - 9km
Maydena to Styx Big Tree Reserve - 17km
Maydena to Lake Gordon (& Wedge Nature Walk) - 38km

Upcoming forestry talk

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Thomas Francis Meagher: a political exile in Van Diemen's Land

Dr Dianne Snowdon
Chair, Heritage Council

Denise Gaughwin
Manager, Cultural Heritage
Forest Practices Authority

Following an incident known as the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848 Meagher was arrested, tried and convicted for sedition, and exiled to Van Diemen’s Land. (Image courtesy of Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office.)

Where: National Forest Learning Centre
Forestry Tasmania
79 Melville St Hobart

When: Wednesday, 18 Jan 2012

Time: 1 pm (approx 30 minute presentation)

Bookings are advisable for larger groups
Phone 1800 Forest or (click here) to reserve a seat.

Shannon's Blog - Mt Barrow Discovery Trail

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Mt Barrow Discovery Trail and Visitors Centre can be accessed via the Tasman Highway from either the Scottsdale or Launceston end. To get there you follow the Tasman Highway to Nunamara and then turn off on Binghams Road just near the Nunamara General Store.

The Discovery Trail was officially launched in 2004 and allows you to take a step back in time and gain an insight into forestry life as far back as the mid 1800s. Since then, around six sawmills have operated in this area. As you work your way along the 24km loop drive, you can see evidence of past civilisations and the tools used to move the logs.

The drive is a one way loop and for safety reasons it is best to follow the red directional arrows as the road can get quite narrow in some places making it hard to pass oncoming traffic. In general, while the road is gravel, it is quite smooth and you should have no problems in a car.

There are many opportunities to stop and take a look around, or walk through the forest. To get an idea of what to expect, or the different sites available, you should first stop at the information shelter at the beginning of the drive. The next stop is a lookout and I think the locals refer to it as Max’s Lookout after a local man who was involved in the project. When I went up the sky was a bit hazy, but I have heard on a clear day you can see out to the Tamar River in Launceston (so I have heard). Here there is also an interpretive board which names the mountains you can see.

A bit further along is the Horse Trough Walk. I didn’t do this one myself but I am told that it follows a track which was cleared to assist the horses who pulled the logs through the bush after they had been felled. It eventually leads to an old horses trough (hence the name) and is only 15 minutes return. Then, if you keep driving along the road you will come to a fork, this is where the loop begins. If you follow the red directional arrow on your left, a sign explains to you about an old sawmill site that used to be here. The North Barrow Mill which was built in 1940 was home to six families- Rattray, Clark, O’Tooles, Wise, Bourk and Padgett. The Padgett family are still a prominent logging family in the area today.

From here you will continue on through myrtle rainforest. In about November this area is a sea of red from the Waratah’s which flourish in this environment; I’m sure it would be a fantastic site to see. Other things to see along the way include, Jubilee Tree which was felled in 1951 and carted to Launceston as part of the Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth 2. There is an interpretive sign and photo which explains a bit about the event.

You can also stop at an old tabletop landing and hut which includes a 20 minute walk, however I continued on to the visitors centre. This is quite well maintained and is a great spot to take in some information about the history of the forest and the flora and fauna found here. There are also toilet facilities and a gas BBQ, plus tables if you plan to stop for lunch.
From the visitors centre I went on the workmen’s hut walk. This leaves from just behind the visitors centre and takes you through the forest to an old workmen’s hut which has been restored. If you take a peek through the window, you can see just how simply the workers used to live with not much more than a bed, table and fire. The hut was originally built in 1948 and also appeared recently on the TV series Going Bush.

Another couple of kilometres along the drive is the Tea Tree Boardwalk. The track here was built with assistance from the Work for the Dole Program. While it should be a loop walk, it hasn’t quite been finished but is still worth 20 minutes of your time. The boardwalk crosses Weavers Creek and there is a tree which has what looks like a trough carved into it. This hole was actually used back in past decades by workers to wash. Also along this walk you can see the old tramway which the logs were rolled along to get to the sawmill. If this is something which particularly interests you there is a separate ‘Tramline Walking Track’ which gives you a closer look and better interpretation, and is only 15 minutes return.

Between these two walks (Teatree and Tramline) along the road to your right you can see three tree stumps. These stumps are evidence of three separate harvestings in the same area. I can’t remember the dates of these exactly; however, I do know the first one was done with a crosscut saw and the next two by chainsaw (and this was the first site in Tasmania to ever be felled with a chainsaw). By looking at the area, it really shows you how resilient the forest is, it has been harvested three times and is has now once again grown back.

As you can tell there really is a lot to see and learn on this self-guided tour through the heritage rich Mt Barrow. If you are in the north east, it really is a lovely spot to call into and is only half an hour from Launceston. I hope my information is useful, however if you get stuck, the Scottsdale EcoCentre are a fantastic resource for local knowledge.

Important Visitor Information

CAUTION: the Mt Barrow Discovery Trail is along gravel roads please drive to these conditions.

This is a working forest - log trucks are a regular feature along the Mt Barrow Discovery Trail. The Discovery Trail is designed as a ONE WAY LOOP please follow the directional arrows and do not back track.

Weather on the mountain can change at anytime, with snow a possibility. Suitable clothing advisable.

GPS Coordinates :

LAT : 41°22'42.75"S
LON : 147°25'30.29"E

Click here to view in Google Earth!

For more places to visit (click here)

Always check our road and track closure information before setting off on your journey (click here)

Travel Details

Information Shelter - start of 24km Discovery Trail. Trip meters can be reset to 0 here.

Lookout - views overlooking St Patricks River and other points of interest.
Horse Trough Walk - section of a snig track cleared to assist horses pulling logs. 15 min. return walk.
Sawmill Site - North Barrow Mill built c.1940 to mill high altitude Eucalyptus delegetensis. Six families (Rattray, Clarke, O'Tooles, Wise, Bourk and Padgett) lived in on this site.
Myrtle Rainforest - Callindendrous rainforest refugia.
Running through this forest is the section of an original hand built road.
Jubilee Tree - felled and carted to Launceston as part of the 1951 Jubilee Celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.
Tabletop Landing & Hut - a landing is where logs are loaded for carting (either by horse or motorised vehicle depending onthe era) to local sawmills. 20 min. return walk.
Visitor Centre - interpretative information on the cultural history, flora and fauna found on Mt Barrow. Facilities includegas BBQ, open fireplace, tables and toilets.
Workmen's Hut - 20 min. return walk from Visitor Centre is a restored bush workers' hut originally built c.1948 and loop track.
Tea Tree Boardwalk - walk along Weavers Creek through tea tree and rainforest. 20 min. return walk.
Tramline Walking Track - tramline constructed c.1946 to cart logs to old North Barrow Mill. Tramlines were built from round spar sleepers with slots cut into the tram rails to fit the sleepers in, so that the rails did not dislodge when locomotives carted logs. 15 min. return walk.

Community Assist Schools Triathlon Challenge continues to grow

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Tasmania's largest triathlon/multi-sport event has grown even bigger and better again in 2011 with another record number of school students registering to take part in the event.

Organiser Tim Smith and World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist Rower Anthony Edwards today launched The Community Assist Schools Triathlon Challenge that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Now in its fourth year, event organiser Tim Smith said the event has grown so rapidly it now boasts a record 2,852 school students from 96 different schools.

"We started with 1,861 students participating in the first challenge in 2008, and now with an over 35 per cent increase in participation since the inaugural event, it is testament to schools really embracing the event's philosophy of adopting healthy, active lifestyles.

"The event consists of swim, bike and run legs, with all students being encouraged to simply participate in physical activity, regardless of previous experience or sporting ability.

Mr Smith said the challenge encourages students who do not regularly participate in sporting events to have a go and personally challenge themselves.

"This year students are travelling from Riverside, Devonport, Deloraine, Triabunna, St Helens and many other regional schools which is wonderful as the event is overcoming many of the geographical barriers to participation that these students might normally experience.

"This year will also see the participation of seven students with special needs who will be supported throughout the event by their teacher aides. This will be a wonderful and inspiring part of this year's event".

638 Secondary school students and 2,214 Primary School students will descend on Bellerive this week to take part in the event.

The Schools Triathlon Challenge is sponsored again in 2011 by the Forestry Tasmania Community Assist Program.

The program assists individuals and organisations that make their communities better places to live and who share Forestry Tasmania core values.

The Challenge was chosen to receive sponsorship due to its large-scale community benefit through contribution to sport, health and well being.

Forestry Talk - Presented Online

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

View Dr Sandra Roberts' Forestry Talk presentation "Water use of Eucalyptus Nitens plantations in the Florentine Valley" Online, click here

Shannon's Blog - Mt Wedge Track and Nature Trail

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Keen to conquer some more of these 52 places, I got some friends together and piled into the car one Saturday morning. The weather was looking great and the forecast suggested sunshine all weekend.

We headed up through New Norfolk, along the Lyell Highway, passing through some quaint country towns like Westerway and Maydena. If you love summer fruits, there are plenty of stalls and orchards along this drive to stop off at. I must say I can’t go past fresh raspberries and cherries, and the locals are lovely, showing a great community vibe.

Maydena is located just 75 minutes north west of Hobart, and is the last point of service for everything. Maydena Adventure Hub offers great hospitality, coffee and is the last place to refuel before heading out into the south-west Wilderness. They also have toilets, and now would be a great time for a toilet stop.

From Maydena it’s about a 20 minute drive to the Mt Wedge Nature Trail. The drive is lovely, and from the group of motorbikes outside Maydena Adventure Hub, I am guessing that it is a fantastic ride on a motorbike. It’s very scenic with many rock formations and mountain ranges in view including; The Needles, Tim Shea, Mt Anne, Mt Wedge and the Coronets.

Mt Wedge was our destination, and to get there you follow the Gordon River Road from Maydena until you reach a small pull-off car park with a forestry sign that says ‘Mt Wedge Walk and Nature Trail’. You have to keep your eyes out because it doesn’t exactly jump out at you. If you are unsure, there is an information sign before it, this is just a sign which has a basic map of the road and shows where the different attractions are located along it.

Mt Wedge Walk and Nature Trail, begins in the car park and the nature trail is only about a 15 minute loop walk. It takes you through the wet eucalypt forest, and has informative signs indicating the main species of native flora located in this area. Some of these species include sassafras, stringy-bark, hard waterfern and myrtle. The track is established, but narrow and in some spots you have to climb over fallen logs, it’s not difficult but if you are not up for this I wouldn’t recommend it.

The path is indicated by a series of markers, and if you stick to the track it’s easy to navigate.
Part way through the walk the path comes to a junction, for those who have plenty of time and are well equipped why not take the Mt Wedge walk which takes you up to the top of Mt Wedge. It is a 5 hour return hike, and is not for the faint hearted; but apparently it gives you a fantastic view over south-west Tasmania with all the mountain ranges.

The walk was lovely, and nice and refreshing in the cool temperate rainforest. Gordon River Road continues out onto Lake Pedder and Strathgordon and is a lovely drive if you have the time. However, Strathgordon is the last place on this road, and to get back home you have to head back through Maydena and Westerway as it comes to a dead end.

For more places to visit (click here)

Always check our road and track closure information before setting off on your journey (click here)

Travelling Details

Hobart to Mt Field National Park - 76km
National Park to Maydena - 9km
Maydena to Styx Big Tree Reserve - 17km
Maydena to Lake Gordon (& Wedge Nature Walk) - 38km

Back to nature, with technology

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

CEO of Tourism Tasmania, Tony Mayell launched Hollybank’s new Segway tours experience in the North of the state on Monday.

Click to watch the ABC interview and see Segways in action.

The new Hollybank Forest Adventure uses the revolutionary Segway transport to let participants experience the Hollybank Reserve at ground level.

Hollybank manager, Peter During, said the site is evolving to become an outstanding integrated visitor experience encompassing the entire reserve.

“The history, flora, fauna and usage have always reflected our shared values, as a community, and for those visiting the area.

“Over the generations, visitors to this superb region have attributed a range of benefits to Hollybank, including recreation, education, timber production and heritage.

“To complement our existing picnic facilities, walking tracks, Visitor Centre, native forests and Treetops Adventure, we have introduced the Segway PT to our adventure forest mix.”

Mr During said the two-wheeled, self balancing, off road adventure vehicles, used extensively by the military and law protection services, are a must for the individual who is wanting to experience both a new mode of transport and the perspective of the forests from this quiet and revolutionary vehicle.

“The tour combines the adrenaline rush of the Segway PT ride and an informative and highly entertaining outlook of the forest.

“The two hour tour conducted by experienced guides, consists of an exhilarating glide on tracks that have been established on the forest floor, a remarkable place from which to enjoy the wonders of the spectacular environment.

“The addition of the Segway tours to the Hollybank Reserve fits perfectly with our philosophy of access, activity and adventure, as well as a strong ecological and conservation message”

You can book your next forest adventure at: http://adventureforests.com.au\