Tasmanian Wilderness

Tasmanian Wilderness *
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, Central Highlands
Country	Australia
Type	Mixed
Criteria	iii, iv, vi, vii, viii, ix, x
Reference	507
Region **	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	1982 (6th Session)
Extensions	1989
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO

The Tasmanian Wilderness is a term that is used for a range of areas in Tasmania, Australia.

The World Heritage Areas in South West, Western and Central are the most well known. However, there are also other areas in Tasmania that have the elements of being known as wilderness areas, the Tarkine and the Cradle mountain wilderness. There is also an organisation that has been known as the Tasmanian Wilderness Society.

The World Heritage Area is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia, covering 13,800 km², or almost 20% of Tasmania. The area constitutes one of the last expanses of temperate wilderness in the world, including the renowned South West Wilderness.

Remains found in limestone caves attest to the human occupation of the area for well over 20,000 years.

World Heritage area

The following National Parks and reserves make up the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area:

• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
• Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
• Hartz Mountains National Park
• Mole Creek Karst National Park
• Southwest National Park
• Walls of Jerusalem National Park
• Central Plateau Conservation and Protected Areas
• Devils Gullet State Reserve
• South East Mutton Bird Islet

Bathurst Harbour, South West Tasmania

Lake Pedder from Mount Eliza, Southwest National Park

See also

• Protected areas of Tasmania

External links

• World heritage listing for Tasmanian Wilderness
• Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service site
• Position of World Heritage Area
• UNESCO site