Gold rush in Tasmania
VISITORS are flocking to Tasmania to discover “gold”. Much of Tasmania is covered in pristine forests and with the arrival of autumn, several parts of Australia’s island state starts changing colour from vivid rust red to shimmering gold. The star attraction with the most brilliant colours is a tree known as Nothofagus gunnii (simply called fagus by the locals) and the “turning of the fagus” from late April to May is one of the most amazing natural sights in a country well-known for its green assets.
It’s not only tourists who flock to witness this spectacular natural event, but the locals are continually amazed at just how astonishingly beautiful the state’s nature can be.
National parks such as Cradle Mountain and Mount Field are the two main locations for experiencing expansive stands of fagus but there are many other smaller areas.
Fagus is a deciduous beech tree, which means that every autumn, the brilliant green serrated leaves of this species change colour.
Mature fagus trees only grow to a few metres, but the rainbow of colours they take on – from red to golden yellow before cascading to the forest floor to create a natural golden carpet – compensates what they lack in height.
Fagus trees are not only colourfully spectacular, they are also a very important plant as they are indicators of the former supercontinent Gondwanaland.
Scientists believe that the occur- rence of this plant genus in parts of mainland Australia, New Zealand, South America and even Antarctica suggests that they indicate these now separate landmasses were once part of a much larger mass.
Therefore, visitors to Tasmania can step back into a botanical time warp while taking a thrilling walk through accessible forests such as those lining Lake Fenton in Mount Field National Park and the popular Loop Track, which circles Dove Lake in Cradle Mountain National Park.
Cradle Mountain is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the state and no one leaves disappointed. The cool weather, clear skies and pristine environment remind most of just how beautiful nature can be.
The Loop Track is the most popular walk but there are others, with Weidnorfers Forest Walk being an easier option with excellent inter- pretation signs and an all-weather elevated boardwalk to enable access for all visitors.
For visitors who like something more challenging, the steeper walk to Crater Lake is perfect.
Being a natural phenomenon triggered by the vagaries of the weather, autumn varies from place to place and year to year. Therefore, it’s always best to contact the national park to get the latest information on how best to discover “gold”.
The “turning of the fagus” can only be witnessed in Tasmania and proves once again that there’s nothing like Australia for a holiday.
For more details, visit www.discovertasmania.com
For bookings, contact PNL Travel at 03-9284 4859 or visit its booth this Matta Fair at Booth No.2033 (Hall 2), PWTC.