FLORA
The Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) trees are among the most prominent in the Tarkine Rainforest. They can live for hundreds of years and have glossy, dark green leaves. These trees are crucial to the forest’s ecology, providing habitat and food for many species.
The pine-like trees on the track with woody nuts are Tasmanian Native Cypress Pines (Callitris rhomboidea) – the scientific name describes the interesting shape of the nuts quite well! You may also encounter Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos in this area. These fabulous birds mainly eat seeds including gum trees, banksias, hakeas, and grass trees. They also dismember seed cones looking for wood-boring insects. The birds here belong to a subspecies found only in Tasmania (Calyptorhynchus funereus xanthanotus). The King Billy Pine (Athrotaxis selaginoides) also endemic to Tasmania can be found in the cool temperate rainforests like the Tarkine.
The Leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida) trees are well known for their fragrant white flowers, which only bloom in summer. The nectar from leatherwood flowers is a key source for the production of Tasmanian leatherwood honey, which is renowned for its distinct flavour.
Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) trees are the last type of tree worth mentioning. The trees have aromatic bark and glossy, serrated leaves. They are often found in the understory of the Tarkine rainforest.
You will also see many conifer-like trees with long, thin, drooping green branches on the last section of the walk. Depending on the season, these trees may have small, fleshy, red-orange fruits with a green seed embedded in them. These are also known as Native Cherries (Exocarpus cupressiformis) which are edible when ripe. Give one a try when you are there! They really are quite tasty.
You will likely see many Banksias in flower on the Tasman Peninsula. These are Silver Banksias (B. marginata – also found in VIC, NSW, ACT, and SA). They may grow up to 9m in height but will start to produce flowers as soon as they are over 1m tall. Silver Banksias are significant producers of nectar for birds and insects in this region. You will hear the “eee-gypt” call of the Crescent Honeyeater around the Banksias.
FAUNA
The Tasman Peninsula is a haven for wildlife from the tiniest of Pygmy possums to wombats, Seals, Whales, Dolphins, Tasmanian Devils and wallabies.
Long-Nosed Fur Seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) are becoming more common in the area now they are not hunted. Approx. 75 – 100 individuals may be hauled out here. During the 1800s, these fur seals were hunted almost to extinction for their thick fur coats. They are now slowly recovering. This species is found in Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, and New Zealand. In Tasmanian waters, it mainly occurs on the west and south coasts. Only a small number of long-nosed fur seals (also sometimes known as the New Zealand fur seal) breed on remote islands off the south coast. The total population in Tasmania is 350 – 450. About 100 pups are born annually. Australia-wide, the population is estimated to be 58,000. Their main prey include redbait, jack mackerel, and lanternfish. They also eat seabirds such as little penguins and shearwaters.
There are two wallaby species in the peninsula, the endemic Tasmanian pademelon found nowhere else on earth and Bennetts wallabies. They are easy to spot as you walk as their numbers are fairly high now that they are protected.
The Tasmanian bettong and Long-nosed potoroo, also both macropods, are more likely to be seen at night, possibly around your accommodations. Macropods are the common name given to marsupials that generally have largish hind legs.
Through the day you are likely to spot Echidnas, Blue-tongue lizards sunning themselves and a wide variety of other fauna. Echidnas are monotremes, egg-laying mammals, the other being platypus. Their spiky exterior is the defence against any threat from predators.
Birdlife includes Tasmanian rosellas, Tasmanian native hens and White-bellied sea eagles which breed on the peninsula. If you look hard owls and tawny frogmouth roosting in the trees, even through the day.
Common wombats are prolific in the area, although generally nocturnal, they can be seen before dusk scratching away searching and foraging for food. A koala’s closest living relative can grow up to 1.3m long and weigh up to 35 kg. Interestingly they have been clocked running at speeds of 40 km per hour and their poo is cube-shaped.
Tasmanian devils have a fearsome reputation but they are actually shy. They are a marsupial with sharp teeth and an otherwordly howl, which led to them to being called a devil by the early settlers. Devils are carnivores and can weigh up to 14kg, however, they mostly eat carrion, but they do hunt down snakes, birds, insects and fish.
