A rainforest unchanged since Gondwana split apart. The same species that grew alongside dinosaurs still dominate here, a living time capsule from 180 million years ago.
anyaka, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A living link to the supercontinent
The Tarkine, or takayna, in northwestern Tasmania contains Australia's largest single tract of cool-temperate rainforest. Covering over 447,000 hectares, this wilderness shows the deep past of the planet. Many of its dominant plant species are relics from the supercontinent Gondwana, which began breaking apart around 180 million years ago. The forest's flora shows direct evolutionary links to species found in Patagonia, New Zealand, and New Guinea, regions that were once connected to Australia.
The forest is dominated by species like myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii), which can live for over 400 years, leatherwood, and celery-top pine. These trees thrived on Gondwana and found a refuge in the Tarkine's stable, cool climate climate. Alongside them grows one of the planet's oldest living organisms: the Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii). Individual Huon pines can live for 3,000 years, but some clonal stands have existed for more than 10,000 years. These trees are exceptionally slow-growing, increasing in diameter by only 0.3 to 2 millimeters per year.
The forest floor is a complex ecosystem supporting over 151 species of liverworts and 92 species of mosses. The area also contains globally significant geological formations, including rare magnesite and Precambrian dolomite cave systems, which are distinct from the more common limestone karst found elsewhere in Tasmania.
Prehistoric creatures and ancient cultures
The Tarkine's rivers and forests provide critical habitat for more than 60 rare and threatened species. Its pristine rivers are a stronghold for the world's largest freshwater invertebrate, the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi). This enormous crustacean can live for up to 60 years and reach weights of 6 kilograms, though specimens of 2-3 kg are more common today. The crayfish is slow to mature, with females only breeding every two years, making it vulnerable to habitat changes. The region is also a sanctuary for the endangered Tasmanian devil and the spotted-tail quoll.
The human history of the Tarkine is just as ancient. The traditional name, takayna, comes from the Tarkiner people, one of the Aboriginal groups who inhabited this stretch of coast. Archaeological evidence shows continuous occupation dating back at least 40,000 years. The coastline is a significant Aboriginal heritage sites, with a high concentration of ancient shell middens, hut depressions, rock carvings, and stone quarries. These sites reveal a semi-sedentary lifestyle adapted to the rich coastal resources, a unique pattern not seen elsewhere in Australia.
💡Fun Facts
The Huon pine is so resistant to rot due to a natural oil, methyl eugenol, that logs buried for an estimated 38,000 years have been recovered intact.
The giant freshwater crayfish (*Astacopsis gouldi*) is a top predator in its river ecosystems and has no natural enemies once it reaches full size.
Some populations of the giant freshwater crayfish in the Frankland River system are predominantly a striking blue-white color.
The name takayna refers to the Aboriginal people of the Sandy Cape area, and the name "Tarkine" is an anglicised version that came into common use by conservationists in the 1990s.
The area is generally accessible 24/7, particularly the main tourist route, the Tarkine Drive.
Admission
Access to the general Tarkine area and the Tarkine Drive is free, but a valid Tasmanian National Parks Pass is required for entry into designated national parks within the region, such as Savage River National Park.
Accessibility
The main Tarkine Drive is a sealed road accessible to all vehicles. There are numerous short, well-maintained walking tracks to lookouts and forest reserves, such as Lake Chisholm and Julius River, that are graded as easy to moderate. The broader wilderness contains rugged, remote terrain for experienced hikers.
