Cool Temperate Rainforests cover over 10% of the State of Tasmania. The largest stretch in Australia.
These magnificant forests filled with ancient tree species and other flora such as the myrtle, leatherwood, celery-top pine, sassafras, Huon Pine, pencil pine, King Billy pine over hundreds of years old. These trees ancestors once grew in Gondwanaland a landmass when the continents of Antarctica, Australia, Africa, South America and New Zealand were joined together. Tasmanian Rainforests have a history dating back over 60 million years well before the eucalypts and acacias evolved (Sclerophyll vegetation).

Cool Temperate Rainforests grow mainly in the North West of Tasmania, though is also found throughout the western half of the State.

What is a Cool Temperate Rainforest?

Cool Temperate rainforests are a silent, cold, dark and damp place. The ground and tree trunks are carpeted in thick mosses and lichens among 100 year old towering trees.. Magnificant Man Ferns grow in abundance among other low growing ferns and fungi. Fresh springs and streams often run through these forests. Most Rainforests exists where there is at least 1200 mm of rainfall per year.

Animals of the Rainforests

Many animals live or visit Tasmanian Rainforests. Many are noctunal animals and are rarely seen during the day. These include the Tasmanian Devil, Spotted Tailed Quoll, the ringtail and brushtail possums, Pademelon Wallaby, Bennetts Wallaby, the wombat and the long tailed mouse. The platypus lives in the many streams and Tiger snakes are plentiful and active during the warmer months. Over twenty one species of birds such as the Black Currawong, Crow, Green Rosella, Olive Whistler, Blue Wren and dusty pink Robin are common.