Willandra Lake District
Willandra Lake District - facility world heritage UNESCO No. 167. The area covers an area of ​​2,400 square kilometers, in the southwestern part of New South Wales in Australia. Part of the region (about 10%) is occupied national park Mungo.

The Willandra Lake District covers an area of ​​2,400 km2 in southwestern New South Wales, 582 km west of Sydney. There are five large and fourteen small lakes, formed more than two million years ago.


All lakes (5 large and 14 small) are dry, formed more than 2 million years ago, and are covered with solonchak vegetation. The area also features unique lunar semi-desert landscapes. There are eucalyptus sparse forests.
The area is unique in terms of paleontological finds from the Pleistocene period, as well as finds of evidence of human civilization dating back to 45,000-60,000 BC. e. In 1968, the remains of a cremated woman were found in the dunes of Lake Mungo. In 1974, a male burial was found not far from the find. They are considered the oldest remnants of human activity on the planet.
Nature in these places, unlike other regions of Australia, is not rich - a semi-desert landscape, a lot sand dunes, fields with sparse shrubs and grass, in places small islands of woodland with eucalyptus and coniferous (such as white pine and Australian blue cypress) trees. About 20 species of mammals have been recorded in the region, including kangaroos and echidnas, as well as emu ostriches, several varieties of bats and many reptiles.


Mungo National Park, located in the Willandra Lake District and named after a large ancient lake Mungo is world famous for its paleontological discoveries, proving the habitability of this region about 60 thousand years ago. In the vicinity of Lake Mungo in 1968 and 1974, archaeologists discovered the remains of cremated ancient people - this is a unique, oldest cremation in the world.

In total, there are 19 lakes in the Willandra Lake District, and the fact that they were all formed more than 2 million years ago makes them unique! In the photo you can distinguish the largest of the Willandra lakes: 1 - Mulurulu, 2 - Willandra, 3 - Garnpung, 4 - Lehur, 5 - Mungo, 6 - Arumpo, 7 - Chibnalwood


In addition to the ancient dry lakes, Willandra can "boast" of interesting semi-desert landscapes, somewhat reminiscent of the moon, among which small eucalyptus groves are occasionally found.

The territory of the lake district turned out to be a treasure trove of traces of human life, dated back to 45-60 millennia BC, and the human remains found here in 1968 and 1974 are the most ancient burial places of our ancestors today!


wild nature Western Tasmania


In a once brutally glaciated region, steep gorge parks and reserves cover over 1 million hectares, making Western Tasmania's forests one of the last in the world to be located in a temperate climate. The remains that are found in limestone caves indicate that people appeared here more than 20 thousand years ago.

The island of Tasmania, discovered in 1642 by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, is located south of east coast Australia. It is cut off from the mainland by the Bass Strait, the Indian Ocean on its western side, and the Tasman Sea on the eastern side.

The nature of Tasmania impresses with its pristine fairy-tale beauty, magnificence and originality of landscapes - these are mountain peaks and centuries-old, in some places impenetrable tropical forests, quiet green valleys and fast rivers with crystal clear water and icy waterfalls, picturesque gorges and volcanoes, colorful meadows with marvelous flowers and a mirror expanse of lakes, sea shores with a great number of narrow bays and snow-white beaches. Surprisingly, the nature of Tasmania still keeps vast expanses where no human foot has yet set foot.

Orange-bellied parrot, southwestern Tasmania. There are about 150 of them left in the wild. A huge number of plants, eucalyptus forests, tree ferns - the wildlife of western Tasmania is in many ways very similar to that of Australia. The local mild humid climate has both evergreen and deciduous trees.


Many of them reach incredible sizes. The spherical eucalyptus, for example, can be up to one hundred and twenty meters in height. There are also southern beeches and Franklin pines with very valuable red wood, spinous arotaxis (some representatives of the species have lived for more than two centuries), cypress anthrotaxis, rare species of mosses, lichens.

The wildlife of western Tasmania abounds with exotic animals. This paradise is home to the Tasmanian devil, red wallaby, Tasmanian bettong, marsupial wolf, dingo, platypus, koala, kangaroo, echidna, opossum, and about 150 species of birds.


Of great interest is the cultural heritage of this region, which was the southernmost human habitat on our planet. There are more than 40 sacred places of local aborigines here, which are still of exceptional importance for the modern aboriginal population. Archaeological finds from this region have made invaluable art collections.
It is known, however, that modern cultural history Tasmania is full of drama and even tragic. During the colonization of the island by Europeans, the local population of the island was almost completely destroyed. According to the 1961 census, there was one (!) Aborigine in Tasmania. Now there are officially many more of them, but does this mean that the connection of times has been restored? The noted specificity of the region can be traced in its toponymy.

Here are the names of the rivers of the World Heritage region: Gordon, Franklin, Andrew, Denison, Maxwell, etc. etc. Needless to say, historically, quite recently, all these rivers had completely different names, reflecting, as elsewhere in the world, their characteristics in the languages ​​of those people who lived on their shores. Fortunately, many mainland areas of Australia still retained their natural toponymy, which is also part of the heritage - natural and cultural.

Tasmania is a World Wildlife Heritage Site covering 1.38 million hectares. It is a stronghold of rainforest, alpine nature and untouched habitats for animals (rare and endangered) and plants.

Tasmania is interesting for its extraordinary nature- this is the only place in the region where a temperate type of climate prevails; in the Southern Hemisphere, this is found only in the south of Chile and Argentina; Tasmania is the most small state Australia.


Practically, the entire territory of the island is a large nature reserve. Almost a quarter of its territory has not yet experienced human influence. Impenetrable forests and jungles, mysterious and strange forest animals, a huge number of rare bird species, a large number of fish in mountain lakes and rivers have been preserved here. One of the legendary inhabitants of the forests of Tasmania is the Tasmanian devil, however, in recent times The population of this unusual wild animal has declined significantly.


The nature of Tasmania is exceptional and has no analogues in the world. The heart of Tasmanian wildlife is the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Here you can see amazing mountain peaks, tropical forests, deep river valleys, picturesque gorges. And among all this splendor, protected rivers meander.


Can't be bypassed National park-mountain Cradle Lake St. Clair. This national park is one of famous monuments nature, it is included in the lists of monuments cultural heritage humanity.


Local lakes are a popular place for trout fishing and bushwalking, and in the local restaurants you can try real Tasmanian cuisine and taste wonderful Tasmanian wine. From jagged peaks, icy rivers cascade down and flow into transparent lakes. It offers stunning views of centuries-old rainforests and alpine moorlands.
. East coast rainforests
The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the east coast of the Australian mainland, on the border between the states of Queensland and New South Wales.





Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 (expanded in 1994) under the name Australian East Coast Temperate and Subtropical Rainforest Parks. Then it included 16 rainforest sites in New South Wales (an area of ​​about 203,500 hectares). In 1994, the property was expanded to include 40 more properties, most of which were located within the state of Queensland. Between 1994 and 2007 it was called the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves.






Currently, about 50 separate reserves are located on its territory, located between Australian cities Newcastle and Brisbane. All of them stretch for 500 km along the Great Dividing Range in eastern New South Wales and southern Queensland, and the site itself is a cluster of numerous patches of rainforest, which are surrounded by eucalyptus forests and agricultural land. The rainforests of the east coast of Australia are the most extensive subtropical rainforests in the world. total area The object is about 370 thousand hectares.




From a scientific point of view, they are important, as they represent a huge accumulation of the ancient vegetation of Australia, formed at a time when the modern mainland was still part of the Gondwana supercontinent. The relief of the area on which the forests are located is diverse. It includes numerous gorges, prehistoric volcanoes, waterfalls, rivers.




The world of flora and fauna is extremely rich: about half of all Australian plant families and about a third of Australian mammal and bird species are recorded in forests (despite the fact that forests occupy only 0.3% of the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe Australian mainland).
Wet Tropics of Queensland

The Wet Tropics of Queensland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the northeast coast of the Australian mainland, in the state of Queensland. The object represents a wilderness area covered with tropical rainforests and characterized by a wide variety of topography (rivers, gorges, waterfalls, mountains). Located in the valley of the Daintree River, covering an area of ​​8940 km². Included in the World Heritage List in 1988.




Great Dividing Range
There are three main geographic regions within the site: the Great Dividing Range Plateau, the Great Cliffs region to the east, and the coastal plains. The plateau has a highly eroded topography, resulting from both erosion and past volcanic activity.

Separate lava cones and crater lakes have been preserved. The Great Cliffs region is a highly rugged terrain that has undergone catastrophic erosion. There are numerous gorges and waterfalls. The northern part of the World Heritage Site contains extensive areas of coral reefs.

Coral reefs
The climate varies from humid to very humid. There are two seasons per year: a relatively dry winter and a rainy summer. The average annual rainfall ranges from 4000 mm near the coast to 1200 mm in the western part. The average maximum temperature in summer near the coast is 31°C, in the winter months it is 5°C lower. On the plateau and in the area of ​​the cliffs, the temperature in summer ranges from 28 to 17 °C, in winter - from 22 to 9 °C.

The world of flora and fauna is extremely rich: about 380 plant species and 102 animal species are registered in the forests, which are endangered or considered rare. Forests contain 30% of all recorded marsupial species in Australia, 58% of bat species, 29% of frogs, 20% of reptiles, 58% of butterflies and 40% of bird species. From a scientific point of view, local rainforests are important, as are a huge accumulation of ancient vegetation of Australia, formed at a time when the modern mainland was still part of the Gondwana supercontinent. There are extensive mangrove forests with an area of ​​about 136 km².

The local forests are the traditional home of the Australian Aborigines, who settled the region more than 50,000 years ago.
Shark Bay, Western Australia


Shot from space
Shark Bay is a bay in the northwestern part of the Australian state of Western Australia, located about 650 km north of the city of Perth.





in old English and Dutch maps was called "Shark Bay". The bay is a bay with an average depth of 10 meters, which is cut by two peninsulas protruding into the Indian Ocean. Today, Shark Bay attracts about 120,000 tourists annually. In 1991 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.




In 1629, the Dutch traveler Francois Pelsart described the coast of the bay as a lifeless and desolate place. Its first name is Shark Bay, the bay received at the end of the 17th century, when an English ship under the command of Captain William Dampier reached the shores of Western Australia and stopped in the bay.






Around this time, Dampier mapped the outline of the coast of the bay. According to one version, Shark Bay got its name due to the fact that the sailors of the ship under the command of Dampier caught a giant shark, which was used as food for the starving crew. According to another, the most common version, the bay got its name because more than ten species of sharks live in its waters, including the tiger shark.


Stromatolites in Hamelin Pool


In 1991, the bay was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique ecosystem. The basis of the ecosystem is algae, covering more than 4000 km² of the bottom of the bay. Plankton, consisting of shrimps and small fish, finds shelter in them. Algae is also the main food for dugongs, of which there are about 10,000 here.


Shark Bay is one of the largest dugong habitats in the world. Bottlenose dolphins are found in the bay, attracting biologists from all over the world to the bay. In the southernmost part of the bay is a shallow bay called Hamelin Pool, the world's largest formation of stromatolites that are nearly 3 billion years old.
Fossils of Australian mammals (Riversleigh and Narakort)

The world's most important fossil sites in Australia are Riversleigh (in the northeast of the mainland) and Narakort (in the southeast). In Riversleigh, Queensland, the fossilized bones are very well preserved, thanks to an ideal environment (the calcareous plain is rich in surface water), which, unfortunately, is not so favorable for plant remains.

Paleontologists have discovered animal fossils that date back to the Cenozoic era (65 million years). These are fossils of bison, frogs, kangaroos. In 2001, the remains of a marsupial lion, a distant relative of koalas, were found here.

Scientists have found that in the Miocene, in the forests of Riversleigh, herbivorous marsupial mammals lived - wallaby kangaroos and rat kangaroos, huge diprotodonts and “strange-toothed” yalcaparidonts. And the last representative of the carnivorous striped marsupial wolf (thylacine, "marsupial tiger", "Tasmanian wolf") died relatively recently - in 1933, in captivity.

Of the discovered fossil birds, the “thunder birds” are remarkable, resembling ostriches in appearance and being the ancestors of modern flightless species.

Basic moments

As a rule, five historical sights of Tasmania are distinguished. More recently they have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Fort Arthur Prison, the Collieries, the Cascades Women's Factory, the Darlington Probation Station and the Brickendon Woolmers estates. But still, the main attraction of the island, which annually attracts tourists, is unique nature Tasmania.

The island is preparing many surprises for travelers. Here you can spend the night in the bush and get acquainted with the Tasmanian devil. Australians themselves call Tasmania "the island of inspiration." And well deserved.

Tasmania is divided into 5 regions:

• Capital city of Hobart and its environs
• East Coast (including Flinders Island)
• Launceston, Tamar and northern Tasmania
• Northwest Coast ( main city- Devonport and Bass Strait Islands)
• Western territories

Attractions

City of Hobart and surroundings

Hobart was founded in 1804. It is the second oldest city in Australia. The capital of Tasmania is an important seaport. Australian and French ships depart from it to Antarctica.

The city has become interesting tourist center. Most of the city's buildings, even the port warehouses, were built in neo-Gothic style. In combination with the beautiful mountainous landscape of the districts surrounding the city, they create a unique picturesque landscape.

Here you can sail on a boat or kayak on the River Derwent, have a cup of coffee under an umbrella in Salamanca Square and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of surfing in the first suburb of Hobart - Battery Point. To the southeast are the cold-climate wineries of the Cole Valley, as well as the historic towns of Huonville and Richmond. From the coastal village of Kettering, you can take a car ferry to Bruny Island. From the crescent-shaped settlement of Cockle Creek, you can feel the breath of the wilderness of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Southwest National Park. At the historic site of Port Arthur, located on the Tasmanian Peninsula, you can learn about the life of prisoners in the mid-19th century. If you're staying in Woodbridge, take a stroll along the extensive beaches of Tasmanian National Park before enjoying a delicious dinner at Peppermint Bay Resort. In the Oatlands, everyone can see 200-year-old oaks and sandstone cottages and walk the Heritage Highway pioneer route from Launceston to Hobart. On the River Clyde, the ancient city of New Norfolk and the pretty city of Hamilton deserve attention. For a taste of the highlands and malt whiskey, visit Bothwell, located on the southern edge of the Central Plateau.

These territories prepare many discoveries for travelers, but the wild nature remains its main decoration.

East Coast

From Triabunna you can take a ferry to historic island Mary, where there are no cars at all, but you can take a walk or swim in a kayak. We recommend staying at paradise Coles Bay, which overlooks crystal clear Oyster Bay and is at the entrance to Freycinet National Park. Nearby Mount William National Park offers a Bay of Fire trail that passes forest kangaroos, Aboriginal dwellings, wooded areas and white sand beaches. Then you can go fishing and diving in the picturesque port of St. Helena on the shores of George Bay. In nearby Payengan, you can try farmer's cheese or visit the vineyards and berry farms around the seaside towns of Bicheno and Swansea. In Douglas Apsley National Park, you can not only walk, but also camp among quiet rivers, waterfalls, rainforests and tall eucalyptus and pine trees. To the north of the coast is Flinders Island, a place where you can dive to view shipwrecks, climb to the top of the pink and gray rocks of Mount Sagittarius and search for diamonds in Killikrankey.

Launceston, Tamar and North Tasmania

Launceston is home to elegant Edwardian buildings and the magical wilderness of Cataract Gorge. Here you can walk through the thickets of ferns or go down on a rope, climb to the top or go down on a hang glider from the great height of the gorge. You can also take the lift and cross the gorge. Nearby, you can go birdwatching in their natural setting in the marshy area of ​​Tamar Island, or spot kangaroos, wallabies and wombats in Narawntapu National Park. To the northeast are manicured fields and the Scottsdale Forest Ecological Center. Nearby in Bridgeport, you can fish, play golf with the backdrop of Bass Strait on the Barnbugle dunes and wander through cozy lavender fields in Naboul. You can see penguins in the Low Head area, and lovely fur seals on Tent Island. In the Ben Lomond National Park, tourists are offered skiing and climbing the harsh mountain peaks. You can also visit the Beaconsfield Gold Mining Museum and try panning for sapphires along the way near the Derby tin mine. And this list interesting places Tasmania can be continued for a very long time, so it's better to see everything with your own eyes.

Northwest coast

Devonport is one of largest cities northwest coast. Spirit of Tasmania ships arrive to it, which have become a landmark of this pretty port. From here you can walk or cycle along the Devonport coast, see the murals in Sheffield and visit the antique shops in La Trobe. From the floating pontoon in Port Sorrel you can ride on water skiing, go kayaking or go fishing. You can also walk around the lively markets and picturesque beach Penguin. Be sure to include in the excursion program a visit to the limestone caves in the Mole Creek Karst Caverns National Park, which are located under the surface of the Great Western Tiers, known to the indigenous people as Kuparuna Niara. AT old town Stanley can look at a steep volcanic plug called "The Nut". Nearby is King Island, where you can taste the cheese produced by the famous local dairy farms and see more than 70 shipwrecks underwater.

Western territories

Here you should pay attention to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, go kayaking to Macquarie Harbor, stroll along Ocean Beach and drive around the pine and myrtle forests in a jeep. From the windows of the seaplane you can see the rarest thousand-year-old Huon pine. Then you can ride along the picturesque river railway before ancient city Queenstown, which once had the richest gold and copper deposits in the world. Real explorers will love to explore the reckless mining past of Zihan, which was once a wealthy silver mining town. From quiet town Rosebury can be done day trip to the Pasminco mine or walk to the Montezuma Falls - the highest waterfall in Tasmania. You can admire the rugged peaks and mirror lakes of Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park. Mount Ossa is also located in the western territory - the highest in Tasmania.

Nature of Tasmania

Without a doubt, the biggest and main attraction of the island of Tasmania is its nature. Many kilometers of beaches with the purest white sand attract a large number of tourists. The rainforest of Tasmania was recognized in 1982 as a natural heritage of mankind, the “lungs of the planet”. It includes two state reserves, four national parks, state forests, and two protected areas. The island is considered one of the last centers of virgin nature in the Southern Hemisphere. Due to the excellent preservation of natural complexes, Tasmania is rightfully considered one of the standards of natural nature on the planet.

The nature of the island is unique and has no analogues in the whole world. Rivers National Park is the heart of Tasmania's wildlife. Here you can see deep river valleys, tropical forests, picturesque gorges, mountain peaks that amaze the imagination. And among all this beauty, a large number of protected rivers meander.

Animal and vegetable world Tasmania is very original - a large number of representatives are endemic.

In Tasmania, 44% of the territory is covered by rain forests, and 21% is occupied by national parks. Such relationships are rare. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls teeming with trout, replenished with rain and melt water, feed forests where euphoria tirucalli, regal and Hanna eucalyptus, myrtle, Cunningham's notophagus, black wood acacia, sassafras, brilliant Euryphia, phyllocladus asplenia leaf, antarctic dixonia and Franklinia dacridium grow. Defenders today environment are fighting miners, papermakers and builders of hydroelectric power plants. The bare desert of Queenstown, a mining and industrial city, is a harsh reminder of the consequences of the thoughtless waste of natural resources.

The fauna of these places also suffered, especially the thylacine, or marsupial wolf, a gray-yellow animal resembling a dog. For the dark stripes on the back and sacrum, he was nicknamed the tiger. This lean, shy carnivore is used to carrying poultry and sheep. Killed thylacines were rewarded, and by 1936 they were gone.

Another unique marsupial in Tasmania, the Tasmanian devil, may be in danger of extinction due to a unique oncological disease - a facial tumor. Currently, intensive work is being carried out by scientists in Australia to prevent the spread of this disease among Tasmanian devils. Tasmania is also famous for the slender-billed petrel. Starting flight in the Tasman Sea, and practically flying around the Pacific Ocean, year after year the petrel returns to its sandy nests.

Not far from the nests of slender-billed petrels, where they fly only at night, there lives another bird that "flies" under water, a small penguin - with a short beak and weighing no more than a cat.

Tourists

The island will appeal to all fans of mountain tourism and water sports. Travel and wildlife lovers will also appreciate this region, because the island is home to many amazing animals that are found only here. Tasmania is known for its nature reserves, which are located between mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes.

Luxury hotels and luxury hotels have been built on the island. resort areas where you can spend an unforgettable vacation.

How to get there

The island is only served by flights local airlines, therefore, to get to Tasmania, you must first arrive on the mainland. It will not be possible to fly to the island there, because flights to Tasmanian airports located in the cities of Hobart, Launceston and Devonport are carried out from many mainland cities - Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne. For example, a flight from Melbourne will take no more than an hour. The service is provided by local airlines Qantas, Virgin Blue, Jetstar, Regional Express and Tiger Airways.

Further from the airports of Tasmania you can get to the hotel by shuttle buses. The distance between the cities is not at all large, so the bus drops tourists right at the door of the hotel. The fare will cost from $10 to $22. For the return trip from the hotel to the airport, you need to book a seat on the bus in advance and arrange a pick-up time by phone.

Melbourne and Devonport are also connected by a ferry service from the maritime transport company Spirit of Tasmania, making the journey to your destination quite exciting. Travel time takes from 9 to 11 hours, and the fare is from $120 to $180 per seat, 170 - 280 $ per bunk in the cabin. Prices fluctuate depending on the season. If you want to take a car on the ferry, it will cost an additional $65. Tourists should keep in mind that rental cars are often subject to a travel ban between the mainland and the island. This point should be clarified with the rental agency.

Getting around the island

There are many ways to get around Tasmania: by car, bus, plane, rail or bike.

One of the most convenient ways getting around Tasmania - by car, which can be easily rented from one of the many rental agencies. You will need to show an international driver's license and cash, or credit card for collateral. Driving in Australia is left-hand, so travelers should be careful and buckle up. Vigilance is especially useful at night - exotic animals of various sizes are constantly trying to cross the road.

The roads of Tasmania are very windy, turning into steep serpentines, so the speed limit of 100 km / h should not upset you. As a rule, it is redundant.

The island also has a network of bus routes. It is served by the major shipping companies Redline Tasmania and Tassielink. Reservations are required online or by phone.

Tasmanian carriers Tasair, Airlines of Tasmania and Sharp Airlines offer domestic flights between major cities islands: Hobart, Devonport, Launceston and King Islands, Flinders and Cape Barren.

The island has one railway line, the West Coast Wilderness Railway, which runs along West Coast between Strahan and Queenstown. Travel time is 3 hours, and passengers are even offered lunch.

Another popular and useful way to get around Tasmania is by bike. You can ride it both independently and by joining a group tour duration from 1 to 25 days.

Top 5 Tasmanian National Parks:

• Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Cove
• Mount Cradle National Park - Lake St. Clair
• Southwest National Park
• Mount Field National Park
• Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Local delicacies and shops

In connection with historical events, in local restaurants for a long time mainly English cuisine was presented. But today on the island of Tasmania you can find a cafe with any cuisine in the world. From the traditional delicacies of the island, we recommend trying the freshest and most delicious seafood: lobster, salmon, Atlantic bighead - an exotic deep-sea fish that is bred on local marine farms, and a variety of shellfish: mussels, oysters and abalone.

Tasmania, like Australia, is famous for soft, fragrant and weak wine. Let's tell you a secret that the best wineries are located in the Tamar Valley. Sparkling drinks and local beers also hold their own. The Cascade and Boag's brands are popular throughout the country.

King Island in Tasmania is known for its cheese factories, while Hobart is home to the Cadbury chocolate factory.

Tasmanian honey also deserves attention. It is obtained from the flower pollen of the leatherwood shrub - brilliant Eurythia. Honey has an indescribable aroma and contains a complete set of vitamins.

If you are traveling with a group, we recommend purchasing the Tassie Dining Card. The card gives discounts from 15 to 50% in restaurants, bars and cafes in more than 40 cities in Tasmania. Discounts are also available at some grocery stores, enotecas and culinaries. Along with the map, you will receive a 32-page guide to restaurants in Tasmania, which will help you make the right choice. The card costs $39 and is valid for 30 days for a group of up to six people.

The shops also have something to look at. Tasmania has long been isolated from civilized life, and the colonial past and the passion for preserving antiques have contributed to the local flavor. In the shops you can find unique antiques such as furniture, home decoration, silver, books, coins and china. They will decorate the home interior, giving it comfort, or become a godsend for collectors. Furniture items made of exotic woods - myrtle and kauri - are in particular demand. You don't have to worry about shipping a chic sofa, as most antique shops offer international shipping services. We also suggest that the largest antiques market is located in Hobart. It's called The Antiques Market.

Precious Merino goats roam the island, which has made Tasmania famous for its wool products. Everyone can buy woolen yarn or ready-made products.

The island also has many galleries of painting, arts and crafts and handicrafts. It seems that here you can draw inspiration endlessly.

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Abstract on the topic:

Wildlife Tasmania

Wildlife Tasmania(English) Tasmanian Wilderness listen)) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Includes a number of territories in Tasmania, Australia.

Wildlife Tasmania as a World Heritage Site it covers 13,800 km2 or approximately 20% of Tasmania's area. This region has preserved the last on Earth rain forests temperate zone. Archaeological excavations show that limestone caves were used by ancient people over 20,000 years ago.

Tasmania is rich in unique fauna, of the 32 species of animals protected in Tasmania, 27 live in the area Wildlife Tasmania. One of the famous endangered species is the Tasmanian devil. Out of over 150 species of birds, a rare species of the genus Rosella stands out - green rosella.

The following national parks are part of the World Heritage Site Wildlife Tasmania :

• Mount Cradle and Lake St. Clair(English) Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair national park )
• Franklin Gordon(English) Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park )
• Hartz mountains(English) Hartz Mountains National Park)
• Mole Creek Karst Caves(English) Mole Creek Karst National Park )
• Southwestern(English) southwest national park)
• Walls of Jerusalem(English) Walls of Jerusalem National Park )
• central plateau(English) Central Plateau Conservation and Protected Areas )
• Devil's Throat Reserve(English) Devils Gullet State Reserve)
• Southeast Puffin Island(English) South East Mutton Bird Islet)

Notes download
This abstract is based on an article from the Russian Wikipedia. Synchronization completed on 07/16/11 09:45:41
Similar abstracts:

Australia and Oceania is the tiniest part of the world. It includes the mainland of the same name and about ten thousand small islands scattered across the western and central parts. Pacific Ocean. The total area of ​​the region exceeds 8.5 million square kilometers. About 34 million inhabitants live on its territory.

General description of Australia

Australia is an island that is also the smallest continent on the planet. Due to the very dry climate, deserts and dry savannahs predominate here. Length coastline taking into account Tasmania and other coastal islands, it is almost 60 thousand kilometers. In the north, the continent is washed by Arafura and in the south and west - Indian Ocean, and in the east - by Tasmanov and Since the mainland began to be actively settled only in the twentieth century, its territory has been little developed. here is just over two people per square kilometer. Australia is the only continent in the world that is occupied by only one state. It was formed at the beginning of the twentieth century, separated from Britain, and is now one of the most developed and wealthy on the planet.

The country is divided into two territories and six states. The first administrative unit includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territories. The states of Australia are Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South and Western Australia, and Tasmania. The last of these will be discussed in more detail later.

Geographical position

The state includes not only the island of the same name, but also several other small landmasses - Macquarie, Flinders and King. Its capital is the second largest city in the state, which is called Hobart. Speaking about where Tasmania is located, it should be noted that the island is located at a distance of 240 kilometers from the mainland (south of it), from which it is separated by the Bass Strait. Its eastern part is washed by the southern and western part by the Indian Ocean. It should be noted that the island is a structural continuation of the Great Australian Dividing Range, and a large number of bays have formed on its shores.

Opening

Tasmania was discovered long before Australia was colonized. The island was visited by an expedition led by a Dutch navigator back in 1642. These were the first Europeans who visited here. Then this land was named after the governor-general of the East Indian Dutch colony - Van Diemen. According to some historical information, it was he who sent this expedition to search for new territories.

Development

Like other states of Australia, the island began to be developed by the British colonialists in the early nineteenth century. The first British landed here in 1802. The very next year it was proclaimed the second British colony in Australia. Then it was decided to turn this area into an island of convicts. The first famous settlement on its territory was Port Arthur, built in 1830 by the forces of prisoners. Its territory was divided into sectors and carefully guarded, because people who committed serious crimes lived here. A hospital, a temple and a post office were equipped for them. The prison was closed only in the seventies of the nineteenth century. In 1856, the island of Tasmania received its current name. The corresponding decision was made by the British government. It was formed into a separate state in 1901.

Population

About half a million people live in the state. Most of them are considered to be Anglo-Australians, in other words, descendants of British immigrants. Only one percent of the local population is indigenous. According to historical data, local Aborigines have been living here for about 40 thousand years. There are also Indians, Chinese and some other nationalities on the island. English language is considered state. At the same time, it should be noted that it has a peculiar local accent. The locals, including the natives, mostly profess Christianity. The overwhelming majority of them are Catholics, followed by the parishioners of the English Church, Protestants and Orthodox. Almost 4% of the population professes Buddhism and Islam.

Climate

Australia and Oceania is considered one of the driest regions on the planet. There is very little rainfall in their area. Despite this, Tasmanians have the opportunity to enjoy all seasons. This is due to the fact that most of its territory is characterized by a temperate climate. It was formed under the influence of the ocean and seas surrounding the island. Thus, there is neither severe cold nor scorching heat here. It should also be noted that the state has the most rainfall in Australia. In the western part of Tasmania, their average annual number is 1000 mm, and in the eastern part - 600 mm.

Spring on the island falls between September and November. The weather at this time is mostly cold and windy. in the summer season is 23 degrees Celsius. There are periods when the thermometer rises to the mark of 30 degrees. However, this is typical only for areas remote from the coastline. Autumn in Tasmania is a relatively calm season, characterized by cool nights and fairly warm, sunny days. It should be noted that this time is considered optimal for visiting the state by tourists. In winter, the weather is usually frosty and clear. It snows quite often. Be that as it may, at this time the air here is considered one of the cleanest on Earth.

Nature

The main feature that distinguishes the nature of Tasmania is that it was formed several million years ago and has survived in this form to this day. In many ways, scientists attribute this to the peculiarities of the formation of the island. Approximately 250 million years ago, together with Australia, it was part of the vast continent known as Gondwana. Then it occupied about half of the planet's surface, mostly covered with rainforests. As of today, the situation has not changed much. Now the territory of the island consists of numerous uplands and plateaus. Almost half of its area is covered with impenetrable forests, most of which still remain unexplored. It should be noted that this is one of the last such corners on Earth.

On the territory of the island, rare representatives of flora and fauna have survived to this day, which have long died out in all other regions of the planet. Among the vegetation in the local jungle you can see eucalyptus, cypress and spinous anthrotaxis, southern beeches and other trees. In addition, the presence of rather rare species of lichens and mosses should also be noted. The local forests have become a habitat for many representatives of the fauna found nowhere else. The most famous and exotic animals of Tasmania are koalas, dingoes, little penguins, opossums, echidnas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, marsupial wolves and others. In addition to them, there are about 150 species of birds on the island. The most rare among them is the orange-bellied parrot, which is protected by law in Australia. Local rivers and lakes are teeming with trout.

Economy

The island's economy is based on mining and agriculture. In particular, the region is rich in minerals such as zinc, tin, iron and copper. In addition, forestry is at a high level of development here. Since the state has a temperate climate, as mentioned above, favorable conditions are created here for the development of vineyards and orchards, as well as for the cultivation of many crops. Approximately twenty percent of the available land is classified as national parks and reserves, so it is impossible to engage in agriculture on them. Like the rest of Australia, Tasmania boasts a well-developed tourism sector. Its formation from 2001 to the present day is facilitated by favorable economic conditions in the country, including cheap tickets on airplanes and new ferries that provide transport support islands with the mainland. Many local residents work in government organizations. Another major employer here is The Federal Group, which owns several hotels and casinos, and is also engaged in wood processing.

Capital

The state and island of Tasmania have their own capital. It is the oldest city in Australia after Sydney, Hobart. It was founded in 1804. As of today, its population is just over 210 thousand inhabitants. The city is not only the administrative, but also the financial center of Tasmania, in which centuries-old traditions are harmoniously intertwined with a modern, energetic way of life. Hobart is located in the southeastern part of the island at the mouth of the Derwent River. It is from here that Australian and French expeditions depart for Antarctica.

Attractions

In connection with the presence of the so-called hard labor page in the history of the island of Tasmania, sights of this origin are of great interest to tourists. No wonder that every year thousands of travelers visit the former fortress city and prison at the same time - Port Arthur Historic Site. Many popular tours are connected to local natural areas and parks. On the territory of the South-Western Reserve, you can take an air tour, during which tourists have the opportunity to admire the untrodden tropical forests, waterfalls and gorges. The island also has its own wine-growing region with its large factories.

One of the main attractions of the capital is the Salamanca Art Center, which houses numerous organizations, including art studios, galleries and concert halls. Quite popular in Hobart is the Museum of Ancient World Monuments, located surrounded by vineyards at a distance of 12 kilometers from the city limits. big cultural significance They also have local buildings. It should be noted that more than ninety of them are protected by the National Society for the Preservation of Monuments.

tourist attraction

Tasmania boasts a well-developed tourist infrastructure. In its most visited cities and regions, you can easily rent a hotel room, and students are offered a good selection of hostels. It should also be noted that there a large number car rental stations. In local souvenir shops, tourists can buy any national amulets and souvenirs. In general, on the island you can find entertainment for almost every taste - from ordinary excursions to diving. The main thing to keep in mind is that restaurants and shops here are closed on weekends.

Conclusion

Summing up, it should be noted that the island of Tasmania is very beautiful place, a significant part of whose territory is occupied national parks. All of them are under state protection. There is almost everything that may interest a modern traveler - primeval hills, plains, waterfalls and the purest sea water.

It is one of the largest extant tracts of temperate rainforest in the world. The wildlife of Tasmania includes peaks, mountain gorges, rivers, numerous caves, endemic species of flora and fauna, wild forests, as well as the deserts of the island of Tasmania. Forests and other objects cover an area of ​​13,800 km2, which is about 20% of the area of ​​the entire island of Tasmania. Since 1982, the Tasmanian Wildlife has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1989, the original territory of the facility was expanded.

National parks of Tasmania

Geographically, the Tasmanian Wildlife object is divided into several national parks- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Hartz Mountains National Park, Southwest National Park, Mole Creek Karst National Park, Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Central Plateau Conservation and Protected Areas, Devils Gullet State Reserve and South East Mutton Bird Islet. The most accessible and popular is Mount Cradle National Park and Lake St. Clair. The second most popular is the Jerusalem Walls National Park located in the desert region.

According to archaeological excavations in limestone caves, human settlements appeared in the area about 20,000 years ago.

Fauna of Tasmania

Tasmania has a rich wildlife. Of the 32 species of protected animals, 27 species live in Tasmania. The most famous of the island's marsupials is the Tasmanian devil. More than 150 species of birds live on the island, including a rare species of rosella - green rosella.

Adventures on land and water in Tasmania

Tasmania is great for river rafting. The most suitable for this is the Franklin River. For lovers of long trips, swimming on the rivers Overland (five days), Frenchmans Cap (three days) or South Coast (seven days) is possible.

Access to most of caves in tasmania restricted and requires prior authorization due to fragility and potential for collapse. The Marakoopa cave, located south of Mole Creek, is open to the general public and is visited by about 25,000 tourists annually.

Fishing is the second most popular type of recreation on the island. The Central Plateau area is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" and is especially famous as the best place for trout fishing. Popular fishing areas are Pedder Lake in the south of Southwest National Park, lake lake St Clair, Macquarie Harbour, and Gordon River.

Many of the Wild Tasmania tracks are pedestrian and bike-riding is prohibited. Traveling by bicycle is possible only on the road reserved for vehicles. A popular cycling route is the Lake Lyell area.

Horseback riding is available in the Central Plateau Conservation Area and Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. However, for cross-country riding, you need to be an experienced rider.