Sun, 16 Aug
|Blue Tier Forest Reserve
Walk with the Blue Tier Giants.
Join a community walk through the Blue Tier Giant tree reserve with some of the locals who campaigned to stop these trees from being logged.
Time & Location
16 Aug 2020, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Blue Tier Forest Reserve, Tasmania, Australia
Guests
About the Event
The Blue Tier forests in Tasmania are home to the widest Eucalyptus regnan recorded, nestled in the glacial refugia forests containing Gondwantic remnant species these forests are a sight to behold.
In 2002 this area was listed on the Forestry Tasmania's (renamed Sustainable Timbers Tasmania) 3 year logging plan. Community group Friends of the Blue Tier conducted citizen science surveys of the proposed logging coupe and the massive tree was found deep in the valley. A rough track was created so that visitors could witness first hand the type of forest which was being clearfelled and burnt. In 2014 the current track with it's rock work, signage and easier access was constructed by John 'Snapper' Hughes and his team of track builders.
The Groom River Valley that is part of the Blue Tier is part of the 356,000ha of native forest taken out of reserve in April 2020 and put back on the chopping block by Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Putting the Blue Tier Giant trees back on the map for logging, along with vast stretches of the other Blue Tier and north east Tasmanian native forests.
Come walk among the giants of north east Tasmania to learn more about the forests, the history of the community driven campaigns to save our forests. and how you can get involved to protect these wild and irreplaceable places.
What you need to know:
Meet 11am at the beginning of the Blue Tier Giant Walk. Car parking available.
Wear sturdy boots, warm clothes and be ready for 8 seasons in one day.
Bring lunch and any snacks you may need, and your camera to record the beauty of this ancient forests.
Getting there
The track is located on the northeast slope of Lehners Ridge in the Blue Tier region, approximately 3 km southwest of Lotta and 25 km northwest of St Helens.
From St Helens follow the Tasman Highway towards Weldborough. Continue through Goshen and Pyengana. The turnoff (on the right) to Lottah Road and the Blue Tier Giant Walk is clearly signposted 38 km from St Helens. Approximately 1.2 km along Lottah Road, turn right at the unofficial signpost and follow the Lehners Ridge road approximately 1.7 km to the trailhead car park, which is clearly marked.
From Weldborough follow the Tasman Highway towards St Helens. The turnoff (on the left) to Lottah Road and the Blue Tier Giant Walk is clearly signposted 7 km from Weldborough.