Since our first walk finished fairly early and the weather
was still kind, we decided to walk to Lake Esperance as well. This is South
West of the first walk and on the way to Hartz Peak. It takes about an hour and
a half and starts beside the shelter at the same picnic area at the end of the road in the Hartz Mountains National Park.
Nagging done, the path ascends to the first level of a
saddle or plateau and then goes to the right if you don’t want to proceed to
Hartz Peak - a much more challenging walk which takes about 4 hours return. The
glimpses of serried ranks of peaks
reaching southwards, does make the longer walk tempting on a day like this, but
not having done much walking lately, I don’t want to push my luck.
 |
The cushions look like they would make a lovely seat or save you from
stepping into marshy ground, but they are in fact very delicate and
easily damaged |
It is this wide range and strange assemblage
of nature’s experiments which makes this a World Heritage Area and Tasmania a
floating ark, a sort Galapagos of the South. The cushion plants have developed an
interesting survival strategy, clustering together for internal warmth and
keeping a low profile to deflect the cold winds, but like coral, they are
easily damaged by careless feet. It takes around thirty years for them to recover from so much as a bootprint.
 |
Richea Pandanifolia- Nine out of eleven species of Richea, the world's tallest heath plant, are endemic to Tasmania |
On days like this, looking into the clear waters of the lake
and breathing the fresh air, you forgive Tasmania its dark days and long wet
winters. In fact, although there is no air monitoring station here, I am fairly
certain that with uninterrupted airflow from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica and
the Roaring Forties from the west, this area would have cleaner air than that
in the North West which is billed as having the cleanest air in the world.
 |
R's favourite plant - one of many unique alpine species |
In this ancient and seemingly timeless landscape the daily
cares of upstart humans seem trivial. Reluctantly we start to retrace our steps
towards our everyday lives, but not without a wistful look back at the track
towards Hartz Peak. Who knows, my
walking buddy may make a peak bagger out of me yet.
 |
Coral Ferns getting ready to unfurl -Gleichenia Alpina |
P.S. If you can’t make it to the Hartz Mountains National
Park, or Mt Field or Cradle Mountain, there are several other places where you can see many of these plants:
- The
Botanic Gardens right in the City has a small section of Alpine and Subalpine
plants as well as the deliciously cool sub Antarctic house which is full of cushion
plants. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
- The Plants of Tasmania Nursery, at
Ridgeway just near Mt. Wellington has a wide range for sale and will even send
them interstate. As the blurb says, they are "specialist
growers of Tasmania native plants. An astounding range of Tasmanian plants from
alpine, rainforest, heathland and coastal plants, including Huon pine,
Leatherwood, Myrtle, Sassafras and hundreds of other species! Stroll
through our display garden. Peak flowering Oct-Dec. Mail order
available."
Open daily 9:00am-5:00pm (4:00pm
in winter).
65 Hall St, Ridgeway 7054. P:
(03) 6239 1583
E: sales@potn.com.au W:
www.potn.com.
I haven’t been to the following but they could be of
interest too:
3. Inverawe Native Gardens
at Margate in the Huon Valley, specialises in Tasmanian Plants
“Thousands
of colourful native plants in a garden setting.
Stunning
views, history, poetry, sculpture and interpretive signs.
Take tea
on the terrace, be entertained by the extraordinary variety of
birds. “
Entry
$12/Concession $10 Open 7 days September-May, 9.00am-
6.00pm
Last entry 5.00pm. 1565 Channel Highway, behind the
Margate
Train. 15 minutes south of Hobart. P: (03) 6267 2020.
E:gardens@inverawe.com.au
4. Inala Jurassic Garden, Bruny Island
“A
comprehensive collection of over 500 species and subspecies of
plants
with a Gondwanan distribution gives insight into the flora that
was part
of the ancient supercontinent.
Enjoy 5
acres of winding garden full of interpretation panels and
explore
the museum full of shells, fossils, minerals & fascinating
artefacts
of the natural world.”
Open
Daily: 9.00am-5.00pm Adults $10.00/Child $5.00
P: (03) 6293 1217 E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au
5. Tasmanian
Bushland Garden -
Buckland (South)
“2ha
display gardens featuring indigenous plants of SE Tasmania, in a
20ha
reserve with peaceful walking tracks, enhanced by sculptures
and a
landscaped quarry with waterfall. A delightful, natural
experience.
Picnic tables, toilets, barbeque available.
Free
entry. Open daily - daylight hours. Tasman Highway,”
Buckland.
P: (03) 6239 1688
6. Tasmanian
Arboretum – Devonport
(North)
“Tasmanian
Arboretum, Devonport Walk among extensive labelled collections of Tasmanian
plants,
southern
hemisphere conifers and deciduous trees from temperate
areas of
the world on 66ha. Wildlife, landscape and our Limestone
Heritage
make the site interesting and enchanting in all seasons.
Entry $5.
Kiosk hours may vary. 46 Old Tramway Road (off C146),”
Eugenana,
near Devonport. P: (03) 6427 2690
W:
www.tasmanianarboretum.org.au
7. Crawleighwood
Nursery and Garden -
Nicholls
Rivulet
(South)
“A
delightful 3.5ha garden featuring rhododendrons, maple woodlands,
Gondwanan
rainforests species, rare and unusual plants. Brilliant
spring
and autumn colours. Great for weddings and family picnics..
Wide
variety of plants for sale.”
Entry
$8.00. Open 10.00am - 4.30pm on Open Garden Days
4th-5th
November 2017, 22nd -25th April , 27th-28th October 2018
Also open
any time by appointment.
51
Underwoods Road, Nicholls Rivulet. P: (03) 6295 0269
W:
www.facebook.co
Most of this information comes from the delightful
BloomingTasmania brochure, which also has information on other gardens – secret gardens,
historic gardens etc.
and related events
such as floral festivals and open days.