Bill McDermott – the last in a long line of Tasmanian pioneers – was very much in my thoughts as I trod the rounded, flat paving stones leading into what was once his farmyard. A scarlet robin watched my progress and in the scattered blue gums a yellow-throated honeyeater called. On a sunny day the scene was very much as it would have been during days gone by before the McDermott association with this magical place in the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington was to end in … [Read more...] about An echo from a pioneer past
Light shone on a secret wilderness
Peter Marmion is a man on a mission to reveal the hidden wonders of Port Davey in Tasmania’s far south-west. This magical waterworld is not so much hidden, but overlooked and forgotten when it comes to the state’s tourist hotspots. I must confess I once viewed the area as merely the home of one of the world’s rarest birds, the orange-bellied parrot. That was until I was given the opportunity one summer to join a voyage to the region on a vessel operated by On Board … [Read more...] about Light shone on a secret wilderness
Still making a difference, 30 years on
Once a month, a dedicated band of nature lovers armed with secateurs and rakes heads into the bush. They are among a growing band of Bushcare volunteers determined to “make a difference” when it comes to protecting and conserving Hobart’s fragile environment. As Hobart City Council marked the 30th year of its Bushcare program recently, the founding members came together to celebrate what had been achieved over the years. The movement has roots in the decision by a group of … [Read more...] about Still making a difference, 30 years on
Hobart the birders’ port of call
Although the great cruise liners which ply Tasmania’s waters in summer might appear an unlikely habitat for the bird-watcher, they are bringing birders all the same. Not a summer goes by when I am not contacted through my website by cruise ship passengers seeking an introduction to Hobart’s amazing world of birds. I always recommend the Waterworks Reserve, not more than four kilometres from the docks, as a convenient port of call, explaining that 11 of Tasmania’s unique … [Read more...] about Hobart the birders’ port of call
War of words over wilderness
A battle is shaping for the soul of environmentalism across the planet. The danger to our world heritage areas worldwide comes not only from politicians who use semantics to redefine what’s wild or not, if comes from a breed of modern naturalists trying to put a human value on pristine places. In fact some of the world’s most powerful conservationists are giving up on wilderness. They argue that most of these far-flung corners of the universe which somehow have escaped … [Read more...] about War of words over wilderness