The Picton River
Think back to your childhood. Was there an experience that indelibly influenced your view of nature? Mine was visiting the Redwood State Park in California as a four year old and marveling at the giants of the North American forest. I sought to recreate that experience for my own kids, in an Australian context when we visited southern Tasmania’s forests and the Tahune Airwalk. Southern Tasmania is home to some of the largest, and oldest trees on the planet. Tahune Airwalk, an hour and twenty minute drive from Hobart allows visitors to walk among the tree tops, along a path that culminates at a cantilever facilitating viewing of where the Huon and Picton Rivers merge.
Giant of the forest – Southern Tasmania forests
While the Tahune Airwalk is spectacular, particularly in the vistas it allows, the hero of the site is the forest itself. It was actually on the forest floor that we got the best sense of the giants we were dealing with. Tasmania’s giant trees are the tallest hardwoods in the world. The Californian Redwoods of my childhood are softwoods.
Tahune Airwalk
Not usually afraid of heights, somehow being in the canopy with my 11 week old baby, and young sons was more intimidating than I had anticipated. The icy river below us was beautiful, but we questioned the wisdom of the kayakers we encountered, dripping wet and shivering as they exited the water.
Tahune Airwalk
Strolling on the forest floor revealed a wonderland for the kids. Giant trees, some hollow and big enough to park a car within, alien looking fungi, and dripping ferns were our companions.
The forest floor – Southern Tasmania Forests
Giant of the forest – Southern Tasmania forests
The Tahune Airwalk
Our little thrill seeker had hoped to try the Eagle Hawk glider, and automated hang-glider that swings out over the Huon River. Unfortunately he didn’t make the minimum weight of 25 kg so will need to give it a go next time.
Giant of the forest – Southern Tasmania forests
Every kid needs to explore the inside of a tree by the time they are 12.
Giant of the forest – Southern Tasmania forests
A major limitation to us on our visit to the the Airwalk was our stroller. Billed as stroller friendly the Airwalk takes about 50 minutes to walk. Access to the Airwalk is via a steep staricase, or 600 meter uphill push along a service road from the Visitor Centre. There is disabled parking closer to the Airwalk however we were not directed to that with our stroller by Visitor Centre staff and only found it after our steep push uphill (don’t think we count as disabled either). While the Airwalk was stroller friendly, other walks including the swinging bridge walk were not. Retrospectively we would have done better with a baby carrier.
The forest floor – Southern Tasmania Forests
There is a visitor centre and cafe on site however minimal educational information is provided. Visitors wanting to learn more about the forest should visit the Forest and Heritage Centre in Geeveston.
The Tahune Airwalk is open daily: 9am-5pm November to March, 10am-4pm April to October (closed Christmas Day and during hazardous weather conditions). Family admission is $52.00 (2 adults and 2 children).
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We went there in December and the kids thought it was wonderful (although the height freaked me out with them – I found it quite stressful – but I have trouble with gondolas so probably just me).
Definitely worth a visit.
Bron – It was the first time I have been afraid of heights. Something about having the kids up there rather than just myself.
The forest looks spectacular! The walkway in the sky looks a little like the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park here in our hometown of Vancouver, Canada. It has suspended walkways jutting out from the granite cliff face high above the rushing river. Janice lived in Adelaide as a child, and we’d love to visit Australia (and Tasmania too) some time soon…