Hartz-Mountains-Nationalpark
The Hartz Mountains National Park is a protected area on the Australian island of Tasmania, about 55 km south-west of Hobart. The highest elevation in the park is Hartz Peak ( 1255 m), from which one has views over a large part of the southwestern inland. Since 1989, the Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the Tasmanian wilderness. The mountain is named after the resin in Northern Germany.
Landscape
The area itself has been shaped by the glaciers of the last ice ages. The vegetation of the park is diverse and includes, but moist eucalyptus forest, rainforest and alpine heathlands in the peak areas.
Plant and animal world
The flora in the park is - how can expect the observations on the vegetation - quite different. In the mixed forests dominated the Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua ), in the rain forest areas, the Tasmanian bill beech ( Nothofagus cunninghamii ), which belongs to the laurel -like tree Blackhearted Sassafras ( Atherosperma moschatum ), the Tasmanian Scheinulme ( Eucryphia lucida ) and the Tasmanian Laurel ( Anopterus glandulosus ).
Many of the animals in the park live nocturnal, but short -beaked echidna and platypus can also meet during the day. Furthermore Rotnackenwallaby, Rotbauchfilander and possums are relatively common. At regularly occurring bird species Rotnacken Honeyeater, Yellow -bellied parrot, Tasmankrähe and various honeyeaters be mentioned
Recreational use
An official campsite, there are not in the National Park, but camping is permitted under certain conditions. The facilities for day visitors are simple in nature.
The national park offers numerous opportunities for exploration, including:
Nature walks ( walks )
- Waratah Lookout (5 minutes there and back)
- Arve Falls (20 minutes return)
- Lake Osborne (40 minutes return)
Bush Walks ( Walking ) Sturdy shoes, a warm hat and gloves are recommended, since the ground is sometimes very muddy, wet or rocky. Also gaiters for protection against low growing vegetation are recommended.
- Lake Esperance (2 hours return )
- Hartz Pass ( 3.5 hours return)
- Hartz Peak (5 hours return )
The National Park is in the winter usually completely covered with snow and then difficult to achieve. Only very experienced hikers should take this time of year the hikes to Lake Esperance ( about 90 minutes there and back) and Hartz Peak ( about 5 hours there and back ). After the snow melts in spring, the park with its waterfalls is particularly beautiful and full of life. However, it can occur throughout the year to difficult weather conditions, are therefore recommended by the National Park Service special precautions.