1. Tasmanian Midlands - An Island Home

Ask Tasmanians to describe the Midlands of Tasmania and they might say ‘dry’, ‘sheep and weeds’, ‘skeleton trees’ and ‘barren’. Many Tasmanians only see the Midlands driving along the highway between the north and south of the island. There is more to this plateau in the centre of Tasmania.

Located in the shadow of two mountain ranges, the Midlands plains is the driest part of Tasmania, (with an average rainfall of  450mm each year). The dry climate and fertile dolerite soils includes grasslands, wetlands and woodlands and is home to  a range of endemic species (found only in Tasmania). In the native grasslands there are lilies, orchids, daisies and other herbs in between patches of Wallaby Grass, Kangaroo Grass and other native tussocks.

These grasslands, and the surrounding woodlands and forests, are home to four marsupial species, Tasmanian Devils, The Spotted Tailed Quolls, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and the Eastern Bettong.

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the original owners, the Palawa people and the use and crossing of the Midlands where we meet with our partners to share, learn and raise awareness about the land: ​

Paredarerme nation people, Laremairremener and Poredareme tribes, Luggermairrerpairrer tribe and the Tyrrernotepanner tribe​