Natural history of the Tyndall Range, western Tasmania – site of Tasmania’s next ‘Iconic Walk’

The Tyndall Range, approximately 15 km north of Queenstown and part of the larger West Coast Range, has been chosen as the site for Tasmania’s next ‘Iconic Walk’, due to open in 2029. The range is composed of siliceous conglomerates and
sandstones of Late Cambrian age, within which four formations are recognised. The area was glaciated in the Pleistocene and has numerous glacial features, including large and small glacial lakes, moraines and cirque cliffs. At 1,100 m altitude, it
takes the brunt of the ‘Roaring Forties’ weather, and the influence of ice-laden winds is apparent in the wind-pruned alpine vegetation. The large area of well-preserved alpine vegetation, including deciduous beech and pencil pine forests and cushion
moorlands, has escaped the many fires which have affected the adjacent slopes and lowland areas. This is highly unusual for the western siliceous mountains. The proposed route for the Iconic Walk mainly follows the more sheltered lowland area to
the east of the alpine plateau, visiting the impressive Lake Huntley and several other lakes. We suggest the management status of the Tyndall area should be reviewed to reflect its significant ecological values and effectively low mineral prospectivity

Keywords:

Tyndall Range, Iconic Walk, Tasmanian glaciation, Owen Conglomerate, alpine vegetation, deciduous beech.