Wet Forest and Waterfall Country on the Great Western Tiers

Overview

Meander Conservation Area sits in Tasmania’s north-west inland, above the village of Meander and within the Great Western Tiers country. It covers 1,664 hectares and protects a steep, elevated section of the escarpment where wet forest, river country and mountain land meet.

This is a high-rainfall part of the state, and the landscape reflects that. The reserve is closely tied to the upper Meander River and to the rugged edge of the Tiers, with much of its character shaped by steep slopes, deep gullies and dense forest rather than open picnic-ground scenery.

Highlights

The standout scenery here comes from the abrupt rise of the Great Western Tiers and the way water cuts through it. Meander Falls is the best-known natural feature, dropping in two tiers through a cleft in the escarpment, while the surrounding slopes give the area a strong sense of height and enclosure.

More broadly, the reserve sits within the larger mountain landscape that marks the northern edge of Tasmania’s World Heritage country. The appeal is in the mix of sheer escarpment, wet forest and river-carved terrain, which gives this part of Meander a cooler, more rugged feel than the farming country below.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring through autumn is usually the most comfortable time to spend time here, when the forest is lush, creek lines are lively and day length gives you more time to appreciate the escarpment country. After wetter periods, the falls and river scenery are often at their best.

Winter can be beautiful as well, but this is a colder upland area and seasonal snow or prolonged wet weather can change the feel of the place considerably. In warmer months, the contrast between the green forest and the dark dolerite wall of the Tiers is especially striking.

Plants and Animals

The reserve is dominated by wet forest, reflecting the cool, damp conditions along the Great Western Tiers escarpment. This sort of country supports dense understorey, mossy ground layers and the tall forest character that makes the Meander area feel so enclosed and green.

Birdlife is a noticeable part of the broader Tiers landscape, and the combination of forest and watercourses provides habitat for a range of native species. The natural values here are less about a single signature plant or animal and more about the intact feel of the mountain forest and river environment as a whole.