When Is the Best Time
Get enchanted in this unique forest. However, logging in Tasmania still threatens the Blue Tier Forest Reserve. This mystic rainforest is a must-see. The 3.2 km long trail can be hiked throughout the year. Getting to the trailhead by car might be challenging if it is too rainy.
The last part of the gravel road is a bit rough. The Blue Tier is a wonderful place to experience the beauty of the Gondwana forests. Forests that are increasingly threatened by logging, including the Blue Tier Giants, from April 2020 are taken out of reserve status. We lost old-grown forests in the northeast of Tasmania, and we still do in 2023.
The Blue Derby Wild, The Friends of the Blue Tier, and the residents are fighting for their native forests, but it looks like we all lose this hidden treasure trove and many more forever.
The Blue Tiers are still a hidden gem, remotely located and not leading along any popular tourist route. Very few visitors come to the Blue Tier Giant. There wasn't any soul in sight during our walk through this majestic and fascinating rainforest in Tassie.
How to Find the Blue Tier Giant?
Finally, there are road signs to find the parking and the entrance to the walk. On top of this site is the junction marked where you turn right from Lottah Road to Lehners Ridge Road. From here, follow the signs for 1.7 km to the parking. Parking Google Maps Blue Tier Walk.
Weather
Where there is rainforest, there is rain! This area is often cloudy or overcast though summer brings pleasant temperatures, usually around 20°C. The winter is cold, with one-digit temperatures. Winter is the wettest season as long as the forests exist. It's the wettest time of the year, with its peak in August.
The driest months are the summer, from December to March. In April (autumn), it might be a lovely walk with different species of fungi along the trail. Yet, it's Tassie. Don't let the rain spoil your vacation when visiting this outstanding destination.
Without our primary forests, we will experience more droughts worldwide. Climate Change is Real!
Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
The Blue Tier Forest Reserve and the Blue Tier giant tree also called the big tree, are still hidden gems. With more attention, We hope these ancient trees survive. The forest is well known for its mining history. Therefore, areas of this valuable forest were cleared. There are plenty of walks and mountain bike trails in the Blue Tier area.
This short circuit trail lasts a maximum of an hour, is well marked, and leads through temperate rainforest of giant fern trees, massive old eucalyptus trees, white gums, sassafras, old-growth myrtle, mosses, and passes the Cradle Tree, “the tree that hugs you”. The giant Eucalyptus regnans (swamp gum) is almost 60 meters high and the broadest living tree in Australia, measuring breathtaking 19.4 meters.
You can stand inside the tree where you can find a plastic box from “The Friends of the Blue Tier”. It contains flyers (pictures are attached) with information about the uncertain future of this worth-protecting part of Tasmania. Besides, hiking opportunities are mentioned, and a guestbook to leave a comment.
We were lucky to observe a pink robin in this old-grown forest for a while. There aren’t any facilities but a lovely picnic area. Be self-sufficient and take your rubbish out with you. Don’t miss this truly magical place of natural beauty, peace, tranquillity, and solitude. For us, one of the most amazing places in Tassie after four weeks of exploring.
Thanks to the residents for preserving this magical place. Unfortunately, most of the Blue Tier in the northeast of Tasmania is still unprotected and managed by the Forestry of Tasmania and logged by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
How can their destruction be named sustainable? Although these forests have enormous eco-tourism potential, it is hard to believe that this treasure trove of old Gondwanan flora is earmarked for logging, and the same for the Krushka's forests. The Tasman Aboriginal people are deeply connected to this forest like the residents. If you want to get informed about the current situation, follow Blue Derby Wild.
Where to Eat?
Make a stop for lunch or a coffee break at the Pyengana Cheese Factory and try the different cheddars on the way back.
Tips
Most visitors come here in a rush. This part of Tasmania is underrated and, therefore, less busy. You will love to spend here a whole day or even two. The Blue Tier Forest Reserve has so much more to offer, not only the Blue Tier Giant. Another beautiful hike leads to Halls Falls, close to Pyengana. Also not much visited is the Evercreech Forest nearby, with the world's tallest white gums. We combined the Bay of Fires with the Blue Tier Forest Reserve and the Evercreech Forest. The best accommodations are in Saint Helens, just half an hour's drive to Pyengana. We loved our three nights stay at the Pelican Point Sanctuary in a self-contained cottage.
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