Van Journal Week 15: The Tarkine

Van Journal Week 15: The Tarkine

Our tour of Tasmania wasn't the most conventional. It wasn't the most practical either, with a lot of moving back and forth across the island due to multiple visitors, changes in the weather and a few mishaps with the camera equipment. Anyway, it was definitely a great ride and I still wouldn't change a thing.

That's how it is sometimes when you're on the road. Itineraries change and plans fall through, but we don't fret about it. In the end, the butterfly effect, the small changes we make, will send the dominoes down a completely new path. Before you know it, you've stumbled upon something new, met new friends, or had an experience that wouldn't have happened otherwise. People don't really tend to think about how small decisions play out in the grand scheme of things, and it's almost impossible to attribute these small decisions to circumstances. Instead, the human condition unconsciously fixates on the negative; the misunderstanding that the original plan had not worked out as we had planned.

Living in the present has the effect of resetting this way of thinking. It's about going with the flow and embracing change and spontaneity.
alt=“AUSTRALIAN VAN LIFE TASMANIA”>

The Tarkine

Finally it was time for us to head to Tarkine in Tasmania – the largest expanse of cool tropical rainforest in Australia and the second largest in the world. Although this incredibly rich landscape is home to a variety of rare, protected and endangered flora and fauna, it has not been recognized as a national and global treasure.

The lack of an official national park designation has meant that the Tarkine has been and continues to be threatened. Large parts of the rainforest have already been cut down for logging and mining. But as you may already know, there is a deep-rooted divide in the cultural narrative that is unique to Tasmania. This has led to a horrific frontline clash between activists and loggers that has been going on for decades. As an outsider, it is important to look at the situation from an unbiased perspective. I understand that many Tasmanians rely on logging and mining to support their families. As it stands today, many rural communities simply wouldn't exist without the industry that keeps them afloat.

One thing is for sure, no matter what side of the fence you are on, it is important to recognize that the continued felling and clearing of this landscape is not sustainable. I firmly believe that once someone experiences the ancient beauty of the Tarkine for themselves, the answer will become clear. Logging and infrastructure development are not and cannot be the future. But how can these cities survive without them?

I believe that tourism can help fill this gap.

Below is a video from Patagonia that outlines the current battle the Tarkine are facing; a planned tailings dam by the Chinese mining company MMG.

Exploring Northern Tasmania

Before heading to the Tarkine we spent a few days exploring some of Northern Tassie's waterfalls. Below are some highlights with photos.

• Preston Falls
• Führer fällt
• Oldaker Falls
• Dip FallsWir machten uns auch auf den Weg zum Leven Canyon, um den Montag mit einem Aussichtspunkt bei Sonnenaufgang zu beginnen. Dies war bisher einer meiner Lieblingsaussichtspunkte in Tasmanien und er ist unglaublich zugänglich.

• alt=“WASSERFÄLLE IM NORDEN TASMANIENS“>
• alt=“WASSERFÄLLE IM NORDEN TASMANIENS“>

• alt=“LEVEN CANYON-AUSBLICK TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“LEVEN SCHLUCHT“>

Stanley and the Nut

Before hitting the famous Tarkine Drive, we stopped in Stanley to climb The Nut for sunset. This unique geological feature is a major attraction in northern Tasmania. It's the remains of an ancient volcanic plug with a large, flat top that you can either take a chairlift up or walk around.

• alt=“VAN LIFE STANLEY TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“DIE NUSS STANLEY“>

The Tarkine Drive

Finally it was time to go into the Tarkine. This region is notoriously wild and there really isn't much information online in terms of hikes and trails. That's because much of it falls within future logging or development zones. So we decided to take the “Tarkine Drive” and just drive around and try to find some beautiful places and hidden gems where we could.

As is usual in Tasmania at this time of year, the weather was not on our side when we decided to head to the Tarkine. However, we took the rain and wind as a blessing that allowed us to experience this wild place in its true element. Here are a few photos from our time exploring the Tarkine.

We spent much of this week “winging it” and essentially just exploring the region, including Arthur River, Pieman River, Sumac and Trowutta. If you are reading this weekly journal to get inspiration for your trip, I recommend taking the Tarkine Drive to Trowutta. But don't end the adventure there. Take the roads less traveled and you'll be rewarded with some amazing unmarked trails off the beaten path through the incredibly beautiful rainforest.

Read more: The Tarkine Drive – A Complete Guide

• alt=“TROWUTTA ARCH TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“TARKINE REGENWALD TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“TARKINE REGENWALD TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“ÖSTLICHE QUOLL TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“GEFLECKTE QUOLL TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“VAN TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“DER TARKINE REGENWALD IN TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“DIE TARKINE TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“DIE TARKINE“>
• alt=“REGENWALD TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“REGENWALDBÄUME IN TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“VAN-LEBEN IN TASMANIEN“>

edge of the world

We ended up staying on the coast to sleep every night. One of the spots was the “Edge of the World”, a famous point on the west coast with a great viewpoint. The wind was fierce and the waves crashed with malevolent intent on the lichen-covered rocks – a stark reminder that we were truly at the “edge of the world.” If we looked directly west, our line of sight would extend far into the horizon. If our vision had no physical limit, we would eventually spot a landfall on the east coast of Argentina around the globe.
alt="THE EDGE OF THE WORLD">

.