Highlights
- The last Tasmanian Tiger to be caught in Tasmania was in the Florentine Valley.
- The South West World Heritage Area comprises 1.38 million hectares of pristine wilderness
- Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon hold 27 times the volume of water contained in Sydney Harbour. It is the largest inland freshwater storage in Australia.
- The Styx Valley has Giant Trees over 86 metres tall
- The tallest commercial abseil in Australia can be found at the Gordon Dam.
- The Junee Cave is part of the deepest limestone cave system in Australia. The Junee River flows underground to the cave from Mount Field and emerges as a waterfall in the Junee Cave and then cascades down to join the Tyenna River.
- The Tyenna River is mooted to be the best Trout River in Australia with catches of 12kg and 18kg fish recently recorded.
- Platypus abound in the Tyenna River with sightings almost guaranteed.
Activities
The Giants’ Table and Cottages is nestled in the village of Maydena en route to the South West Wilderness World Heritage Area.
There are a great number of things to see and do in the area around Maydena.
Junee Caves
Only a 10 minute drive up Junee Road, and a 15 minute walk through lush rainforest, will bring you to the mouth of a cave. This cave has a waterfall emerging from it which has travelled 30km underground, through 295 caves. A "must see" walk.
The Styx Forest
A 10 minute drive towards Strathgordon along the Gordon River road, and you will be at the entrance to the Styx Forest, the home of the Giant Trees from which our place takes its name. 18km further on will bring you to the Big Tree Reserve. These trees are the tallest flowering plants in the world – the Eucalyptus Regnans. These trees are truly awe-inspiring, make sure you see them while you are here.
Photo courtesy of Pat Russell
Lake Pedder, Lake Gordon, Gordon Dam
A 75 minute drive through the South West Wilderness World Heritage area and past Lake Pedder will take you to Lake Gordon and the Gordon Dam.
There are a number of walks along this route, ranging from 10 minutes to 5 days, including the Creepy Crawly Walk and the spectacular climb to Mount Anne.
Photo courtesy of Pat Russell
Mt Field National Park, Russell Falls, Lake Dobson
Only a 10 minute drive back along the main road will bring you to Mt Field National Park, where you can enjoy some wonderful walks, and visit the beautiful Russell Falls or even take a drive up to the snowy area around Lake Dobson.
What's new...
The Eagles Eyrie and Maydena Adventure Hub.
Forestry Tasmania have begun the construction of a lookout on the outskirts of Maydena at the top of Abbot's Peak. The lookout will have a 360o range taking in the forests, World Heritage area and sights as far away as Strahan. It is likely that this lookout will be known as the Eagles Eyrie.
Visitors will access the lookout from the comfort of a 4 wheel drive vehicle which will journey up the mountain through the forests to the top. A journey well worth taking!
It is also envisaged that such activities as a flying fox, 4WD tours, mountain biking, bushwalking, caving, horse-riding, abseiling and a range of other outdoor activities will be on offer.
The first stage of the new attraction is expected to be open in January 2009.
Other activities currently available in this area include:
- Fishing
- Walking
- Skiing
- Boating
- Cycling
- Rock climbing