What is the Tarn Shelf in Mount Field National Park?
The Tarn Shelf is an alpine plateau in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, dotted with small glacial lakes called tarns. It is famous for autumn colours when the native beech turns gold.
The shelf sits on the slopes above Lake Dobson, around 1,200 metres above sea level. Glaciers during the last ice age scooped out hollows in the rock, which filled with water to form a chain of tarns.
The walk to the Tarn Shelf starts at the Lake Dobson car park and climbs past the small Mount Mawson ski field. A loop of about 12 kilometres takes most walkers four to six hours.
Turning of the fagus
In late April and early May, the deciduous beech, Nothofagus gunnii, known as fagus, turns gold, orange and red. It is Australia's only native cold-climate deciduous tree, and the event draws many walkers.
Pencil pines, cushion plants and snow gums also grow on the plateau. Walkers may see pademelons and wombats.
Weather can turn cold and wet quickly, and snow is common in winter, so warm and waterproof clothing is essential.
Did You Know?
Small huts built by early ski clubs still stand along the Tarn Shelf track.