Melaleuca, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MelaleucaTasmania |
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A tourist plane prepares for take-off from Melaleuca.
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 Melaleuca
Location in Tasmania
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| Population | 0 (?) |
| Postcode(s) | none |
| LGA(s) | Huon Valley Council |
| State electorate(s) | Franklin |
| Federal Division(s) | Franklin |
Melaleuca is a very remote place in the south-west part of Tasmania, Australia. It used to be a small settlement.
You can only get to Melaleuca by boat through Port Davey, by plane, or by walking. It's a popular spot for tourists and hikers who want to explore the wild South West Wilderness region.
Today, Melaleuca has a few buildings and a special bird hide. This hide is a great place to see the rare orange-bellied parrot. There's also a gravel airstrip where small planes land. These planes bring hikers and visitors to this beautiful, isolated area. Two famous walking trails, the Port Davey Track and the South Coast Track, both meet here.
From the 1930s, people mined for tin in Melaleuca. This continued until the area became a World Heritage Site, which means it's a very important natural place protected by the world.
Deny King: A Local Legend
From 1936 until he passed away in 1991, Melaleuca was home to a special person named Deny King. He was a tin miner, but he was also a keen explorer and nature lover.
Discoveries by Deny King
Deny King found several new plant species. These include an extinct shrub called Banksia kingii, a type of eyebright flower named Euphrasia kingii, and the very rare King's lomatia, or King's holly (Lomatia tasmanica).
Deny King's Contributions
Besides his discoveries, Deny King also built important things for the community. He created the accommodation for walkers and even built the airstrip that planes use today. In 1975, he was given a special award, becoming a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his amazing help and service to the community in this remote part of Tasmania.
