The Tasmanian Arboretum facts for kids
The Tasmanian Arboretum is a special park filled with trees and plants. It's like a big outdoor museum for trees! You can find it near Devonport, Tasmania, a town in Australia. It's a great place to explore nature and learn about different kinds of trees from all over the world.
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How the Arboretum Started
The Tasmanian Arboretum officially began on May 16, 1984. The land was originally 47 hectares (about 116 acres) of farmland and natural forest. It was bought using money from an Australian grant that celebrated the country's 200th birthday. The first new trees and woody plants were planted in 1986.
More land was added over the years. In 1996, another 11 hectares (about 27 acres) were given to help protect the beautiful scenery. Then, in 2009, 7.9 more hectares (about 19 acres) were bought. This new land included an old quarry and some cleared areas.
Today, the main park covers 66 hectares (about 163 acres). About 40 hectares are used for the plant collections, and 22 hectares are natural local plants. The rest is either the old quarry or buildings. Many people and groups from Tasmania and other parts of Australia have helped fund the park's growth.
What You Can See and Do
The arboretum is a very interesting place with many natural features. Part of the Don River flows through it, joining up with Melrose Creek. You can also see natural limestone rocks and old limestone quarries that date back to the 1860s. There are even old paths from a tramway and railway.
Amazing Plant Collections
The park has over 4,900 different plants! These plants are grouped into collections based on where they come from or what type they are. Most of the plants are from cool or mild parts of the world.
You can find many native Tasmanian woody plants here. There are also conifers (trees with cones, like pines) from the Southern Hemisphere. This includes the rare Wollemia pine, which was thought to be extinct for a long time. You can also see plants from the Eucryphia family and the cool-climate Nothofagus trees. Many of these plants are descendants of the ancient supercontinent called Gondwana.
Wildlife and Nature
The arboretum is home to lots of animals too! About 80 different kinds of birds have been seen here. This includes special birds like the swift parrot and the grey goshawk.
If you visit Founders' Lake, you might even spot a Platypus swimming! Sometimes, the waves on the lake can make it hard to see them when they pop up. You'll also see many Tasmanian nativehens walking around. They are a common sight in the park.
Fun Activities for Visitors
The arboretum is open every day from 9 AM until sunset. They ask for a small donation from visitors to help keep the park running.
You can enjoy walking on the many tracks and trails. It's a peaceful way to see all the different plants, spot wildlife, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and learn about the park's history.
There's a picnic area with shelters. You can use coin-operated barbecues or outdoor wood-fired ones to cook your food. The park also lists special events and exhibitions on its Facebook page.
How the Arboretum is Run
The Tasmanian Arboretum Inc. is a group that runs the park. It's a "not-for-profit" organization, which means it uses all its money to run the park, not to make a profit for owners. Their main goals are to educate people, help them enjoy nature, and support research.
The park has members, and a committee of up to 14 people is chosen to lead it. Most of the work to take care of the plants is done by amazing volunteers! Many different people and groups have given money to help the park grow. The Devonport City Council also gives $20,000 each year to help with the park's daily operations.
