Trek to save the Tarkine
15 Jan 2004
WWF, in association with Latitudes World Discovery Tours and Tiger Trails, is offering WWF supporters the opportunity to explore the Tarkine wilderness while helping to raise funds to protect a 65 million-year-old rainforest from destruction.
Precious sections of the Tarkine - north west Tasmania's 377,000 hectare expanse of rainforests, mountain ranges and wild rivers - will be logged this year.
In March, WWF will host two nine-day treks into the heart of this beautiful wilderness area.
The tour delves into the Tarkine interior through forests which have remained relatively unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs and the supercontinent of Gondwana.
The itinerary also includes exploring the wild Tarkine coast along the Southern Ocean, witnessing spectacular rock formations and the cultural artefacts of Tasmania's Aboriginal inhabitants.
WWF Save the Bush campaign manager Glen Klatovsky urges supporters to experience the majesty of the Tarkine for themselves:
"We see eco-tourism as a viable social and financial solution to replace logging as the main industry.
"WWF has recognised the Tarkine region as one of the world's most important ecological assets - we want to ensure economic development in the north west of Tasmania follows a path which protects this amazing environmental icon.
"The Tarkine is one of the world's most beautiful places where tourists can visit many times but bulldozers only once."
The first Tarkine Trek departs Launceston on March 12 with the second trip departing on March 21. The cost to WWF supporters is $1490, excluding airfares.
A portion of the trip price will go towards WWF's campaign to save the Tarkine.
For further details contact Latitudes World Discovery Tours on 07 5504 6433.
Media office:
* Jacqueline McArthur, WWF Communications Officer. Ph: +61 2 8202 1242,
0408 626 780 or jmcarthur@wwf.org.au
* Andy Ridley, WWF Senior Manager Communications. Ph: +61 2 8202 1237,
0415 865 992 or aridley@wwf.org.au
