South West Wilderness - Geology and Geography

Geology and Geography

The South West Wilderness has a preponderance of dolerite and quartzite rock, with very little soil coverage over much of its area. This largely contributes to the observed features of the landscape, and the low utility of the area for agriculture or forestry. The remoteness, ruggedness and infertility is largely what led to its being unsuitable for settlement.

It displays extensive rugged mountain ridges and steep valleys, with deep mountain lakes and extensive wild moor-lands. Much of its landscape has been sculpted by relatively recent glaciation events. The wilderness area also contains the immense Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, which combined cover an area of 170 square kilometres, more than three times the size of Sydney Harbour.

Melaleuca is a tiny settlement on Bathurst Harbour, consisting of one currently inhabited house, an historic house formerly inhabited by Tasmanian identity Deny King, a crushed quartz rock airstrip, and some basic National Park facilities including a bird hide, information centre and signage, and toilets. Its current permanent population is just two.

Some key geographic features include the Arthur Range, South Picton Range, Frankland Range and Ray Range. Notable peaks include Mount Rugby on Bathurst Harbour, Mount Melaleuca, Mount Anne, Precipitous Bluff, and Federation Peak. Rivers in, or that have their headwaters in the South West Wilderness include the Davey River, the famous Franklin and Gordon Rivers, and the Huon River.