I invite all Tasmanians to help celebrate the centenary of two of our most loved national parks, Freycinet and Mount Field, with a major festival at Freycinet and events at other parks, during the centenary weekend of 27-29 August.
There is free entry to all national parks on this centenary weekend and during the school holidays from 24 September to 9 October.
The two parks were reserved on 29 August 1916 and remain among the state’s most visited parks, and this is a significant milestone that presents an opportunity for the community to acknowledge the immense contribution that parks and reserves make to the Tasmanian community.
A three day festival at Freycinet includes Aboriginal cultural workshops and dancing, a film festival, historic and art displays, live music, community stalls and food and beverages, while Mount Field will celebrate with activities including free guided walks, children’s activities and a community barbecue.
Additionally, the Tamar Island Wetlands Centre will celebrate on Saturday 27 August with a breakfast and a wetlands guided walk, while Hastings Cave will celebrate with free entry all weekend to the thermal pool, picnic shelters and local walks.
I also invite the community to attend the final in the series of public forums held in conjunction with the University of Tasmania.
The Power of Parks forum will be held on Thursday, 1 September at the university campus in Launceston, with speakers including Distinguished Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies Jamie Kirkpatrick, internationally acclaimed economist Saul Eslake, respected Tasmanian Aboriginal elder Aunty Patsy Cameron and prominent commentator and author Peter Hay.
For details about the events, go to the Tasmania Parks Centenary pages at www.parks.tas.gov.au/centenary
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