Natural values of the mountain
Kunanyi / Mt Wellington towers 1270 metres above Hobart. It is home to forests, woodlands and alpine environments. These provide food and shelter for a diverse range of native plants and animals. Some of these found nowhere else on earth.
The mountain is part of the Wellington Park. It's the dominant feature of the Wellington Range, which also features Collins Cap, Lost World and Cathedral Rock.
Its geology has been shaped by the earth's forces over millions of years. This has produced a landscape filled with protruding dolerite rock and sandstone cliffs. The soils include dolerite, sandstone, mudstone and peat.
Within its foothills are mossy fern gullies, waterfalls, rainforest and dry eucalypt woodland. Higher up are open sandy flats and even alpine moor.
Wildlife
Mammals
Almost all of Tasmania's mammal species can be found on the mountain. These include possums, wallabies, pademelons, potoroos, bandicoots, echidnas, wombats and Tasmanian devils.
Birdlife
It is rich in birdlife, including the nationally threatened wedge-tailed eagle, swift parrot and grey goshawk. At least 67 bird species have been recorded in the park, making it some of the richest bird habitat in Tasmania.
Reptiles
All three of Tasmania's snakes can be found within Wellington Park – the tiger, copperhead and whip snakes.
Snails
The mountain is home to the silky snail, listed as rare in Tasmania, it is found nowhere else in the world.
Flora
The diversity of micro climates on the mountain produces a diverse range of flora. More than 500 native plant species are recorded in Wellington Park. They include the:
- endemic Mt Wellington eyebright
- rare Tasmanian daisytree
- large, towering treeferns.
Eucalypt trees dominate Kunanyi / Mt Wellington's forests and woodlands. Gum-topped stringybark, alpine yellow gum and snow peppermint are found higher up. Stringybark and blue gum can be found at lower altitudes. Swamp gum, the world's tallest flowering plant, can also be found on the mountain.
All flora within Wellington Park is protected. Permits are required to collect or remove any vegetation.