Ben Lomond National Park

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Overview

The Ben Lomond National Park lies within the territory of the Ben Lomond tribe, which occupied some 260 square kilometres of terrain around Ben Lomond. It is estimated that the Ben Lomond tribe comprised some three of four bands with an estimated total population of between 150 to 200 people.

The magnificent mountain of Ben Lomond with its imposing and precipitous cliffs is visible over much of the northern midlands of Tasmania. The plateau is roughly 14 kilometres in length, 6 kilometres wide and is in excess of 1300 metres in height. A summit on the plateau named Legges Tor is the second highest point in Tasmania (1572 metres).

Flora & Fauna Ben Lomond National Park protects a representative cross-section of Tasmania's north-east alpine plant communities. Although much of the plateau is stony with areas of low and often stunted forms of vegetation, the remainder of the mountain contains a wide variety of habitats ranging from alpine moorland to dense forest. A total of 222 plant species have been recorded on the Ben Lomond plateau. Eastern quolls inhabit the ski village during winter, and are sometimes sighted during daylight hours. Dusky antechinus occasionally visit lodges. The echidna has been recorded and the platypus has been sighted in the Upper Ford River.

Further Information

Various other species, including the long-nosed potoroo, Tasmanian bettong, brushtail possum, ringtail possum, sugar glider, native rodents such as the velvet-furred rat and the long-tailed mouse, and six species of bat have all been recorded in the park.Little is known of the reptiles from Ben Lomond. Of particular interest is the endemic alpine skink Niveoscincus greeni which is an alpine species restricted to several other mountain top areas in the State.