The Mountain Festival presents cultural, conservation and community events inspired by the unique natural environment of Hobart and its surrounds.
Climate Change Theme for the Festival
Our climate change related performance events and forums are designed to inspire and inform.
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Walks and Talks Program
Book early for the walks and talks to ensure your space and especially join us on 15 March to share ideas for communities taking action on climate change. There is something in this program for everyone.
This is a very popular feature of the Mountain Festival so you will need to book early
Be prepared for all weathers on all of the walks. Wear sturdy shoes, bring all-weather gear, hat, sunscreen, snacks and drink. Ask for walk start locations and other information when you book.
For details of each walk, see the Events Diary (below), the Day by Day Program, or ring Sustainable Living Tasmania on 03 6234 5566.
Our Partners
Sustainable Living Tasmania
Sustainable Living Tasmania is a community resource and education centre working to provide a direct, local, realistic and accessible contribution to the protection and restoration of the natural environment, and the development of homes and cities for a sustainable future.We at Sustainable Living Tasmania delight in this celebration of the Wellington Range that defines the natural, social and creative environment of southern Tasmania.
Wellington Park Management Trust
The Wellington Park Management Trust is the managing authority for Wellington Park, and is a founding partner of the Mountain Festival.The Trust's vision for Wellington Park is for it to be a special place enjoyed by all for its prominent landscape, natural and cultural diversity, and community value. The management of the Park is predicated on the belief that the Park is more than a biophysical reserve, and more than the historical parts that make it up.
Wellington Park is, in fact, part of the community's "extended sense of self," and is inextricably linked into the psyche and perhaps the being of the community of southern Tasmanians who live in its shadow. These factors indicate the high value placed by the community on the Park and the role it has in defining a "sense of place" for residents of Hobart and southern Tasmania.
The Trust supports the Mountain Festival's exploration of "place," and the links between art, science and the broader community.
NRM South
NRM South is a Pinnacle Sponsor of the 2008 Mountain Festival and Presenting Partner of the Climate Change Program.Working together with local businesses, community groups and tens of thousands of Tasmanians, NRM South helps to protect, preserve and sustainably manage Southern Tasmania's natural resources, including our drinking water and waterways, our lands - both productive and native landscapes, our rich and diverse native flora and fauna, our marine and coast environments and everything that collectively makes up our unique Tasmanian landscape.
Our projects and activities are many and varied, ranging from assisting land owners in land management practises including drought planning, weed eradication and bush regeneration, assessing the state of our environment and implementing threatened species recovery plans and other actions to help us adapt to the impacts of climate change.
By supporting the Mountain Festival NRM South is proud to support the local community in celebrating our Mountain and its natural values, as well as increasing understanding and protection of our natural resources for the sustainable use and enjoyment of all.
Hobart City Council
Hobart, The way life should be.Hobart, the nation's second oldest city, has a quality of life the envy of other states.
Hobart's lifestyle provides all the cultural and physical advantages of a capital city whilst retaining a relaxed, quality lifestyle.
The Hobart City Council proudly promotes Hobart as "The way life should be", indicating that living in Hobart is as good as it gets.
Event Diary
Bird Watching
Waterworks Reserve, South Hobart
Walk the Waterworks Reservoir circuit on a bird watching (and listening) adventure. Bring your binoculars. Easy walking. Clothing for all weather conditions. Duration of 1 hour. Bookings essential. Phone 03 6234 5566.
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Bushranger Hideaway
Mt. Wellington
Discover the cave of notorious bushranger, Rocky Whelan, and enjoy a nature walk on the Mountain. Easy grade. Bookings essential. Duration 2 hours. Phone Hobart City Council on 03 6238 2886.
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Cathedral Rock Walk
Mt. Wellington
A walk to the summit of Cathedral Rock from the Betts Rd. car park, with Kingborough Council's Bushcare Officer. A difficult steep walk (you need to be fit) rewarded with wonderful panoramic views. Bring water, lunch, all weather clothing, good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen. Duration of 5 hours. Bookings essential. Phone 03 6234 5566.
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City to Summit
Hobart City to Mt. Wellington
Mount Wellington Walks host a free, guided walk from the Henry Jones Art Hotel via the Sculpture Trail, Myrtle Gully and the Zig-Zag track to the summit. Transport is provided back to the city for a celebratory drink at the Henry Jones Art
Hotel Bar. Numbers limited. Duration of 7 to 10 hours. Bookings essential. Phone 0439 551 197 or email mtwellingtonwalks@dodo.com.au
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Experts on Tap
Waterworks Reserve, South Hobart
Join Friends of the Sandy Bay Rivulet and learn about the Sandy Bay Rivulet and the Waterworks Reserve. Just turn up to Site 9 at the Waterworks Reserve for talks from experts in geology, botany, birds and fish. Displays of old photos and history and information on bird calls, fossils, landscaping for birds, and lots more. Talks will continue until 5:00pm.
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Gingko Walk
The Springs, Mt. Wellington
A contemplative walk interspersed with readings of haiku and other short verse. Starts at the Springs. Bring clothing for all weather conditions, drink and snack. Duration of 2.5 hours. Bookings Essential. Call 03 6234 5566.
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In the Steps of Darwin
Fern Tree
Follow geologist David Leaman and the Friends of the Sandy Bay Rivulet up the Rivulet to Fern Tree and learn about the geology, water and vegetation as you go. Back by bus. For the moderately fit. All weather clothing, good walking shoes, food and drink. Duration of 6 hours. Booking essential. Phone 03 6234 5566.
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Making the Transition
Philip Smith Centre, Glebe
Communities gathering to share energies, resources and ideas to respond to climate change in creative and supportive ways. Free event at the Philip Smith Centre, Glebe. Duration of 4 hours. More information from Sustainable Living Tasmania on 03 6234 5566.
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Mountain Flowers
Waterworks Reserve, South Hobart
Discover the flowers and berries of Mount Wellington. Easy grade. Duration of 2 hours. Bookings essential. Phone Hobart City Council on 03 6238 2886.
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Mountains and River Sutra
Quaker Meeting House, North Hobart
A Teaching on Zen Master Dogen Zenji's "Mountains and Rivers Sutra" with Susan Murphy Roshi. Susan's way of teaching inhabits its own kind of time - mountain time, water time... exploring a way of meeting with the way of indigenous spirituality. Duration of 2 hours. Bookings on 03 6224 9806. Cost of $15 ($10 concession)
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Native Gardening and the Mountain
The Springs, Mt. Wellington
An informative walk led by NRM South staff looking at the relationship between native vegetation, geology, landforms, microclimates and fire. Visit features such as the Octopus Tree and O'Grady's Falls. Finish with a visit to an established private native garden in Fern Tree. Start at The Springs. Moderate walk - wear sturdy shoes and bring all-weather
clothing, sunscreen, hat. Light lunch and return transport provided. Duration of 4 hours. Bookings essential. Phone 03 6234 5566.
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North-West Bay River Walk
North-West Bay River
A leisurely walk with Kingborough Council Bushcare through bushland to the North West Bay River. Learn about the rare and threatened plant species with a noted botanist and learn about the river system from a catchment resident. Easy to medium grade. Bring water, snack, all weather clothing, good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen. Duration of 3 hours. Booking essential. Phone 03 6234 5566.
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Star Gazing
Waterworks Reserve, South Hobart
Join astronomy experts from the Friends of Sandy Bay Rivulet at the entrance to Waterworks Reserve. Telescope available. Come early with a picnic if you wish. Weather permitting. Bookings essential. Phone 03 6234 5566.
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Wallaby Wander
Waterworks Reserve, South Hobart
Come on a spotlight wander through the Waterworks and spot grazing wallabies, possums in the trees and bandicoots digging for food. Easy grade. Bookings Essential. Duration of 2 hours. Phone Hobart City Council on 03 6238 2886.
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Who Cares?
Waterworks Reserve, South Hobart
An easy circuit walk from the entrance at Waterworks Reserve to the Quarry and back to meet the folk who help care for the Sandy Bay Rivulet. Learn what they are doing and how they are exploring sustainable living in their street. Duration of 1 hour. No booking necessary. For more information , phone 03 6234 5566.
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Featured Event
Launch of Sculpture Trail
Don't miss the Sculpture Trail launch and a chance to mingle with the artists.
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Thursday 21st Aug 08