A Wild Southern Coastline
The Spero–Wanderer region forms part of the long, rugged coastline extending from Recherche Bay in Tasmania’s far south-east to Macquarie Harbour on the west coast. Its landscapes include beaches, lagoons, estuaries, river catchments, rainforest and extensive buttongrass moorlands. The catchments of the Spero and Wanderer rivers contain ancient Gondwanan species including Huon pine and myrtle forests. The region also supports uniquely Tasmanian ecosystems shaped by peatlands, fire ecology and coastal weather systems. Across the coastline, forests alternate with open “marsupial lawns” grazed by wallabies and wombats and inhabited by Tasmanian devils. The area also contains significant Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural heritage, including middens, rock art sites, former hut sites and landscapes shaped through cultural fire practices.
Threats to the Wilderness
The largest long-term threat to the Spero–Wanderer region has been proposed mineral extraction. Tracks have already been graded across parts of the landscape to facilitate mineral exploration, although no major mineral deposits have been developed. Campaigners have warned that mining infrastructure—including roads, ports and industrial activity—would permanently alter the wilderness character of the region. Additional pressures include bushfires intensified by climate change, poor fire management practices, marine debris pollution and invasive species such as sea spurge affecting coastal dune systems.
The Campaign
Since 1984, the Wilderness Society has included the Spero–Wanderer region in proposals to expand the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The campaign has focused on building public support for permanent protection and advocating for the area’s inclusion within the neighbouring World Heritage landscape. In 2009, then-Senator Bob Brown formally proposed that the World Heritage property be expanded to include Spero–Wanderer. Campaign tactics have included public awareness campaigns, legal action against destructive practices and community engagement activities. The Wilderness Society Tasmania has also organised public events, citizen science excursions and community visits into the forests and coastline to help people experience and document the region. Since 2023, volunteer groups led by the Wilderness Society have visited the Spero–Wanderer wilderness to document its landscapes and ecosystems.
Marine Debris and Community Action
Efforts to protect the coastline also led to the creation of the South West Marine Debris Cleanup program. By 1999, the cleanup had removed approximately 892,000 pieces of rubbish from the region. The initiative highlighted the scale of marine pollution reaching Tasmania’s remote southern coastlines and the importance of ongoing conservation management.
Legacy
The Spero–Wanderer campaign continues to advocate for stronger protection of one of the world’s largest remaining temperate wilderness coastlines. It also highlights the deep cultural significance of the landscape for Tasmanian Aboriginal people and the growing importance of protecting intact wilderness areas from industrial expansion and climate impacts. As UNESCO stated in 2023 regarding the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area:
“This is one of the world’s largest and most spectacular temperate wilderness areas and a precious cultural landscape for Tasmanian Aboriginal people, who have lived here for approximately 40,000 years.” And as Jim Everett said:
“The destruction must be stopped. The Spero-Wanderer Wilderness Country is Palawa Country. We have been living as part of these relational ecosystems for 50,000 years…”