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Bathurst Harbour

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Located in the South West Wilderness of Tasmania is Bathurst Harbour. Infamous for being the largest undisturbed estuarine system in southern Australia, Bathurst Harbour is remote and nearly inaccessible. Parts of the wilderness are more than 50 km from the nearest road, so the only access to the area is by foot, air or sea. The harbour is not populated but has in time had a number reclusive inhabitants.

Despite the difficulty in arriving the effort is well worth it, as the harbour features a unique ecosystem known as stratification. Darkly stained brackish water, covers pristine clear ocean, creating a unique flora and fauna environment.

In Bathurst Channel the abundance and variety continues, sponges, lace corals and sea squirts usually restricted to deeper water grow prolifically.

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Bathurst Harbour
© Tourism Tasmania
Kayak
© Tourism Tasmania
Southwest National Park
© Tourism Tasmania

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Things to do: *Dive. Fish spotting is excellent and includes gummy shark, elephant fish, white-spotted dogfish, red gurnard and red cod and skate. From Whalers Point to Point St Vincent giant kelp and bull kelp, purple, blue-throated and rosy wrasses, magpie perch, senator fish, toothbrush leatherjacket, rock lobster and abalone, leatherjacket, spotted pipefish, crested weedfish, soldier fish and half-banded pipefish can all be seen *Bushwalking. The harbour is located on the western part of the South Coast Walking Track *Take a scenic flight from Melaleuca *Kayak, there are a number of tours, or go independantly *Camp at Forrest Lagoon Standing Camp *Explore the Celery Top Islands, Mt. Beatie, the Bathurst Narrows or Mt. Rugby
Please Note: Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour contains two fishing zones - a no take zone and a restricted fishing zone where some fishing is allowed. Port Davey is restricted and Bathurst harbour is a no take zone. Restricted fishing includes diving for abalone and rock lobster, using a rock lobster pot or ring, line fishing with no more than 5 hooks per line and trolling. All netting, set lines, long lines and droplines and the taking of marine plants and cast seaweed is prohibited.