High Country Backroad Tour - Nunniong Forest Drive

Good to know

Dogs allowed

No booking required

No fees payable

Historical interest

4WD only

Suitable for

About this tour

This 67km forest drive winds deep into the heart of Bentley Plain and showcases the scenery of the Nunniong State Forest. The tour starts at Ensay on the Great Alpine Road and finishes at Swifts Creek.

The tour will take a leisurely half to full day, particularly if you stop and explore one or more of the walks and historic sites and relics along the way, including the iconic Washington Winch, Moscow Villa and Bush Hilton hut.

Camping and picnic facilities can be found along the route at Moscow Villa and Bentley Plain Campground. These campgrounds are a great base for enjoying the many recreational activities on offer in the Nunniong State Forest, including fishing in the headwaters of the Tambo and Timbarra Rivers, bush walking, horse riding, photography and flora and fauna appreciation.

Significant flora and fauna

The sub-alpine grasslands and heathlands of Bentley Plain and Nunniong Plain contain many important flora species restricted to these areas. These include Rough Eyebright, Strawberry Buttercup, Marsh Daisy and Tasmanian Bladderwort.

Adjacent to the Plain are reserved areas of old growth forest comprising Wet Forest, Damp Forest and Tableland Damp Forest. The old growth areas are habitat for the endangered Powerful Owl, which requires the large hollows found in these trees for breeding. They feed mostly on possums and gliders which are also dependent on older trees with hollows for their breeding.