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The Turning of the Fagus – Tasmania’s Deciduous Tree

  • Fagus (Nothofagus Gunnii). 📷 Tourism Tasmania and Arwen Dyer

Each year in Tasmania, from around the middle of April, Tasmania’s only deciduous tree sheds its leaves and attracts unprecedented attention. The Turning of the Fagus.

The Turning of the Fagus.

Known locally as the turning of the Fagus, locals and tourists alike journey towards the alpine regions of Tasmania to view the changing colours of this endemic plant.

In southern Tasmania, the Fagus can be found in Mount Field National Park.

Walking through the Fagus. Image Credit: Emilie Ristevski
📷 Emilie Ristevski

Gondwana Survivor

Fagus, a survivor of the Gondwana era, has existed for around 40 million years and was once widespread. Rocks dating back millions of years have been found to contain fossils of leaves identical to the Fagus. However, Fagus can now only be found in Tasmania in pockets above 800m altitude where winter temperatures are low, rainfall is high, and has remained unburnt.

The leaves have a distinctive crinkle-cut appearance, formed from being folded within the bud. The shape allows them to expand rapidly and become fully functional when the buds open in spring.

Mt Field National Park
Fagus (Nothofagus Gunnii). Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania and Arwen Dyer
📷 Tourism Tasmania and Arwen Dyer

Mt Field National Park – Fagus

Tasmania’s alpine regions come alive each autumn when the Fagus loses its leaves. Hundreds of people journey to Mt Field National Park to view this unique event, a celebration of the beauty.

The Turning of the Fagus will depend solely on the weather conditions. The leaves change from green to gold, red and brown and then are blown away by the winds. The colours can start to change as early as March, but peak around mid-April and remain vibrant for several weeks.

The opportunity to view the turning of the Fagus can be narrow, but the ANZAC day weekend has been known as an ideal time.

Fagus at Mt Field. Image Credit: Sarajayne Lada
📷 Sarajayne Lada

Finding the Fagus

In southern Tasmania, Mount Field National Park is one of the best places to view the turning of the Fagus. Head to the Derwent Valley.

Follow Lake Dobson Road from National Park into Mt Field National Park. Around Lake Fenton, you will spot the changing colours of the Fagus or head further along the road to the Tarn Shelf in the heart of the park. 

Watch the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s website for Fagus updates.

Mt Field National Park
Google Map
📷 Emilie Ristevski

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We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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