Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Tasmania’s oldest and most well-known private reserves, as prized for its cultural heritage as its natural beauty. The sanctuary was once the home of celebrated children’s author, Nan Chauncy, who drew inspiration from her home to capture the spirit of Tasmanian life.
With a long and intriguing history dating back to Aboriginal tribes and early bushrangers, Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary remains a place to learn, share and discover. The sanctuary forms part of a complex and diverse range of ecosystems, with a wide variety of stunning natural features accessible through a range of bushwalking trails. Learn about the sanctuary’s heritage with a visit to the Day Dawn Cottage museum, former home of the Chauncy family.
The sanctuary is home to a wide range of threatened species including Tasmanian devils, quolls, grey goshawks and peregrine falcons. Visit for a day or stay overnight in the RV camping area, complete with picnic facilities, barbecues and toilets.
The Southern Midlands Council owns Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary, a property situated in Bagdad, approximately 40km north of Hobart, Tasmania. Visitors are welcome for daytrips, small functions and overnight visits. The Sanctuary is registered on the Tasmanian Heritage Register for its cultural significance, and the owner intends to maintain it for the continued preservation of nature and for scientific monitoring.
Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary spans approximately 376 hectares connecting to the adjoining Flat Rock Reserve which links to the Alpha Pinnacle Conservation Area, creating a protected conservation zone within the Midlands Biodiversity Hotspot Area.
The sanctuary features several threatened native vegetation communities including black peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina) forest and woodland on sandstone; silver peppermint (E. tenuiramis) woodland; and blue gum (E. globulus) grassy woodland.
The native habitat supports a wide array of wildlife, including threatened species like the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus); eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) and eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). Native birds are abundant, and the cliffs along the southern boundary of the property provide nesting habitats for birds of prey including peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus). Other notable bird species include Tasmanian masked owls (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops); wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax fleayi); grey goshawks (Accipiter novaehollandiae) and swift parrots (Lathamus discolor).
Contact the owner
This sanctuary has been listed by The Southern Midlands Council who can be contacted by phone on (03) 6254 5050 or ggreen@southernmidlands.tas.gov.au
