into the area is highly dependent upon the rapidly changeable weather. Light aircraft fly on regular tourist flights from Cambridge Aerodrome near Hobart and offer a way to view the South West Wilderness. Flights take about 45 minutes each way. The only other possible access to the wilderness is by boat. There are no regular tourist operations to the area by sea, though a water trip can be coordinated through the tourist flight operator, as well as it offering overnight accommodation in a standing camp. At least one sea kayak touring outfitter leads extended wilderness tours of Bathurst Harbour, using folding kayaks and departing from Melaleuca. The area is subject to snow, ice, strong winds, heavy fog and cloud cover at any time of year, but especially in the mid-year months, which means any trip into the wilderness should be taken with caution. Rainfall can be up to per year, and the superb views are regularly obscured by low level cloud. This variable and potentially dangerous weather occurs because the wilderness fronts the wild Southern Ocean, where the next landfall is Antarctica to the south and South America to the west. References Further reading Gee, H and Fenton, J. (Eds) (1978) The South West Book - A Tasmanian Wilderness Melbourne, Australian Conservation Foundation. Neilson, D. (1975) South West Tasmania - A land of the Wild''. Adelaide. Rigby. Melaleuca External links Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania - Southwest National Park Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania - Visitor's Guide to Port Davey - Bathurst Harbour Marine Protected Area World Heritage site information about South West Lysis Films - QuickTime video of South West Tasmania World Heritage: Criteria - an audio visual tribute to Deny King produced by the Launceston Walking Club in 2002 (YouTube video in two parts) Protected areas of Tasmania South West Tasmania Wilderness areas of Tasmania