Set in an extensive habitat reserve, you will find natural eco systems just outside your cabin. Because the natural bush is close around the edges of the cabin village, most plants and animals can be spotted from your cabin or tipee, the roadways and campground. The wheelchair accessible lookout is a great place for bird watching.

Mammals

Most Tasmanian animals are nocturnal, that is, they are active at night time. During the day, you will not see much activity but come nightfall, the bush transforms.

The creatures at Mt Misery Habitat Reserve are free to come and go as they please. They are protected in their natural habitat which is the best place to learn about their natural lives and habitat.

Guaranteed sightings are the Brush Tailed Possum and Rufous Wallaby. Likely sitings are bats, moths and perhaps a quoll or bandicoot or Bennett's Wallaby. You will probably hear owls and Ringtail possums. They may be too high in the trees to spot but you might be lucky. Bettongs are very shy, but you can see their diggings in the forest.

Birds

Birds are most abundant by day, with several dozen species regularly seen. Regular sightings of large birds include the threatened Wedge Tailed Eagle, Black Cockatoos, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Currawongs. Dozens of smaller species can constantly be found in the shrubs throughout the village and in the forest canopy.

By night, several species of owl and nightjar can often be heard and occasionally seen.
An identification book is usually available for loan.

Invertebrates

Most invertebrates (animals without backbones) help in the cycling of nutrients through the food chain. They often eat dead vegetation as is the case with grubs that live in fallen logs or dead animals as is the case with common fly maggots. They then become food for birds and small marsupials such as quolls and the cycle continues.

Other invertebrates eat living plants, as is the case with leaf eating caterpillars others are animal parasites such as mosquitoes.

It is easy to overlook these small, inconspicuous creatures, or see them just as a nuisance. However, if you take a moment to look, they are all around us and provide a fascinating other side to the natural world.

Snakes, Spiders, Ants and other hazardous creatures

This is a semi-natural, largely intact habitat. As such, there is a full range of creatures including some which are poisonous. Snakes are seen throughout the warmer months. If you do not wish to see snakes, we suggest that you walk with heavy steps. The snakes will feel your approaching footsteps through the ground and will hide before you get close. If you are bitten by a snake, stay absolutely still, have someone else firmly bandage the affected limb, and send for urgent medical assistance.

Spiders, scorpions and centipedes inhabit dark crevices throughout the forest. Ants inhabit mounds of small pebbles and sand around the village. If you do not wish to meet them, stick to the main walking track and do not disturb nests, fallen vegetation or rocks. Please advise your children likewise. Most invertebrate bites will bring pain, an itch or hard lump, similar to a mosquito bite. However a few can cause illness or death, if you are bitten, it is safest to seek medical advice.

Please drive slowly at night. Rufous Wallabies in particular have no road sense and frequently jump in front of cars. Possums can be very demanding and have little fear of humans. They have sharp claws and can scratch.