takayna/Tarkine

In the heart of Tasmania lies the Tarkine wilderness, or Takayna, where nature reigns supreme. The air is rich with the scent of earth, and towering myrtle and sassafras trees form a green canopy above deep rivers that carve through stone and soil. Tree ferns catch the light like delicate green hands, while the Southern Ocean crashes against the rugged coast. Takayna hums with life: platypuses splash in hidden streams, devils growl among dunes, owls' wings flap quietly, and birdsong echoes through rainforest. Takayna is deeply connected to an ancient world, carrying the stories of its First Peoples, who have revered its beauty and power for generations. Their presence is evident in sacred sites and ancient markers, speaking to those who pause to listen. This place endures largely due to its remoteness and Tasmania’s isolation. However, Takayna's wild beauty is under threat and urgently needs protection despite decades of public campaigning. Takayna/Tarkine, One of the Last Wild Places on Earth is a richly illustrated hardcover book that passionately pleads for Takayna’s preservation. It features powerful words and stunning photographs from those who know the area best and who are committed to its future.

'Time, chance, and the courage of visionaries have preserved Takayna, a glittering shard of wildness in a tamed and often broken world. This beautiful book reveals the magnitude of our loss if we fail to protect it. The cause is urgent. The time is now.' –
Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author

'The photographs and stories in this book are as profound as the place that inspires them.' – Robert Purves AM, ;Australian businessman and environmentalist, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to conservation and the environment

Matthew Newton is photographer, director and cinematographer based in Hobart. He's shot numerous documentaries that have been broadcast nationally as well as feature documentaries for festival release. He's worked on shoots in more than a dozen countries, often in remote locations. He was a founding board member of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. He regularly photographs for editorial and news publications throughout Australia. His photographic work is regularly chosen among the country's best and exhibited in the nation's premier photographic art prizes. Much of his personal work revolves around how Tasmania and the rest of the world view Tasmania's environmental policy.

Bob Brown is an influential Australian environmental campaigner and former politician, best known for his dedication to conservation and environmental protection. Bob's advocacy for preserving Tasmania's wilderness in the 1980s was instrumental in the protection of the Franklin River. His environmental activism continues through Bob Brown Foundation focusing on preserving Australia's cultural heritage, including Takayna.

Dr Sally Bryant AM has undertaken foundational research on many of Tasmania's threatened species and landscapes. She has published prolifically on island fauna (mainly birds), and for three decades has pioneered recovery efforts for Tasmania's nationally endangered forty-spotted pardalote. An Honorary Research Fellow with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, Adjunct Lecturer at UTAS and Honorary Editor of the prestigious journal Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Sally also hosts an acclaimed talkback program on wildlife on ABC Radio. She is forever listening and learning from nature.

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