Tasmanian wood design

Tasmania is not only home to a selection of unusual and precious timbers, but also to several people who make beautiful things from them. Tasmanian wood design can be seen in all the major museums and galleries in Tasmania, including the Design Centre in Launceston, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk (Launceston), Burnie Regional Gallery and Devonport Art Gallery.

A feature of Tasmanian wood design is the use of special timber species such as the famous Huon and Celery-Top Pine. These trees can grow to be 30 or 40 metres high and several hundred years old, and are noted for their special flexibility and durability. The first Europeans in Tasmania used Huon Pine extensively in the boat building industry because of these qualities. It is still a prized boat building timber. Other particular species you may see in Tasmanian wood design include Myrtle, Blackwood, Tasmanian Oak and Sassafras. You can see many of these trees alive in the wet rainforests of the South and South West.

The management of Tasmanian's natural environment, including its magnificent forests and water courses is a significant issue for many wood designers. Many have been involved over the years with the conservation movement and have strong views on forestry practices in Tasmania, one of the island's major industries. Here you can see and hear wood designer-makers talking about their philosophies and techniques.

>> More about Tasmanian timber species