Fern Tree (at 450 metres), is Tasmania's highest community of any size. The name Fern Tree is adapted from the common name of the plant Dicksonia antarctica (Tasmanian Tree Fern) which grows abundantly in the area. Set beneath Mount Wellington, whose summit is at 1270 metres above sea level, Fern Tree is 13 km by road from Hobart's central business district.
Fern Tree was originally a postal station on the road to the Huon Valley and later the site through which Hobart's water supply would pass. Settled from the mid 19th century, Fern Tree and its environs have always been a major recreational area for Hobart residents. Its many walking tracks (most notably the Pipeline Track) see tourists and locals alike appreciating the diverse flora and fauna.
Fern Tree Community Association