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Sandstone escarpment

Featured species
Lomandra
Gahnia
Southern brown bandicoot
Forester kangaroo
Naming guide
A guide how and why we use common, palawa kani and scientific names.
1
Peppermint on dolerite
2
Sandstone escarpment
3
Beneath the plateau
4
Where eagles nest
5
Stocker’s Bottom
6
Banks of Tinamirakuna
Low and behold 

Grasslands might seem modest, but they are critically important and endangered ecosystems. 

In fact, lowland native grasslands are one of Lutruwita/Tasmania's most threatened and fragmented ecosystems, and the most depleted vegetation formation too. More than 83% has been lost since European settlement.

The Quoin is home to 744 hectares of grassland and we are focused on protecting and regenerating every part of it. 

Busy sedges

Take a closer look at the area’s vegetation, and you’ll see gahnia (puwini) (Gahnia grandis) growing in the wettest spots, surrounded by lomandra (traywuna) (Lomandra longifolia). These sedges play a critical role in the ecosystem, helping to store carbon in the soil and regulate both water levels and quality. 

Lomandra in particular dominates this ecosystem, and its density signifies when it's time to bring fire back into a grassland to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Hoppin’ through

Forester kangaroo (tara) (Macropus giganteus) mobs are often seen hopping through the area.  Foresters are picky, grass-only grazers, but this is a boon for the ecosystem because they spread native grass seeds and fertilise nutrient-deficient soils. 

The sandstone escarpment

When the grassland is too exposed, native marsupials take advantage of the nearby sandstone escarpment, using it for shelter, breeding, and everything in between. 

In the last six months alone, we’ve seen a variety of animals here: Tasmanian devils (purinina) (Sarcophilus harrisii) and their joeys, a southern brown bandicoot (linira) (Isoodon obesulus), spotted-tailed quolls (luwayina) (Dasyurus maculatus) and a mother wombat (prupilathina) (Vombatus ursinus) with her joey. 

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Soil engineers

Speaking of the southern brown bandicoot, they play a special role in this ecosystem. 

Bandicoots are soil engineers, turning over up to 13kg of soil every night as they dig for juicy insects.

This has the effect of increasing soil moisture and nutrient content, decreasing soil compaction and erosion, and decreasing fire risk by burying flammable fuel loads a little bit at a time.

Explore by ecosystem

The Quoin is home to a diverse range of ecosystems—from grassy woodlands to dolerite escarpments—each with its own distinct appearance, species composition, and vital role within the broader web of life.

1
Peppermint on dolerite
2
Sandstone escarpment
3
Beneath the plateau
4
Where eagles nest
5
Stocker’s Bottom
6
Banks of Tinamirakuna
1
Peppermint on dolerite

A dry eucalyptus forest with nectar-rich banksia and wildflowers

2
Sandstone escarpment

A critical lowland native grassland transitions to rocky shelter

3
Beneath the plateau

A cool, wet forest with ferns, shadows and a thick layer of moss

4
Where eagles nest

Steep slopes and tall trees surrounded by undulating valleys

5
Stocker’s Bottom

A wide, open expanse dominated by introduced grasses

6
Banks of Tinamirakuna

Deep-rooted, diverse shrubs shade habitat for native fish

Explore by species

Southern banjo frog

(Limnodynastes dumerilii)

Wedge-tailed eagle

(kurina) (Aquila audax)

Tasmanian devil

(purinina) (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Gahnia

(puwini) (Gahnia grandis)