Short Description

Step into a world where ancient forests meet the Southern Ocean and the air is the cleanest on the planet. “Tasmania: Island at the Edge of the World“ is a cinematic exploration of Australia’s greenest frontier.

From the 100-meter-tall eucalyptus giants to the sacred peaks of the Palawa people, this documentary captures the raw beauty and the „tough but hearty“ spirit of those who thrive in the wilderness at the edge of the map.

Rugged, Diverse, and Unforgettable

A Landscape of Contrasts

Located just 2,500 kilometers from Antarctica, Tasmania is a land of stunning geographical diversity. Viewers are transported through landscapes that feel hauntingly familiar yet entirely unique: Mediterranean beaches, alpine ranges reminiscent of Switzerland, and highlands that echo the ruggedness of Scotland.

At the heart of it all is Hobart, Australia’s second-oldest city, where a modern lifestyle of organic markets and coastal charm meets the untamed wild.

The Guardians of the Wild

The documentary follows a cast of extraordinary individuals whose lives are inextricably linked to the island’s temperamental nature:The Scientists of the Canopy: Forest scientist Yoav Daniel Bar-Ness leads expeditions into the „white spots“ of science—the towering canopies of giant eucalyptus trees—to discover new species living 30 meters above the forest floor.

The Voices of Tradition: Carleeta Thomas, a Palawa woman, shares the deep spiritual connection of her community. „We are country, and country is us,“ she explains, as she guides her cousin Kasey up the sacred Wukalina mountain to pass on ancestral knowledge and the revived „Palawa Kani“ language.

The Spirit of the Coast: Robert Pennicott and his children, Noah and Mia, represent the „Tasmanian life“ on the water. From diving for rare abalone to navigating the rugged cliffs and beautiful shore lines of Tasman Island, their story is one of respect for the power of the Southern Ocean.

Tasmania—the island south of Australia—is a dream destination for people seeking nature and solitude. Only half a million people live on an area the size of Ireland, most of them in the bustling capital, Hobart, and in the port city of Launceston. Western Tasmania is almost completely uninhabited. Here, an impenetrable rainforest thrives—a natural paradise teeming with ferns and giant trees reaching heights of up to 100 meters. The documentary follows a group of people who have chosen to live in harmony with nature—which, in some cases, remains untamed.

Yoav Bar-Ness explores the treetops of primeval forest giants. The eucalyptus trees, some of which are several hundred years old, harbor a multitude of as-yet-unexplored insects. Yoav climbs up to the treetops using a climbing rope and collects soil samples from a branch 30 meters above the ground.

Sarah Woodruff steers a heavy livestock truck along the winding roads of the Tasmanian outback. Her load: up to 400 sheep. The young woman was hired on the spot for this challenging job. Her qualification: she never loses her cool when it comes to herding the stubborn animals from the pasture onto her truck.

Venomous snakes in homes and gardens are a common problem in Tasmania. Volunteers capture the reptiles and release them back into the wild. Sally Wilson was one of them—until she herself was bitten by a tiger snake. The film follows her as she overcomes her fear—by trying once again to catch a venomous snake.

Premiere the second Episode on October 2, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. on ARTE.

A rerun of Part 2 on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.