The Tasmanian Forest Festival came about after a number of locals saw the need for an event to  showcase not only the timber industry, but tourism, craft and other associated industries.  The concept was discussed in the rain on a cold Tuesday afternoon in Geeveston at the unveiling of the statue of pioneer blacksmith Jim Hinchey and an initial meeting was held in the old Council Chambers a number of weeks later where the “Tasmanian Forest Festival” was born.   

Geeveston is located in southern Tasmania, approx 1 hour south of Hobart and has traditionally been known as the “Gateway to the southwest” and now has officially been re-named “Tasmania’s own forest town.”   

The forest industry in southern Tasmania is one of the biggest industries creating thousands of direct jobs, with many more deriving indirect employment as a result.  The southern forests timber industry supplies a third of Tasmania’s total sawlog production. 

In 1989, with the outcome of the Helsham Inquiry an additional 25% of the Esperance Municipality was added to national parks, world heritage and other reserves.  This reservation reduced the amount of state forest available for logging, therefore having a direct impact on the local community.

Tourism at this stage did not play a huge role in the town and the towns folk had to look for alternatives for their “dying” town.  The development of the Forest and Heritage Centre in the old town hall in 1991 was to be the first “brush” of tourism and forestry. 

The Centre offered a wonderful opportunity to gain hands on and visual interpretation of forest practices – both past and present, and tourists are encouraged to take a tour of the southern forests to see areas of production forests and reserves. 

At the opening, the local councillor Mr Jack Kile stated “It is the first time in Australia that logging and tourism are working side by side and that is the way it has got to be.”

It is from the words of Jack that Geeveston community has gone from strength to strength and with the opening of the $4.3 million Tahune Forest Airwalk in 2001 and the influx of many tourists.  Geeveston is now a living example of the benefits of how both tourism and forestry can work hand in hand.

The inaugural Tasmanian Forest Festival was held on Sunday 21st March 2004 in Heritage Park, Geeveston.   The festival was an outstanding success and out performed the organisers’ expectations.