They say if you live in Tassie you learn of Deny King (1909–1991) and read his book - he was an absolute legendary Australian naturalist, prospector, and environmentalist who lived an extraordinary life of solitude and resilience in Tasmania’s remote Southwest wilderness. The southwest is one of the only remaining truly wild places on earth. It's absolutely extraordinary and people all over the world fight to save it. We have driven into part of it and walked it's edges, and even that small taste is enough to appreciate its wild rugged beauty.

Based in Melaleuca, an area accessible only by boat or small aircraft, King was well known for his extraordinary connection to the rugged environment in which he was raised, and his remarkable contributions to conservation and botany - he was a real bird lover and hated killing animals unless he had to. He was raised in a really remote part of Tassie too. His parents moved him and his siblings to a hut in the wilderness as they believed it was healthier after the pollution in some of the mining towns they worked on.

King initially moved to the south west wilderness in the 1930s because he wanted to mine tin, creating an income which supported his self-sufficient lifestyle - he mined right up til his 70s until it just wasn't worth it anymore. He transformed the isolated tin mine into a haven for wildlife and rare plant species., recording his observations for science. He was a huge advocate for saving the orange bellied parrot which is endangered.

People loved him for his generosity and knowledge, and he met many famous people like Edmund Hillary that made the trip out to the area. He fought fires started by fisherman who didn't put them out properly (still an issue these days) and like many of us, was appalled by people who didn't respect the bush.

As an amateur botanist, he discovered Epacris franklinii, a rare and endemic plant. He also built an airstrip,using little more than hand tools, making the region more accessible for medical emergencies and conservation efforts. He fought in the second world war, and more. He really is the stuff of legend and many bushwalkers considered him a key figure in Tasmania’s wilderness culture. His wisdom guided many through some of Australia’s most challenging terrain. In later years he would walk in Nepal and the mountain men there were in awe of his strong calves and strength in his 70s that many men half his age didn't have!

I also loved the chapter where he persued his wife who he had met in hospital during the war. He persued her with some passion and she was quite reluctant though she wrote him regularly. She was a teacher and artist, and was instrumental in enriching life at Melaleuca, They created an amazing family life where education, self-sufficiency, and nature were at the center - something that would appeal to many of the u schoolers on Hive! Despite the remoteness of where they lived, their childhood was rich with adventure, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world - something conventional education is lacking.

Deny Kings story is really about the importance of balancing human activity with environmental preservation. There's a Heritage Museum at Melaleuca, named in his honour, and the thriving orange-bellied parrot population are testimony to his life's work.

I really loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves stories of adventurous spirits and the appeal of the wilderness.

I've included a Worldmappin pin as I strongly believe if you're travelling to this part of the world or are fascinated by Australian wild places, this book is an absolute must.