A trail-running doctor, global clothing company and former Greens leader Bob Brown have combined to push for Tasmania's Tarkine region to be put on the World Heritage list.
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The 447,000 hectares of terrain in the state's northwest, including cool-temperate rainforest, is considered to have World Heritage significance, and a short film released this week aims to boost its cause.
Mr Brown said the Tarkine deserved to be globally recognised in the same league as other Australian heritage-listed sites, including the Great Barrier Reef and Blue Mountains.
"(It's the) largest temperate rainforest in Australia and also has Aboriginal heritage up the coastline," he said.
"It's one of the big strongholds for internationally listed rare and endangered species of plants and animals."
Giant freshwater crayfish, wedge-tailed eagle and Tasmanian devils call the Tarkine home.
Aboriginal rock art, middens and artefacts have been discovered on the west coast.
Australian areas can only be nominated for World Heritage listing by the federal government.
They must meet one of 10 criteria to be successful.
The film, takayna, made by clothing company Patagonia, will be shown in Hobart this weekend, with further screenings in Sydney, Queensland and Victoria throughout June.
It follows Smithton doctor Nicole Anderson as she runs through the wilderness.
As of Friday afternoon, nearly 18,000 people had signed a petition in favour of the Tarkine's World Heritage listing, which will be presented to Premier Will Hodgman.
Australian Associated Press
