From April to early May Australia's only cold climate winter-deciduous tree, the fagus, transforms to gold, red and orange during the cooler autumn months.

Also known as deciduous beech, the tree is only found in Tasmania and is best seen at Mount Field and Cradle Mountain.

Describing it as a "most special" tree, a Tasmania Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said the fagus could claim something few other Australian plants could.

"... you will find it nowhere else in the world except Tasmania," the spokeswoman said.

"Deciduousness - the seasonal losing of leaves - is brought on by a combination of weather and plant chemistry.

"During warmer months, chlorophyll in the leaves not only helps convert sunlight into sugar, it also gives the leaves their green colouring.

"But as the days shorten, chlorophyll starts to break down and another pigment called anthocyanin takes over.

"It is this pigment which gives autumn leaves their colour.

Eventually, as the leaves cease to take up any further nutrient, they fall to the ground, returning precious minerals to the soil which will feed the next spring growth."

In the state's North, some of the best fagus is found around picturesque Cradle Mountian, with a number of walking track options to choose from.

One of the most impressive ways to see the fagus is around Crater Lake. The 7.2 kilometre walk from the Dove Lake carpark takes about two-and-a-half hours to complete.

The Loop Track circling Dove Lake is a two hour walk that passes through some patched of fagus.

The Weindorfers Forest Walk also offers easily accessible fagus.

For more information visit the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania website.