[bbfan1991]

An Australian environmental activist has been living in a Eucalyptus tree 60 metres above the ground in Tasmania's southern forest for the past 10 months.

Miranda Gibson is vowing to stay there until the forests receive greater state protection from logging.

In her blog The Observer Tree, she wrote: "In the upper branches of this 400-year-old tree, I have endured high wind, snow, hail and extreme conditions.

"It's been a tough winter, that's for sure."

Gibson lives on a 3m platform, has to bathe in a small bucket and relies on donations of food and supplies from the local community.

"Luckily, support has flooded in from all walks of life - locally and internationally," she added. "The many people who visit the base of the tree to say thank you have been overwhelmingly inspirational.

"And it has helped me get through what is the hardest part of this experience - the loneliness of being separated from my loved ones."

Gibson has now become the Australian record holder for the longest time spent in a tree after she reached 209 days in July this year.