Welcome to the Tarkine
As the greatest expanse of cool temperate rainforest in Australia, and the second largest in the world...
the Tarkine delivers a very special experience. But the Tarkine has many faces, and its richness extends even further beyond its globally significant rainforests. It is a natural and cultural treasure trove of almost 400,000 hectares.
The Tarkine is a priceless gem. A combination of dramatic and breathtaking wilderness, rare and threatened species and deeply layered history has created a wild and sacred place.
There is a story around every corner that tells of great adventures of the past and present; struggles of human settlements, timber cutting legends, rare gold finds, cattle droving, ship wrecks and protest blockades.
Walking and river cruises are great ways to see the Tarkine up close. From short easy walks to half day hikes you can immerse yourself in the wild coast, explore the habitat rich button grass plains, cruise the majestic rivers and encounter unexpected wildlife with relative ease.
At the end of the day, your reward will be a refreshed spirit and connection to this wild place in the comfort of quality accommodation and outstanding hospitality.
Where is the Tarkine?
The Tarkine is located in Tasmania’s North West Wilderness.
Flights from Melbourne to Devonport and Burnie (Wynyard) Airports take approximately 1 hour. You can catch the Spirit of Tasmania (vehicle ferry) from Melbourne to Devonport.
The main towns surrounding the Tarkine will provide you with all the facilities and comforts you expect; Smithton, Stanley, Wynyard, Burnie, Tullah and Zeehan.
From these it takes about 1 to 2 hours driving time to reach the Tarkine. Arthur River, Waratah and Corinna are the main settlements in the Tarkine and are good bases to explore from.
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Walks
The Tarkine is full of opportunity for self guided drives, wildlife viewing, walks, hiking and surfing.
From your car, the Tarkine’s magnificent mountain ranges and valleys will unfold before your eyes - its vastness extends beyond the horizon. Several roadside lookouts will enable you appreciate the beauty and shear scale of this place effortlessly.
Short walks will lead you through the richly forested gullies, pungent with the life force of decay and renewal. Under the dark canopy you can smell the life forces of this massive carbon sink and the sound of pure wilderness, as rising water squelches from the ancient spongy forest floor, leaving a soft indentation where you tread.
Venture to cascading falls on the Pieman River and at Philosopher Falls – their updraft and vapour refreshing you deep within. Or visit the Edge of the World at Arthur River, the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean on the planet and take in the cleanest air on earth. Here Aboriginal middens have accumulated over 35,000 years by the tarkiner people, the original custodians of the Tarkine.
The attached visitor guides will help you plan your Tarkine Experience.
Note: More detailed trekking and bushwalking maps will be posted on this website over the coming months.
//Connections to wild places
//North West Coast Holiday Planner
//Western Wilderness Holiday Planner
//Tarkine Visitor Guide to Walks and Experiences