Walk: 8.6 km, retrace
Time required: including breaks, 4 hours
Best time to visit: suited to any season
Grade: half day, medium
Environment: Forest, button grass plateau, panoramic views
Map references: Tasmap, 1:25 000 Hardwicke and 1:100 000 Pieman
Last review date: February 2010

How to get there:
The Mt Donaldson is a medium grade half day walk (4 hours). The track is mainly gravel and well defined. The walk starts near the Savage River Bridge at the southern end of the Western Explorer Road (C249). There is car parking opposite the entrance to the walk. 

    
+ download walking guide [2.5Mb pdf file]

Mt Donaldson:
From the car park, walk through the open Myrtle forest along the well defined graded track. Steadily work your way up in a north westerly direction to the open button grass ridge. From here you will see your first glimpses of the majestic Pieman River winding its way to the coast.
Once on the button grass plateau the walk gently climbs across the eastern face of Mt Donaldson, opening up a 180 degree view of the Tarkine interior; the Meredith Range through to Mt Dundas and the West Coast Ranges beyond.
Listen for ground parrots foraging amongst the rich grasslands. Your rewards multiply as you track around the western face of the mountain where the Gowandanic qualities of the Tarkine reveal itself. It is easy to imagine the Dinosaurs wondering through this ancient prehistoric landscape.
Just when you thought you had seen it all, you suddenly arrive at the summit; an uninterrupted view of the remote parts of the Tarkine. The Norfolk Range and the Longback seem close enough to touch. Beyond this mountain Range lie the most pristine rivers of the Tarkine, draining to the Wild West coast and Sandy Cape.
The sound of the Donaldson River below is broken by the occasional bird call. The waves can be seen pounding the coast at Conical Rocks. Take your time to enjoy the many delicate wild flowers that the button grass vista offers. Linger at the summit and enjoy this astonishing panorama.

Walk: 1km, retrace
Time required: including breaks, half an hour
Best time to visit: suited to any season,
Grade: short, easy
Environment: button grass plateau, panoramic views
Map references: Tasmap, 1:25 000 Interview and 1:100 000 Pieman
Last review date: February 2010

How to get there:
The Longback is a delightful easy short half an hour walk suitable for families and the not so fit. The walk starts approximately 11km north of Corinna, toward the southern end of the Western Explorer Road (C249). A small car parking area marks the beginning of the walk.

    
+ download walking guide [1.9Mb pdf file]

The Longback:
From the car park, head up the well marked track that gently ascends to the top of the Longback. This walk showcases the agelessness and beauty of the Tarkine. To the east is the Meredith Range with its granite outcrops and to the south west the mountains of the west coast and beyond.
Once upon the ridge line the ancient and delicate forests, moor lands and button grass plains fill your western view - a savannah like landscape well known to this part of the Tarkine. The remote Norfolk Range including the Interview Pinnacle and Mt Sunday gently rolls and fills the horizon. Mt Donaldson marks the edge of the Pieman River valley to the south.
The occasional wedged tailed eagle or the rare and endangered Orange Bellied Parrot may share this tranquil setting with you. The Longback is an ideal short walk to enjoy at any time, perhaps even at sunset with a glass of Tasmanian wine.

Walk: 1km, retrace
Time required: including breaks and photo opportunities, 1 ½ hours
Best time to visit: mainly suited to summer months, to be avoided during and immediately after wet / heavy rain periods.
Grade: short, difficult
Environment: river, creek, wet rainforest, waterfall and cascades
Map references: Tasmap, 1:25 000 Livingstone and 1:100 000 Pieman
Last review date: February 2010

How to get there:
Lucy Creek can only be accessed from the Pieman River, approximately 6km south west of the township of Corinna. The entrance to Lucy Creek walk is marked by a white buoy. A gravel bed at the mouth of the creek is visible at low tide.

    
+ download walking guide [1.5Mb pdf file]

Lucy Creek:
Upon entering Lucy Creek there appears a scene of total serenity, rounded worn rocks and boulders, shallow sparkling gravel creek bed, small rock pools and cascades greet you on the first 50 metres or so.
However, once you accept that your feet and possibly legs are going to get wet, Lucy Creek suddenly offers up significant challenges. This walk is for the brave and nimble. Several large boulders must be navigated in order to work your way steadily up this enigmatic creek. Slippery ancient Huon Pine logs are strewn in your path as is moss where you need to make a foot hold in the wet rocks.
Fortunately ropes are permanently located at the two most challenging sections to aid your delicate path to the top. Just when you thought you had seen the most beautiful series of small cascades between large boulders in the ever rambling Lucy Creek – you are unexpectedly rewarded with the most amazing and intimate waterfall. This waterfall is jammed full of black glossy logs and rocks, water delightfully shimmers down into a peaceful tannin water hole before you. You are surrounded by Old Man’s Beard and many other mosses and aerial roots hanging from whatever lays still – encircling you in a remarkable and breathtaking sight.
Lucy Creek is well worth the effort – only visited by a small number of people each year. This is a recently developed walk and showcases the many hidden gems and primordial essence of the Tarkine.

Walk: 3 km, retrace
Time required: including breaks and photo opportunities, 1 ½ hours
Best time to visit: suited to all seasons, spectacular in the wet and during autumn when fungi is flowering.
Grade: short, easy
Environment: river, creek, myrtle rainforest, waterfall and cascades
Map references: Tasmap, 1:25 000 Luina and 1:100 000 Arthur River
Last review date: February 2010

How to get there:
Philosopher Falls is located 10km south of Waratah on the Corinna Road (B23). Turn off into the signed gravel access track which takes you up to a generous parking area. The walk starts at the edge of the car park at beginning of the forest.

    
+ download walking guide [2.0Mb pdf file]

Philosopher falls:
As you enter the rich Myrtle forest you will work way down hill toward the Arthur River on a well defined coarse gravel track. The Ancient canopy of the majestic rainforest has created a wonderland of fungus, moss and tiny creatures, along your path. Here the occasional Black Cockatoo or bird of prey screeches from the bows above you.
You can hear the rush of the Arthur River as the track makes a few sharp turns during your steeper approach toward the small crossing bridge. The bridge is a great resting spot to soak up the damp atmosphere. From here you walk comfortably on grade along side the abandoned water race for approximately 400m. To reach the waterfall you must take 200 steps down to the viewing platform. Secure footing and handrails are provided to ease your descent.
The waterfall beckons you downward to the viewing platform below. Once there you feel as though you are flying amongst the treetops, a bank of rich rainforest to the east provides a delightful backdrop to the falls. A craggy solitary Myrtle balances the foreground of the waterfall, stag horn ferns, mosses and fungi cling to its bark. Leatherwood flowers and a variety of understorey plants provide a seasonal show at the viewing platform.
Philosopher falls is a spectacular walk particularly during wet periods and autumn when the fungi blooms. This walk is suitable for children and those easily able to climb stairs. Be sure to wear suitable footwear as the gravel sections are a little rough.

Walk: 16 km, retrace or 8 km one way
Time required: including breaks and photo opportunities, 6 hours return, 3 hours one way.
Best time to visit: suited to all seasons, will be boggy in some part during wet periods.
Grade: long, easy
Environment: beach, bays, headlands, moorlands, grasslands and estuary
Map references: Tasmap, 1:25 000 Bluff and 1:100 000 Nelson Bay
Last review date: February 2010

How to get there:
The Arthur River Coast walk starts from the Arthur River Bridge. Park your car at the gravel car park on the eastern side of the bridge.

    
+ download walking guide [3.3Mb pdf file]

Arthur River Coast:
This exceptional coastal walk will take you from the mouth of the Arthur River to the Bluff Hill Lighthouse. Whilst easy with very little change in elevation, this is a long walk, requiring energy and time. For shorter walks you may wish to turn around at Church Rock, or start from the other end and walk from the Lighthouse down to the coast. There is a clearly defined four wheel drive track or you may choose to make your way around the coast on the beaches, headlands and rocks.
Head along the northern bank of the Arthur River toward the river mouth. One of the unique features of this walk is the strewn logs which create jumbled maize of ancient timber beside the bank of the river. Once around the headland, the beach opens up and you will see the power of the Tarkine coast and its waves pounding against Australia Rock. Keep on the wet sand to help protect the shorebirds and enjoy the company of Pied Oystercatchers.
This walk just gets better as the most beautiful tiny bays and archipelagos are surrounded by delicate succulents, shells and salt loving plants. Soft grass tussocks and bull kelp cling to every crevice in the craggy rocks.
Continue heading northward to Bluff Hill Point. After a gentle rise at the next headland you will be rewarded by the sight of Church Rock. This is an amazing place; towering primeval rocky outcrops create a mystical and cathedral like presence. Here on a calm day there is a lovely little bay at the base of Church Rock suitable for a refreshing dip. As you tread on the stone shingles imagine the Tarkiner people and other tribal bands walking the same path collecting foods, laughing, playing and enjoying their paradise.
Carry on through the heath lands toward the Bluff Hill Lighthouse. Listen for local bird life and if you are lucky a pair of Wedge Tailed Eagles feeding on the many carrion of the native grasslands. A twilight or dusk walk will prize you a viewing of the many wombats, wallabies and Tasmanian devils who continue to make this place their home.
Gently climb toward Bluff Hill Point and be amazed by the rugged beauty of this place; a natural acropolis where dramatic outcrops rise from the delicate foliage. Stay for a while and enjoy this striking native landscape. Once at the lighthouse enjoy the view south along this unique part of the Tarkine coast with Mt Balfour and the Norfolk Range in the distance.
This is a wonderfully gratifying day walk showcasing the diversity and power of the Tarkine Coast. Be sure to take plenty of drinking water and allow enough time to take in this rare coastal wilderness.