The Tarkine is located in the northwest of Tasmania in a relatively untouched region. Despite not having recognized and mapped borders, the Tarkine Region is generally agreed to be located in an area bordered by Arthur River to the north, the Pieman River to the south and the Murchison Highway to the east.
The little town of Arthur River at the western most point of Tasmania is a 2 hour drive from Burnie on the northwest Coast and from Zeehan the small settlement of Corinna is approximately a 50 kilometer drive via unsealed road. These two townships are most commonly associated with the Tarkine and give visitors direct access into this special region.
The Tarkine is an extraordinary place of natural beauty within Tasmania. It includes a vast area of cool-temperate rainforest which includes species that evolved from when the continents were joined together as Gondwana.
You’ll be amazed at the peaceful rainforests and the history of the area which includes a large number of historic Aboriginal sites. The Tarkine also has a history of mining, with resources including gold and tin throughout the area. Many historical mine licences allowed only sifting of gravels from river beds and were not large mines, however modern-day Tasmania has the open cut Savage River Iron Ore Mine at the edge of what is considered the Tarkine Region.
The chance to experience relatively undisturbed cool temperate rainforest is a major drawcard for this region. A mix of rainforest, eucalypt forest, rivers, mountains, cave systems and a basalt plateau that is still covered in original vegetation makes the Tarkine a wild wonderland that is fabulous to explore.
Visitors can self-drive through this area and discover remote beaches, wild sand dunes, waterfalls and expansive forest vistas.
The small settlement of Corinna at the southern end of the Tarkine Region is a wonderful spot to explore and experience the wilderness. You can make the crossing over the Pieman River on the Fatman Barge or even head further up the river on a cruise. This small oasis has accommodation, kayaking, fishing, a general store and café as well as plenty of walks in the area to keep you occupied.
Arthur River on the northern side of the Tarkine is a small town that is at the westernmost point of Tasmania. The ‘Edge of the World’ is a small point just outside the township where the Arthur River meets the ocean. A truly rugged west coast experience, Arthur River gives you access to both pristine rivers and rainforest as well as roaring surf beaches and historical Aboriginal sites.
The Tarkine is the perfect place to get out and into nature. A largely untouched area, you’ll love the Tarkine for its wild nature but peaceful forests where you might be the only people for miles. You’ll find this place a haven for animals and if you keep an eye out you may be treated to a sight of some rare and endangered species, including Tasmanian Devils in the wild, or the threatened Orange-bellied Parrot.
Throughout this region you’ll catch glimpses into the pioneer history of Tasmania and in particular of the mining industry of days gone by. The small town of Corinna is now the only surviving settlement left in the Tarkine and it is hard to imagine that nearly 2,500 people lived around the area at the height of the gold rush in the late 1800s. Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Dan Fellow and Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman
To travel in and around the Tarkine you’ll need to hire a car, if you are not already visiting via a tour. There is little to no public transport in this remote area of Tasmania.
You can drive from the north to south of the Tarkine or vice versa via the Western Explorer Highway. An unsealed road, the Western Explorer takes visitors from Arthur River through to Corinna and then visitors can cross the Pieman River using the Fatman Barge. Due to the road conditions the 100km journey can take longer than 2.5 hours.
Visitors can also drive on sealed roads to Corinna using the Murchison Highway and then turn off on the B23 through to Corinna. This drive will still give visitors great access to the Tarkine with less remoteness and shorter travel time using sealed roads.
The Tarkine is an area of contention and is not an officially mapped area. The name 'Tarkine' first came into mainstream use by the conservation movement around the early 1990s. The name came from the ‘Tarkiner’ tribes that inhabited the area prior to European settlement.
Since the 1960s Tasmanian conservationists have fought to have this area declared a National Park to protect the area from native forest logging and mining operations. The debate surrounding the status and protection of this area continues today. Issues include the conservation of land and natural status of the area, however these are met with arguments of pro-development and support from local groups for mining activity in the naturally resource-rich area.
The township of Corinna was first settled in 1881 by European explorers and was proclaimed a town in 1894 due to the prevalence of gold within the area.
The Tarkine covers 450,000 hectares of land in the northwest of Tasmania which include cool temperate rainforest, sea misted dunes, large plains of button grass and mountains covered in forests. The area provides diverse habitat that protects over 60 species of rare, threatened or endangered flora and fauna.
Philosopher Falls is a well-kept secret, and a short walk, that will take you into the heart of the Tarkine. Just 10 kilometres out of Waratah on the B23 you will find this short 45-minute walk through amazing forest to the gorgeous Philosopher Falls. You will not regret stretching your legs to admire the view. Image Credit: Paul Fleming
The Tarkine is a vast area, which means the nearby sites are dependent on which area of the Tarkine you are in. If you’re taking in the northern end of the Tarkine why not explore the townships of Burnie, Wynyard and Stanley or, if you’re in the south, check out Strahan, Queenstown and Zeehan.
