Crashing waves, remote rivers and delicate natural and cultural landscapes dominate the wild and remote Tarkine Coast. A true sense of place is evoked through our hike as we journey along this stunning piece of country on this exploratory experience.
Join Tarkine Trails on this full pack hiking adventure, exploring one of the most remote and beautiful wild coastal stretches of the world – the Tarkine wilderness in the north-west of Tasmania. There is something awe inspiring about a remote beach at the edge of the earth. The rugged, windswept takayna / Tarkine coastline showcases the true beauty and power of a wilderness landscape. The Tarkine coast is not only breathtaking, but the expansive ocean beaches, remote rivers and huge surf create a powerful backdrop for your Tarkine Coast Expedition.
It is a place of huge historical significance in Australia, with an Aboriginal history dating back thousands of years. Evidence of the Tarkiner people, after whom the takayna / Tarkine is named, still remain dotted all over the coastline with some of the largest middens ever found in Australia along our expedition. The Tarkine Coast Expedition is completed in full respect and acknowledgment of the palawa people of Tasmania. All care is taken to ensure their relics and cultural histories are respected and maintained in the way that they wish.
Itinerary Summary
There is a pre-trip briefing and full gear check the afternoon before Day 1
Day 1 : Depart Launceston and transfer to Temma| Trek towards Kenneth Bay | approx 10kms
Day 2 : Kenneth Bay to Sandy Cape | approx 20kms
Day 3 : Sandy Cape to Lagoon River | 10kms
Day 4 : Lagoon River to Interview River| 8kms
Day 5 : Interview River to Pieman Heads |8kms
Day 6 : Pieman River, Corinna and transfer to Launceston| 2kms
What’s included
- 2 professional wilderness guides
- 5 nights camping
- 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners
- All snacks while on the trail.
- Transport to and from Launceston
- Pieman River boat transfers
- Tent and sleeping mat
- Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
- Emergency communications & group first aid kit
- Maximum 10 people
Notes to consider
Your 6 Day Tarkine Coast Expedition is graded as a challenging tour. Please note that the takayna / Tarkine coastline is a remote wilderness shaped by local weather conditions. We advise you to do as much training as you can before your tour. The more you train for the walk the easier you will handle the terrain and the more you will enjoy this wonderful part of the world. It’s also important to come along with an open mind ready for an awesome experience whatever the weather. It is very important that you bring the right gear for the conditions. Generally, the Tasmanian weather can be unpredictable, storms can arise very quickly and heavy rain and even snow can fall at any time of the year. A comprehensive gear list will be sent to you when you book your tour with us. Quality Backpacks, sleeping bags, rain jackets, and over pants are also available for hire. If you are at all concerned about your ability to do this walk, please feel free to call one of us here at Tarkine Trails for more advice.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change with any change in community regulations as well as governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.
Day 1: Depart Launceston, transfer to Temma, trek towards Kenneth Bay
This morning we collect you from your Launceston accommodation between 7:00am and 7:30am. From Launceston we begin our journey into our favourite part of the state, the northwest. After a coffee stop we wind our way through some of the greener pastures in Tasmania,
some of these farm estates have been run by the same families for over 100 years. As we approach the Tarkine coast, our first marker and the beginning of 6 days of bliss is the magnificent Arthur River. We continue on to Temma where we leave our support vehicle and begin our adventure! Today is about an introduction to one of the remotest coastal areas in Australia, and preparation for the fantastic experience ahead. Our destination for today is Kenneth Bay, where we set up camp for the first night and a hearty meal is served by your guides.
Walking distance 10km | Walking time 3 hrs
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Kenneth Bay to Sandy Cape
We continue along the wild Tarkine coastline, explore the sheltered bays, and if you’re game take a dive into the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean and see if you can spot an abalone. These unique creatures literally line the rocky boulders that form a large part of the sea
floor. Numerous species of kelp, shellfish, starfish and other colourful marine creatures make for fascinating swimming and diving possibilities. After a long day trekking we arrive at the Sandy Cape Lighthouse. Allow yourself to be immersed in this wild and rugged landscape whilst breathing some of the cleanest air in the world.
Walking distance 20km | Walking time 8-10 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Sandy Cape to Lagoon River
Today we head south to Lagoon River, crossing a number of headlands and pristine rivers including the Italian
River. The headlands provide spectacular views up and down the coast. The day’s walk includes encounters with midden sites and other examples of the Tarkine coast’s cultural heritage. The size of the larger middens is simply breathtaking and represents thousands of years
of occupation of this land. Sitting high on the headlands are a number of hut depression sites marking the location of where the Tarkiner people established their elaborate shelters. The last bay we pass is Native Well Bay, a compact and protected bay strewn with giant bull kelp and orange lichen covered granite boulders. Our camp is located near the Lagoon River. The coastline is laden with small rocky
gulches creating sheltered waters ideal for swimming and observing the myriad of sea life found along the coast. Not far from camp sit patches of native grasslands, inhabited by an abundance of local animal residents. We have often seen wombats, echidnas, wallabies and pademelons feeding at dusk on the native grasses surrounding camp. The combination of native Tasmanian wildlife feeding with the backdrop of the wild Tarkine coast is a scene that has remained the same, undisturbed for hundreds of years. Dinner is served overlooking a west coast ocean sunset, wild and spectacular.
Walking distance 9km | Walking time 5-7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Lagoon River to Interview River
Today is a day of giant sand dunes, coastal wilderness views and further evidence of the native Tasmanian’s that once lived with this land. The middens we encounter today comprise of the discarded shells of abalone, sea snails, bones of wallabies, seals and other prey. They
represent thousands of years of inhabitation. According to the Australian Heritage Commission, the region is one of the world’s most significant archaeological regions providing tangible connection to the original inhabitantsof the country. For a great overview feel free to stroll to the top of the giant sand dunes. These aren’t your standard sand dunes, they are in fact the largest sand dunes in the
Southern Hemisphere. If you are keen to meet the kings and queens of the Tasmanian sky, from the top of these dunes is a great spot for sightings of the coastal dwelling sea eagle hunting its prey or the mighty wedge-tailed eagle soaring above its empire. We have also regularly seen juvenile Tasmanian devils searching the beach for food. Upon reaching the Interview River, we find a safe crossing
point. Looking back to the north, the deep blue ocean rolls up against an expansive beach bordered by huge windswept sand dunes. The huge swells that relentlessly pound the Tarkine coast are generated thousands of kilometres away deep in the Southern Ocean. The dominant westerly winds, the Roaring Forties, circle the globe driving the swell all the way from South America, sweeping underneath the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa before thundering into the Tarkine coast.
Walking distance 8km | Walking time 4-6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Interview River to Pieman Heads
Today we walk for 8 kilometres along the Tarkine coast. Today’s walking has been described by some as “the ultimate geologist’s playground.” A distinct change in the feel and layout of the land is evident with the beginning of amazing twisted rock formations and majestic rocky outcrops. Along with this rocky landscape comes a myriad of rock pools in which small yet abundant sea creatures reside. Having lunch amongst these unique rock formations and breathing in the fresh air of the Southern Ocean is the ideal time to reflect on your journey so far. At times, the rocky headlands require us to walk inland. Tessellated amongst the rocky landscape lie swathes of marsupial grazing lawns surrounded by wind hardened coastal banksia, acacia and tea tree. After lunch, keep your
eyes peeled for the endangered and shy hooded plover. Families of this cute coastal bird inhabit the high tide line of the Tarkine’s beaches. Our last night’s camp site is north of the pristine Pieman River. The Pieman River has plenty of stories to tell. It has been commonly believed that the Pieman was named after Alexander Pearce who was involved in one of the very few cannibalism cases in Australia, however this is not correct. In fact, it was named after a convict by the name of Thomas Kent, a pastry chef that was deported to Van Dieman’s land in 1816. At one stage he escaped and was apprehended at the mouth of the river which now bears his nickname “Pieman.”
Walking distance 8km | Walking time 4-6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Pieman River to Corinna to Launceston
Today we bid an early morning farewell to the Tarkine coast but we certainly, finish it in style. The mode of transport to Corinna is a 2-hour boat journey down the rainforest flanked Pieman River. On our travels we cruise through the Pieman Gorge, passing the mouth of the Savage River and Donaldson River, enjoying our last picnic lunch together along the way. These rivers have their origins in the heart of
Australia’s largest cool temperate rainforest and are surrounded by ancient Huon Pines and other endemic Tasmanian classics. Upon arrival at Corinna, we load into the van for a taste of the rainforest landscape on our journey home. We travel the Murchison Highway allowing us to experience a diversity of landscapes including rainforests, mountain ranges, button grass plains and tall eucalypt forests. It is then onward via Burnie and Devonport on our way back to Launceston, arriving back at your hotel around 7.30pm.
Walking distance 2km | Walking time 1 hr |
Boat transfer 2 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
NOTES TO CONSIDER
Your 6 Day Tarkine Coast Expedition is graded as a challenging tour. Please note that the takayna / Tarkine coastline is a remote wilderness shaped by local weather conditions. We advise you to do as much training as you can before your tour. The more you train for the walk the easier you will handle the terrain and the more you will enjoy this wonderful part of the world. It’s also important to come along with an open mind ready for an awesome experience whatever the weather. It is very important that you bring the right gear for the conditions. Generally, the Tasmanian weather can be unpredictable, storms can arise very quickly and heavy rain and even snow can fall at any time of the year. A comprehensive gear list will be sent to you when you book your tour with us. Quality Backpacks, sleeping bags, rain jackets, and over pants are also available for hire. If you are at all concerned about your ability to do this walk, please feel free to call one of us here at Tarkine Trails for more advice.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change with any change in community regulations as well as governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.
TARKINE COAST WALKING NOTES
The terrain experienced on this trek is predominantly made up of natural walking trails and requires professional guiding navigation in a trackless coastal wilderness setting. We emphasise that Tasmania’s West Coast can be very unforgiving with all year-round inclement weather conditions possible – There is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate gear and a poor attitude. Minimal Impact Trekking Techniques are used in sensitive areas and certain route options are determined by local conditions and hazards.
WHAT YOU CARRY
The items you need to carry on your 6-day Tarkine Coast Expedition are: All your personal equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 70-90 litres in capacity. This includes sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping mat, tent (portion of if sharing), a proportion of the group’s food and all personal items as specified in our gear list. Depending on the quality and quantity of personal gear and toiletries, the average pack weight should be to 15 – 20kg for the tour. A comprehensive gear list is available at the end of this itinerary detailing what equipment/clothing is included in the tour cost, what items are available for hire and what you will need to bring with you. This trek will commence with a full gear check by your guides, to ensure the right mix of gear for your adventure
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TARKINE TRAILS
Tarkine Trails was established in 2002 by a group of like-minded, passionate individuals, with a focus to provide exposure from the threats to the Tarkine region through tourism. From here the company has evolved to provide multiple unique deep immersion walking experiences, both within the Tarkine’s vast rainforest areas and along its wild coastline.
Tarkine Trails is now proudly part of the Trek Tours Australia family, continuing the legacy of offering truly unique and genuine takayna / Tarkine experiences.
We feel privileged to continue the important work set by the founders and more recently through Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Protecting the takayna/Tarkine for future generations is our core philosophy. This has remained unchanged, to this very day and has been the driving force and bond for those individuals involved with Tarkine Trails from inception.
Tarkine Trails is here to get it right. We are proud to be an ambassador for business, community and the environment. This is what we believe ecotourism should be for anyone with the privilege to operate in an incredible natural environment such as takayna. Tarkine Trails believes that working collaboratively with the north west community and industry will create the strongest outcome for a positive future.
ABOUT TAKAYNA/TARKINE
The takayna/Tarkine wilderness region is located in the north-west of Tasmania. The area encompasses approximately 447,000 hectares of wilderness including the southern hemisphere’s largest single tract of temperate rain forest, a wild coastline with an extraordinary wealth of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, and habitat for over 50 threatened species.
Over 90% of the natural values in takayna / Tarkine are largely intact. A living example of one of the most primitive vegetation formations on Earth. Providing a unique window into our planet’s ancient past, the cool temperate rain-forests in takayna were once widespread across the ancient super continent Gondwana. Some of the best-preserved plant fossil sites in the world, dating back 65 million years. Magnesite karst systems of caves and pinnacles considered internationally rare. There are groves of some the tallest hardwood trees around, numerous wild rivers, and spectacular mountain ranges.
takayna / Tarkine is now gaining international recognition for the its’ outstanding beauty, natural and cultural values and the important position it holds for the future of our planet. Until the early 2000s the forests of Tarkine were inaccessible for walking tours. Tarkine Trails facilitates immersive small group walking experiences in this ancient wilderness. It is our privilege and passion to be part of showcasing this unique place to our visitors.
WHY ‘TAKAYNA’?
You may see us refer to the Tarkine as ‘takayna/Tarkine’. ‘takayna’ (tah kye nah) is the palawa kani name for this region. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre says:
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takayna (tah kye nah) is recorded as the name of the people from the Sandy Cape-Pieman River area.
It is an acceptable practice to use the same word for a place as for the people of that place. Other words for a place are the same as the word for ‘the nation at that place’; some examples are nungu and yingina.
So we revive takayna for the Tarkine area, and also for the people of that area.
There are no other names recorded for this place or its people.
The English spelling ‘Tarkine’ has been used since the 1980s as the place name for an area of more than 447,000 hectares between the Arthur and Pieman Rivers. Conservationists chose that word with Aboriginal approval to name the area, based on one spelling variant of the name of the Aboriginal people from the Sandy Cape/Pieman River area – ‘Tarkiner’.
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Out of respect for the original inhabitants of the land, we refer to it by takayna first, and Tarkine second, where possible.
