Frequently Asked Questions
Getting There and Vehicle Access
Is the road to Corinna sealed?
Not for the final stretch, no. Whichever direction you're coming from, the last section into Corinna is unsealed, a well-formed all-weather gravel road surfaced with silica (crushed local mine tailings) rather than bitumen. From the south, via Zeehan and Savage River, you're on the Corinna Developmental Road. From the north, the approach is the Western Explorer Road through takayna/the Tarkine. Both are narrow and winding with a handful of very short sealed sections on the steepest pinches, but otherwise gravel the whole way.
None of that should put you off. The roads are actively maintained and driven by sedans, campervans and tour buses every day. Just treat them like the gravel roads they are: drop your speed, especially on blind corners and after rain, and budget a little longer than a sealed-road drive of the same distance would take.
How long does it take to drive to Corinna?
Roughly 3 hours 30 minutes from Launceston ( approx. 267kms), 5 hours 20 minutes from Hobart, ( approx. 340 to 400kms) and 2 hours 25 minutes from Devonport (approx. 170 to 192 kms). All three routes include the final unsealed stretch described above, so build in a buffer rather than cutting it fine for the barge's last crossing.
What is the Fatman Barge, and do I need to book it?
The Fatman Barge is the only cable-driven vehicular barge left in Tasmania, and it's the way most guests cross the Pieman River into Corinna. The crossing itself takes just 3 to 5 minutes over a river that's 130 metres wide and 20 metres deep at that point. It runs seven days a week, year-round, no booking required: you simply drive up and cross. Hours are 9am to 7pm during daylight saving and 9am to 5pm outside it.
Fares are $15 for a motorcycle, pedestrian or bicycle, $30 for a standard car, ute or 4WD, and $35 for an extended vehicle, caravan or trailer.
Can I bring a caravan, camper trailer or motorhome to Corinna?
Yes. The Fatman Barge is rated to carry a combined vehicle and trailer up to 9.0 metres wheelbase and 2.50 metres wide, with a minimum 0.2 metre underbody clearance for caravans, and there are three campground sites set aside specifically for vans and motorhomes. The unsealed approach roads are the bigger consideration than the barge itself: they're manageable towing a van, but narrow and winding, so take corners slowly and allow extra time.
Do I need a 4WD to get to Corinna, or is a 2WD car enough?
A standard 2WD car is fine for the main route from the south via Zeehan, driven at a sensible pace in reasonable conditions. The Western Explorer Road from the north is rougher and more remote, with tighter curves, and a 4WD is the safer choice on that approach, particularly after rain. Whichever way you're coming, check current road conditions before you leave if there's been recent heavy weather.
Where can I charge an electric vehicle near Corinna?
There's no charging available on site at Corinna, the property's power supply isn't set up for it. The nearest confirmed public chargers appear to be in Zeehan, Strahan and Queenstown to the south, and Burnie to the north, but charger availability may change, so this needs a check against a current source like PlugShare before it goes on the site. Plan to arrive with a full charge and charge again once you leave.
Connectivity and What to Expect
Does Corinna have mobile reception or Wi-Fi?
No, and it's entirely deliberate. There's no mobile phone reception and no Wi-Fi anywhere in the village. Rather than a gap in the experience, it's central to what a stay at Corinna is: a genuine chance to switch off, with reception, the Tarkine Hotel and on-site staff still very much part of daily life if you need anything.
What should I pack for a stay at Corinna?
Warm layers, whatever the season. The rainforest holds its own cool, damp microclimate, and evenings can be chilly year-round even in summer. Sturdy, closed shoes rather than sandals for the walking tracks, which can be muddy after rain, and a torch is worth having on the verandah after dark for spotting nocturnal wildlife. Since there's no Wi-Fi, it's worth packing something to properly disconnect with too: a book, cards, a camera for the wildlife.
For the full list, see our guide to what to pack for Corinna.
Accommodation and Camping
What accommodation options are available at Corinna?
Eighteen self-contained cottages, from the compact Roadman's Cottage and the Queen and Twin Eco Retreats through to the two-storey Mezzanine Eco Retreat, the Family Eco Retreat, and The Old Pub, a five-bedroom historic cottage sleeping up to eight. Every cottage has its own kitchenette, linen and toiletries, a private ensuite, gas heating and a private verandah.
Can I camp at Corinna?
Yes, there are ten campsites, three suited to vans and motorhomes and seven for tents and swags, with shared toilets, a $2 coin shower, and BBQs on site. There's no camp kitchen, no dump point, and no rubbish collection, so campers need to be self-sufficient and take their rubbish away with them.
Activities, Weather and Wildlife
What is there to do at Corinna?
The Arcadia II, the only Huon pine river cruiser still operating anywhere in the world, cruises the Pieman River, and the smaller Sweetwater Cruise reaches further up the Savage River. Kayaks and canoes are available for self-guided paddles, including the route to Lovers Falls. A handful of walks lead straight from the village, from the easy, pram-friendly Huon Pine Boardwalk through to the longer Whyte River Track and Mount Donaldson for more experienced walkers. Fishing, birdwatching and photography round out a stay, and none of it needs to be rushed.
What's the best time of year to visit Corinna?
Peak season runs from mid-September to mid-May, when the Tannin Restaurant, the cruises and kayaking are all running at full tilt. Winter, from mid-May to mid-September, is quieter and colder, with log fires in the cottages and a Stay 3, Pay 2 deal most years. Autumn brings the Tarkine's fungi season, usually through May and June. Rain is a fact of rainforest life at Corinna in any season, and honestly, it's part of what makes the place what it is rather than something to plan around avoiding.
Will I see wildlife during my stay?
Very likely, and often without trying. Bennett's wallabies and pademelons come out onto the lawns at dusk, the Azure Kingfisher is often spotted along the riverbank near the barge in the early morning, and the Tarkine's Tasmanian devil population is a healthy one, free of facial tumour disease. Platypus occasionally show themselves on the Pieman at dawn or dusk if you're patient.
Food, Facilities and Families
Is there somewhere to eat at Corinna?
Yes, the Tarkine Hotel houses the Tannin Restaurant and the Ahrberg Bar, serving Tasmanian produce with a focus on local seafood, meat and homemade soups. Hours vary by season, with lunch and dinner service in peak season and a scaled-back winter offering, so it's worth checking current hours when you book. There's also a small general store with limited provisions and gifts, but Corinna isn't the place to rely on for a full grocery shop, so it's worth stocking up in Zeehan or Waratah on the way in.
Is Corinna a good destination for families with kids?
Yes. The self-contained Family and Mezzanine Eco Retreats were built with families in mind, several of the walks and paddles are gentle enough for younger legs, and the lack of Wi-Fi tends to make for calmer days rather than harder ones once the initial adjustment wears off. Our family guide to Corinna goes into more detail on which cabins, walks and paddles suit which ages.
