About Lovers Falls
Lovers Falls drops around 40 metres through cool temperate rainforest in takayna/the Tarkine, a short way downstream from Corinna. A timber stairway, known locally as the Stairway to Heaven, climbs from the riverbank to a viewing platform beside the falls.
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Locals tell two very different stories about how the falls got their name.
Read both in Why They Call It Lovers Falls.
How to Get There
By kayak
Hire a kayak for the self-guided Lovers Falls/Savage River paddle and allow about three hours. Along the way you pass the wreck of the S.S. Croydon, sunk in 1919. Every hire starts with a mandatory safety briefing, and life jackets and paddles are provided.
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Half-day hire: $50 per kayak, sessions at 9:00am and 1:00pm
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Full-day hire: $75 per kayak, from 9:00am
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Kayaks must be back at Corinna by 4:30pm
By cruise
The Sweetwater Cruise is a one-hour smooth water trip for up to 8 passengers. It moors at the Lovers Falls stairway, then takes in a wedge-tailed eagle's nest and the S.S. Croydon on the Savage River. It runs most days after the Pieman River Cruise.
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Small group: a maximum of 8 passengers per trip
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Guided: a knowledgeable skipper explains the river’s features along the way
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Walk back option: return on foot along the Savage River walk, adding about 30 to 45 minutes
Best time to go
Kayaking and cruises run at full capacity in peak season, from mid-September to mid-May. Outside those months, trips depend on availability. All water activities depend on wind, rain and tide, and can be cancelled at short notice.
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Peak season: mid-September to mid-May, when kayaking and cruises run their full schedule
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Off-peak: from May to August, trips are subject to availability and weather
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Be prepared: west coast weather changes quickly, so pack warm, waterproof layers
What to Expect
Expect still, tea-coloured water, thick rainforest on both banks and very few other people. From the landing, the stairway leads up to the viewing platform, where the falls come into full view. Bring a waterproof layer, closed shoes for the steps and a dry bag for your camera.
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Water access only: there's no walking track, so you arrive by kayak or cruise
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The stairway: a timber staircase, known locally as the Stairway to Heaven, climbs from the landing to the viewing platform
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A 40 metre drop: the falls tumble through cool temperate rainforest in takayna/the Tarkine
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Local history: pass the wreck of the S.S. Croydon, sunk in 1919 and visible at low tide in the right conditions
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Wildlife: look out for a long-term wedge-tailed eagle's nest on the Pieman River
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Safety first: every kayak hire starts with a safety briefing, with life jackets and paddles provided
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Weather dependent: west coast conditions change quickly, so trips can be cancelled at short notice
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No drones: drones aren't permitted, to protect wildlife and the natural environment
Can you walk to Lovers Falls?
No. There's no walking track to Lovers Falls from Corinna or from any road. The falls are reached by water only, either by paddling a hire kayak from Corinna or on a guided cruise that moors at the base of the timber stairway. From the landing, the stairway climbs to the viewing platform.
How long does it take to get to Lovers Falls?
Allow about three hours for the self-guided Lovers Falls/Savage River paddle, which also takes in the wreck of the S.S. Croydon. The Sweetwater Cruise is a one-hour trip that moors at the Lovers Falls stairway along the way.
When is the best time of year to visit Lovers Falls?
Kayaking and cruises run at full capacity in peak season, from mid-September to mid-May. Outside those months, trips are subject to availability and weather. All water activities depend on wind, rain and tide, so check conditions with reception on the day.
Is Lovers Falls suitable for kids and beginners?
Yes, with the right choice of trip. Every kayak hire starts with a mandatory safety briefing, life jackets and paddles are provided, and the paddle is self-guided. The three-hour Lovers Falls paddle suits older kids and confident paddlers. For younger children or first-timers, the one-hour Sweetwater Cruise reaches the falls without a paddle, and the two-hour Whyte River paddle is the family-friendly kayak option.
Frequently Asked Questions
