The Best Tarkine Walks at Corinna (Ranked by Difficulty)

The moment you cross the Pieman River on the Fatman Barge, you step into a different kind of place. The noise falls away. The air changes. And all around you, the takayna/Tarkine, the largest cool temperate rainforest in Australia, begins to make its presence felt.

Corinna sits right at the heart of this ancient landscape, and some of the most rewarding Tarkine walks set off directly from the village. Whether you have half an hour or a full day, comfortable footwear or serious hiking boots, there is a walk here with your name on it.

This guide covers every walk accessible from Corinna, ranked from the gentlest stroll to the most challenging full-day adventure, so you can use it to plan your time on the ground.

A note before you head out:

Conditions in the Tarkine can change quickly.

Tracks become muddy after rain, and 'after rain' in western Tasmania can mean almost any day of the year. Good footwear is worth the investment. Many of the walks involve boardwalks over wet ground, so watch your step. The good news: the rain is what keeps this rainforest extraordinary.

Our Tip: There is no mobile reception at Corinna, so download any maps you need before you arrive, or pick up a printed track guide from reception on arrival.

Easy Corinna walks: minimal to no experience needed

Burrowing Crayfish Area (3 minutes, ~30m)

The shortest walk in this guide is also one of the most quietly surprising. A short boardwalk leads to an observation platform above the burrows of one of Tasmania's most unusual creatures, the burrowing crayfish, endemic to Tasmania and Victoria.

These freshwater crayfish live their entire lives underground, emerging only at night. The observation platform gives you a window into their world without disturbing it. An easy, worthwhile stop for guests of all ages and abilities.

Distance: ~30m return | Time: 3 minutes | Terrain: Flat boardwalk | Fitness level: Anyone, including wheelchair users

Huon Pine Boardwalk (20 minutes, ~300m)

This is one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks, and it earns the title. The boardwalk winds through rainforest to a viewing platform overlooking an ancient Huon Pine that overhangs the Pieman River, a living relic from the age of the supercontinent Gondwana.

Huon Pines can live for more than 3,000 years. The one at the end of this boardwalk has been growing since long before European settlement of Australia.

The walk is wheelchair accessible and fully interpretive, with signage along the way explaining the ecology of the rainforest and the remarkable biology of the Huon Pine. Corinna marks the northernmost point where this species grows, reason enough to come and see it for yourself.

When you're done, you can link to the accommodation at Corinna for a quiet afternoon on the verandah.

Distance: ~300m return | Time: 20 minutes | Terrain: Flat boardwalk; wheelchair accessible | Fitness level: Anyone

Gravestones Walk (3 minutes, ~50m)

A few steps from the village, a short path leads to the graves of two of Corinna's original publicans, Davis and Webster. The headstones are replicas in Huon Pine; the originals are held at the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.

It is a quiet, reflective stop that connects you to the human history layered into this place. The Tarkine has been inhabited for approximately 40,000 years. The gold rush families who lie here arrived very recently indeed.

Distance: ~50m return | Time: 3 minutes | Terrain: Flat, short path | Fitness level: Anyone

Moderate walks: some fitness required

Old Telegraph Hill (30 minutes, ~1.5km return)

A step up in effort, this track climbs through lush rainforest to the summit of Old Telegraph Hill. There is no view from the top, the forest is too dense, but that is somewhat beside the point. The walking itself is the reward: the sounds of the bush, the softness of the light, the texture of the understorey.

Be aware that this track can be muddy after rain. Closed-toe shoes or boots are recommended.

Distance: ~1.5km return | Time: 30 minutes | Terrain: Hill climb; can be muddy | Fitness level: Moderate; suitable for most adults

Whyte River Track (1.5 hours, ~3km loop)

This is the walk to do if you are chasing wildlife. Among all the Corinna walks, the Whyte River Track is the one most likely to reward patience. The Whyte River Track loops through rainforest to the banks of the Whyte River, where the still, reflective water makes for excellent photography. At dawn and dusk, this is one of the best spots around Corinna to look for platypus, though they require patience and a quiet approach.

Pademelons are commonly spotted along the track, particularly in the late afternoon. Bennett's Wallabies are a regular sight in the clearings.

The Whyte River reflects the rainforest so perfectly it can be hard to tell which way is up.

The loop track can be done in either direction. Allow a full 1.5 hours and consider starting early in the morning for the best wildlife encounters. This walk also connects to the broader Heart of the Tarkine experience that Corinna offers its guests.

Distance: ~3km loop | Time: 1.5 hours | Terrain: Forest track; river sections; generally well-formed | Fitness level: Moderate; suitable for families with older children

Challenging walks: full commitment required

Savage River Walk (4 hours return, ~2.5km one way)

This is the walk that earns bragging rights. The Savage River Walk follows the river through old-growth forest, passing enormous myrtle beech trees and ancient Huon Pines before reaching the wreck of the SS Croydon, sunk in 1919 and now widely considered Australia's furthest inland shipwreck.

The walk gains some elevation as it follows the ridgeline, with views opening up at certain points. Budget a full morning for the return trip. Some guests choose to reach the Savage River by kayak or Sweetwater Cruise and then walk back, which makes for a satisfying one-way journey through the forest.

Return by boat is an option on days when the Sweetwater Cruise operates. Check with reception on arrival for the day's schedule. You can find more about the kayaking and cruise options on the Corinna website.

Distance: ~2.5km one way (~5km return) | Time: 4 hours return | Terrain: Forest track and ridgeline; some steep and uneven sections | Fitness level: Moderate to challenging; good footwear essential

Mount Donaldson (full day, ~4km from car park)

Mount Donaldson the big one among Tarkine walks Tasmania has to offer. Located approximately 9km by road from Corinna, the summit sits above the treeline on an exposed buttongrass plateau with panoramic views across the Tarkine and out toward the Southern Ocean.

The climb is strenuous and the summit is exposed to the elements, which can be dramatic and swiftly changeable. Warm and waterproof clothing is essential, even in summer. Take more food and water than you think you need. Start early.

Standing on Mount Donaldson, you look out over 450,000 hectares of wilderness. On a clear day, there is nothing between you and the Southern Ocean.

This walk can be extended into a longer route by combining it with the Link Walk and the Savage River Walk for an 8 to 10 hour full-day adventure - one for the experienced and well-prepared.

Distance: ~4km from car park (return); combined route up to ~9km | Time: Full day | Terrain: Exposed summit; steep sections; buttongrass and rocky trail | Fitness level: Challenging; experienced walkers; appropriate footwear and clothing essential.

Further afield: day trips from Corinna

Philosopher's Falls (~2.5km return, under 2 hours)

A short drive from Corinna, near Waratah, Philosopher's Falls rewards a morning detour. The multi-tiered waterfall is reached via a well-formed track through eucalypt and myrtle forest, with signs along the way interpreting the history of the old mining water race.

The falls themselves are a genuine spectacle, particularly after good rainfall. Allow half a day for the round trip from Corinna, including the 10km drive.

Distance: ~2.5km return | Time: Under 2 hours walking; allow half a day from Corinna | Terrain: Well-formed track; some steps | Fitness level: Moderate

Planning your Tarkine walks Tasmania

A few things worth knowing before you lace up for any walks in the Tarkine rainforest:

• Check in with reception when you arrive. Staff can tell you which tracks are in the best condition and what wildlife has been spotted recently.

• Download maps in advance. There is no mobile reception at Corinna.

• Wear proper footwear. Even the shorter tracks can be slippery after rain, and many of the longer ones involve uneven ground.

• Carry more water than you think you need, especially on the Mount Donaldson route.

• Start early for wildlife encounters and to give yourself time on the longer walks.

• Birdwatching is excellent year-round. The Azure Kingfisher is often spotted near the barge in early morning. Blue Wrens are abundant throughout the village. White-Bellied Sea Eagles nest on the Pieman.

• The Tarkine has been here for 65 million years. It will still be waiting when you arrive. But there is something to be said for not waiting too long.

Ready to plan your stay?

Browse our wilderness cottages and eco-cabins and find the one that suits your group. And if you have questions about tracks, conditions, or what to expect on the ground, contact our team at reception who are always happy to help.

All walks depart from or near the Corinna village unless otherwise noted. Track conditions vary seasonally. Always check with reception on arrival for current conditions.