Discover Tasmania’s Tarkine: A 5-day roadtrip guide

March 8, 2026

Five days exploring Tasmania’s Tarkine: rainforest walks, windswept coast, ancient petroglyphs and the remote Road to Nowhere.

The Tarkine (Takayna) is one of Tasmania’s wildest corners. Here, ancient rainforest meets vast buttongrass plains, tannin-stained rivers, a windswept coast, and sacred Aboriginal sites. It’s raw, remote, and utterly captivating.

Spanning some of the world’s largest Gondwanan temperate rainforests, the Tarkine is rich in biodiversity—and home to Aboriginal cultural sites dating back millennia.

The Tarkine isn’t a quick tourist stop—it’s a roadtrip that demands time, curiosity, and a love of the untamed.

We explored the Tarkine over five days via the Tarkine Drive (130 km, 20+ stops) and the Western Explorer—also known as the Road to Nowhere (100 km of mostly dirt).

If you want a more accessible Tasmanian roadtrip, the East Coast is for you. But for a wilder, grittier adventure where the journey itself is part of the reward, the Tarkine is hard to beat.

Our Tarkine route:

Day 1 — Tarkine Drive – Inland Rainforest Circuit (Smithton return | Camp: Tall Timbers)
Days 2 & 3 — Tarkine Drive – Coastal Route (Smithton ➜ Marrawah ➜ Arthur River | Camps: Green Point + Prickly Wattle)
Days 4 & 5 — Western Explorer (Arthur River ➜ Corinna, Fatman Barge | Camp: Savage River)

Getting to the Tarkine Drive

The Tarkine Drive sits in Tasmania’s far north-west, and the small town of Smithton makes the easiest starting point for exploring the inland rainforest section.

If you’re arriving on the Spirit of Tasmania, it’s about a 2-hour drive from Devonport. From Launceston, allow around 3 hours. Once you reach Smithton, you’re right on the doorstep of the Tarkine wilderness.

Most travellers start with the Inland Rainforest Circuit, then head west toward Marrawah and Arthur River to explore the rugged coast. From there, the adventure can continue south along the Western Explorer — a remote gravel road that cuts through the heart of the Tarkine toward Corinna.

Quick driving distances:

Devonport → Smithton: ~2 hours
Launceston → Smithton: ~3 hours
Smithton → Arthur River: ~1.5 hours
–

Road tips:

Fuel up in Smithton or Marrawah before heading deeper into the Tarkine.
Most of the Tarkine Drive is 2WD friendly, but the Western Explorer is gravel and can get rough in places.
Download maps before you go — reception is patchy or non-existent once you’re out there.

Day 1: Tarkine Drive – Inland Rainforest Circuit

Smithton is the perfect base for your first Tarkine leg: the Inland Rainforest Circuit. The 60 km circuit will take a full day, but factor in another 80 km to get there and back from town.

The inland circuit takes in 60 kilometres of the total Tarkine drive, but you’ll clock up around 140 km getting to the start of the drive and back from Smithton.

It’ll take you a full day to get to all of the attractions on the inland circuit.

Highlights you shouldn’t miss:

Trowutta Arch – A fern-framed limestone arch with a vivid green 20-metre-deep sinkhole. If you only see one inland site, make it this one.
Julius River – Rainforest walks through towering trees and mossy ferns.
Milkshake Hills – Panoramic views across the plains and distant mountains (road is bumpy but doable in a 2WD).
Lake Chisolm – A serene 1.4 km rainforest walk that feels ancient.
Sumac Lookout – Vast rainforest vistas and a moment of reflection.
–

Where we stayed:

Tall Timbers RV Site, Smithton (free)
_

Tips:

If towing a van, leave it at Tall Timbers—it’ll make the drive easier.
Short on time? Focus on Trowutta Arch and head straight to the coast.
–

Trowutta Arch

If you only see one site on the inland circuit, make it Trowutta Arch. Trowutta Arch is a standout of the Inland Rainforest Circuit. The 20-metre-deep sinkhole glows a brilliant green beneath a rugged limestone arch formed by ancient collapse. The 1.1 km return trail (Grade 1) winds through the Trowutta Caves State Reserve, offering an easy, unforgettable glimpse into the Tarkine’s wild heart.

Days 2 & 3: Tarkine Drive – Coastal Route

The second leg of your Takayna (Tarkine) adventure takes you to Marrawah—Tasmania’s westernmost community—and onward to the mouth of the Arthur River, where tannin-stained waters spill into the Southern Ocean.

Tassie’s remote north-west coast is rugged, windswept, and beautifully wild. Solitude reigns here, driftwood piles like sculptures, Tasmanian devils roam in secret, and 14,000-year-old petroglyphs tell the stories of an ancient culture. Spend a day or two exploring this coastline—you won’t regret it.

Highlights you can’t miss:

Green Point – Spectacular 3-hour return coastal walk to Preminghana (formerly Mt Cameron West).
West Point – Bright orange, lichen-covered rock formations that are perfect for photos.
Edge of the World – Stand at this iconic viewpoint and gaze out over the longest uninterrupted stretch of ocean on Earth.
Petroglyph Coastal Walk (Sundown Point) – A wild, windswept coastline dotted with ancient Aboriginal rock carvings (get directions from the local rangers).
Marrawah Inn – Grab a cold beer and chat with friendly locals after a day of exploring.
_

Where we stayed:

Green Point, Marrawah (free)
Prickly Wattle, Arthur River (low cost)
–

Together, these spots capture the Tarkine’s wild, untamed spirit and make for an unforgettable day on Tassie’s far northwest coast.

Green Point

Start your coastal exploration at Green Point, where a spectacular 3-hour return walk takes you along windswept cliffs to Preminghana (formerly Mt Cameron West). The trail winds past rugged coastline, tussock-covered hills, and dramatic ocean vistas, offering moments to pause, breathe, and soak in the raw power of the Southern Ocean.

West Point

Just a short drive away, West Point is a photographer’s dream: bright orange, lichen-covered rocks rise against the backdrop of turquoise waves, creating a striking contrast that feels almost otherworldly. West Point is the West Coast’s answer to the iconic Bay of Fires.

Sundown Point

The Petroglyph Coastal Walk at Sundown Point winds along a rugged, windswept coastline where ancient Aboriginal rock carvings lie hidden in the sandstone. These 14,000-year-old petroglyphs can be tricky to spot on your own, so have a chat with the local rangers—they’ll point you in the right direction. With the ocean crashing beside you and the wind tugging at your jacket, the walk feels raw, wild, and truly special.

Days 4 & 5: Corrina (Road to Nowhere)

The ‘Road to Nowhere’ (Western Explorer) is a remote and windy 120-kilometre stretch of dirt road cutting deep into the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area.

Windswept buttongrass plains, charred countryside, rolling hills, dark rivers, and ancient Tarkine forest make this leg feel like a true adventure.

The bitumen fades to white gravel about 30 km southeast of Arthur River. No 4WD needed, but expect potholes—and take it slow if you’re in a hatchback!

Highlights you can’t miss:

Balfour ghost town – A detour to this abandoned mining settlement reveals a curious ‘pub’ with no beer and a chilly 12V fridge waiting for visitors to BYO.
Savage River – Camp beside this serene waterway under towering forest. A crackling fire adds to the moody scene, and keep an eye out for the endangered Grey Goshawk soaring overhead.
Lovers Falls – If the weather’s kind, hire a kayak and paddle downstream from Corinna to the falls for a serene riverside experience.
Corinna – Explore short walks like the Savage River Walk, Whyte River Track, and Old Telegraph Hill for a glimpse of the forest and river life up close.
_

Where we stayed:

Savage River Overnighter – Near the Mount Donaldson Summit Walk trailhead. There are clearings on either side of the Savage River crossing suitable for small rigs (the northern side is best).
If roughing it isn’t your style, the Corinna Hotel offers rooms and powered van sites.
_

Our tips:

Use the Fatman Barge to cross the Pieman River and continue south. Check restrictions for caravan size—only smaller rigs can cross.
Take your time and embrace the remoteness; this stretch is about soaking in the Tarkine’s raw, untamed beauty.
_

Balfour ghost town

A detour to Balfour is a super quirky and worthy side mission, if you’re travelling in a 4WD. This abandoned mining settlement is eerie but fascinating—with most of its remains having been reclaimed by the wild Tarkine. A ramshackle pub is standing, though there’s no beer—just a chilly 12V fridge ready for BYO.