Corinna on the Pieman River

Corinna lies on the Pieman River, on the southern edge of the Takayna / Tarkine wilderness. The former gold-mining settlement is the only surviving historic mining settlement in a remote part of Tasmania. The area connects its history with different ways to experience the surroundings: along riverside trails, with a chance to spot wildlife, on a downstream cruise or by kayak. For travellers, Corinna’s appeal lies in these different perspectives.

Trails for a loop or a destination

The Whyte River Track is a 1.5-hour loop that starts and ends in Corinna. Along the way, you may spot platypuses, especially at dawn or dusk; sightings are not guaranteed. The Link Walk connects Corinna on foot with Mount Donaldson. The trails therefore differ in their basic format: the Whyte River Track loops back to its starting point, while the Link Walk connects to a named destination. You can weigh up whether you prefer a loop with a chance of spotting wildlife or the walking connection to Mount Donaldson.

Along the banks of the Pieman River, the Huon Pine Walk winds through dense, overgrown forest. At the Burrowing Crayfish Area, by contrast, there is a viewing point at the end of the trail: it starts opposite Corinna’s pub and leads there via a 50 m-long boardwalk. The trails offer different highlights—here, a forest walk by the river; there, a boardwalk to a specific viewing spot.

The Pieman River by boat and kayak

On the Pieman River cruise, the perspective shifts from the riverside trail to the water. The MV Arcadia II departs from Corinna and travels downstream towards Pieman Heads. It is the only operating river cruiser in the world made from Huon pine and operates the cruise for Corinna Wilderness Village. Both the distinctive vessel and the direction of travel shape this way to experience the Pieman River. Cruises and schedules may vary depending on the season and weather; check the latest cruise details before your trip.

You can paddle from Corinna to Lovers Falls by kayak; the waterfall is accessible only by water. Unlike the cruise, paddling is also the only way to reach the destination. The activity depends on the conditions, which you should take into account before setting out. The two water experiences are therefore quite different: the Arcadia II travels downstream, while a kayak provides access to Lovers Falls.

Getting there and planning your trip

For travel by car, the “Fatman” Barge allows vehicles to cross the Pieman River to Corinna from either the north or south. Check the barge’s operating conditions before your trip. This crossing is for getting there; the trails, cruise and kayaking offer different ways to experience Corinna and the river once you arrive.

If you are considering Corinna as a place to stay, your preferred focus can guide your search: would you mainly like to explore on foot, take a river cruise or paddle to Lovers Falls by kayak? A loop walk, a walking route to a destination and experiences on the water offer different approaches to planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Swansea, Ranelagh, Fentonbury, Port Sorell, Petcheys Bay, Woodbridge, Sheffield, Waratah

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.