Tarkine Wilderness Drive — Arthur River to Corinna via the Savage River Plateau
The Tarkine doesn't forgive soft tyres.
The Tarkine is the largest temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere, and the dirt roads threading through it from the Arthur River bridge south to the Pieman River crossing at Corinna feel like they belong to another century. You’ll push through clay-heavy forest tracks on the Savage River Plateau where ruts can swallow a wheel rim after rain, cross the Sumac Road junction — a key navigation waypoint — and eventually drop down to Corinna, a tiny settlement accessible only by a small punt ferry across the Pieman River. The rainforest closes in hard on both sides, the canopy overhead is cathedral-quiet, and mobile service disappears entirely within minutes of leaving Arthur River.
This is genuine mud-country driving. After rain, even a properly equipped 4WD with a locker and good all-terrain tyres will be working hard. A recovery kit — snatch block, tree saver, and at least two rated shackles — is non-negotiable. Best attempted November through April in drier conditions, though you’re never truly guaranteed a dry run. Fuel at Smithton or Waratah before you go; Corinna has no servo. Dispersed camping is possible along the plateau tracks, and the Corinna Wilderness Experience has powered sites. No permit required for vehicle access through the state forest sections.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1680 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Locked 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Smithton, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Forestry Tasmania / Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Prado or 4Runner handle this, or do I need lockers?
Lockers are listed as minimum requirement for good reason — the Savage River Plateau sections get greasy clay mud that will defeat open diffs, especially after rain. A stock high-clearance 4WD with a rear locker is workable in dry conditions; without any lockers in the wet, you're a recovery waiting to happen.
What months is the Tarkine Wilderness Drive actually passable?
November through April is the window. Winter brings sustained rain that turns the plateau tracks into axle-deep mud traps, and some sections become impassable even for well-equipped rigs. Even in summer, a single wet day can change conditions dramatically — check with Forestry Tasmania before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive through and camp in the Tarkine?
No permit is required for the drive itself, but some sections cross Forestry Tasmania managed land where road closures can be issued at short notice — check current access status at parks.tas.gov.au before departure. Dispersed camping is permitted, but leave no trace rules apply strictly in this wilderness area.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The Savage River Plateau crossing is where most rigs get into trouble — expect deep rutted clay, off-camber shelf road, and creek crossings with no easy bypass if water is up. At 109km over 2-3 days, the pace sounds gentle until you hit that plateau and spend two hours covering 10km.
How far out do I need to fuel up, and is there any resupply between Arthur River and Corinna?
Fill up in Smithton before you leave — there is zero fuel between Arthur River and Corinna, and no resupply of any kind along the route. Corinna has a small general store and fuel at the Pieman River ferry crossing, but treat that as emergency backup, not a plan.
Trail track
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