Savage River to Corinna — Pieman River Wilderness Back Road via Hellyer Gorge
End of the road. The barge is your only way out.
Corinna sits at the end of the road — literally. The only way across the Pieman River is the Fatman barge, a hand-operated cable ferry that’s been running since the tin mining days. Getting there from Savage River means working through Hellyer Gorge country on a mix of gravel forestry roads and deteriorating back tracks that parallel the Pieman’s upper tributaries. The route crosses open buttongrass plains where the sky opens up before the track drops back into myrtle rainforest so thick you lose sight of the ridgeline entirely. Creek crossings are frequent and the road surface can turn to soup after sustained northwest coast rain.
This isn’t a road to rush. A capable 4WD with good all-terrain tyres and a snatch block setup will handle it, but a standard 4WD will bottom out on the rougher creek approaches in wet conditions. Best run late spring through autumn — winter northwest coast weather can close sections for days. Fuel at Savage River or Waratah before heading in; Corinna has basic supplies and firewood. The reward is one of the most remote river camp settings in the country, where the Pieman is wide, dark-tannin slow, and completely yours after the day-trippers leave.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 37 mi / 60 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | October-May |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Savage River, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Forestry Tasmania / Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Patrol handle this, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 200 Series or GU Patrol can manage it, but you need low-range, good all-terrain tyres, and full recovery gear — snatch strap, hi-lift, shovel minimum. A lift helps on the muddier sections after rain, but it's not a dealbreaker. A stock RAV4 or soft-roader is a hard no.
What months is this route actually passable?
October through May is the reliable window. Winter (June–August) brings heavy rain and snow on the higher sections, and the track through Hellyer Gorge can close or become genuinely impassable with mud and washouts. Always check with Forestry Tasmania before heading out, even in the shoulder months.
Do I need a permit to drive through here, and is there a fee?
No permit is required for the back road itself, but the Corinna Barge (Fatman Barge) crossing over the Pieman River is a paid ferry service — check current pricing and operating hours directly with Corinna Wilderness Experience before you leave, because if you miss it, you're driving back out the same 60km you just came in.
What's the hardest section and what makes it genuinely technical?
The descent into and through Hellyer Gorge is where things get serious — steep, off-camber, and deeply rutted after rain, with tight tree lines that punish wide vehicles. Water crossings here have no easy read on depth after heavy rainfall, and rock shelves can catch a skid plate hard. Take it slow, walk crossings first, and don't rush the gorge section.
The route ends at the Corinna barge — what are the operating hours and what happens if I miss the last crossing?
The Fatman Barge operates daily but has limited hours — typically morning and afternoon crossings, with the last run in the late afternoon. Hours vary by season and can change, so call Corinna Wilderness Experience before you start the trail. Miss the barge and your only option is camping at Corinna overnight or turning around and driving the whole route back out — there's no other exit.
Trail track
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