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Tarkine Explorer
Summary
2012
January
February
March
April
May
4, 11, 18, 25
1, 8, 15, 22, 29
7, 14, 21, 28
4, 11, 18, 25
2
Tour Difficulty
The tour is designed to give people with a broad range of fitness levels access to stunning wilderness. All the day walks (max 4-5 hours of walking) can be completed with light weight day packs including a water bottle, snacks, rain jacket and a jumper.
On day one we walk for 40 minutes into Tiger Ridge base camp. You are required to carry a pack with your clothes and sleeping bag into base camp. The pack should weigh between 8-10kg. If you cannot manage this, your guide will be able to assist you. If you have any concerns about this, please call the office and we can discuss these with you. See the detailed trip grading by opening up the itinerary PDF below.
See above for breakdown of days and activities. Also refer to the Tarkine Explorer Itinerary PDF by using the link below.
The Tarkine Explorer will be a 5 day tour for the 2011/12 Season
Nights 1 & 2
Tarkine Rainforest Retreat – Large canvas tents – twin share only
Composting Toilet
Japanese style wash shelter
Kitchen/dining facilities in the Tarkine Longhouse
Nights 3 & 4
Corinna Eco Cabins – Mixture of 1 and 2 room cabins. Each room has either 1 queen, 2 singles or 3 singles.
2011/12 Season
$1,899 per person - 5 Days
Use the headings to the left to view additional details on this tour.
Day one
Highlights
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The scenic drive into the Tarkine including a unique view of Cradle Mountain (weather dependent)
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Stepping into the rainforest from the vehicle, engulfed by a green world
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Arrival at Tarkine Rainforest Retreat
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Dinner in the Tarkine Longhouse
The journey starts in Hobart with guests joining us on route to Burnie for lunch and a gear check. After lunch, we head south toward our Tarkine Rainforest Retreat located in the South East corner of the Tarkine. We depart the main road and drive along a remote gravel track before gathering our packs for the forty minutes up a steep ridge into the lush green rain forest and towering canopy of giant Eucalyptus and Myrtle that surround the camp. On arrival at our camp, your guides show you to your accommodation (large twin share canvas tents) and then busy themselves preparing the evening meal in the Tarkine Longhouse, our new custom designed shelter perched on the edge of Tiger Ridge, affording stunning views into the rainforest canopy. Each meal has been carefully selected and designed by a Tasmanian chef to add to your experience. After dinner around our 12 seater Tasmanian Oak dinner table, relax on the lounge by our fire before a peaceful sleep nestled in the rainforest.
Day two
Highlights
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Day walk to the Huskisson River, the smell, taste and touch of the forest.
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Being miles from anywhere, immersed in a giant and remote rainforest.
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Exploring the Huskisson River after lunch on the river bank. A swim for those who are keen!
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Camping at Tarkine Rainforest Retreat
We wake and prepare our day packs for a remote walk to the Huskisson River, a wild and unknown rainforest flanked rivers. The track follows a series of tags through a remote section of rain forest. The remoteness guarantees that we won’t see anyone else for the entire time, a unique experience. The grand Eucalyptus canopy towers above an under story of ancient Myrtle, Sassafras and giant Tree ferns. The 3.5 to 4.5 hour round walk to the river is challenging in parts, but the reward is well worth it, and yep it’s perfect for a swim. A tasty lunch complete with hot billy tea or coffee and fine Tasmanian produce is served along the banks of the Huskisson. We then relax by the river, exploring, reading or swimming before returning to camp for dinner.
Day three
Highlights
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The drive from Tiger Ridge to Corinna, learning about the region’s human and natural history along the way.
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Exploring the historic town of Corinna and surrounds, including a range of walks or a paddle on the Pieman River
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Comfortable beds and warm showers in the wilderness retreat accommodation at Corinna
We pack up camp and head back to our vehicle. After a scenic drive via Waratah and lunch, we arrive at the historic town of Corinna on the banks of the Pieman River, the Tarkine’s southern boundary. Tonight we stay in Corinna’s wilderness retreats, set amongst the rainforest and beneath the stars. After settling into our accommodation and reacquainting ourselves with creature comforts, we spend the afternoon exploring the town and its surrounds, immersing ourselves in its rich beauty, history and culture. Opportunities include one of several short walks leaving from the township – the rewarding Savage River walk or the gentle Whyte River walk, or a paddle in a large stable canoe on the Pieman River. Depending on weather and the group we can also climb Mount Donaldson or walk to Philosophers Falls.
Day four
Highlights
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Breakfast on the Pieman River, a cruise to the remote Tarkine coast
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Day walk up the Tarkine coast, the experience of powerful southern ocean
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The story of the Tarkineer people, told during the coast walk.
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Second night at Corinna and dinner at Tannin restaurant.
We wake, grab our day pack and board the Arcadia 2, the only purpose built river cruiser constructed solely of Huon Pine left in operation in Tasmania. On board, we prepare you a delicious breakfast while you soak up the peace and tranquility of the river during this 1 ½ hour cruise. Early morning, the famous Pieman River reflections are just amazing. On arrival at the coast, we head north for a day walk, exploring the Tarkine’s many sheltered coves and beaches. The coast walk is a step back in time, a landscape riddled with evidence of Aboriginal occupation. It’s here that we share the story of the Tarkineer, the original inhabitants of the Tarkine. Mid afternoon, we walk back to the Pieman and once again board the Arcadia 2 for a return cruise to Corinna. Our second night at Corinna includes dinner in the newly constructed Tannin restaurant.
Day five
Highlights
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The drive north along the Western Explorer
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Sensational views of the Tarkines mountains and forests
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Lunch beside the Donaldson River
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Sumac Lookout and Lake Chisholm
Today we drive North through the heart of the Tarkine along the Western Explorer. Whilst driving the road, we are treated to views of the Norfolk Range to the West, and the Savage River rain forest, the largest tract of cool temperate rain forest in the Southern Hemisphere to the East. Lunch is served on the banks of the Donaldson River before driving further north to the Northern section of the Tarkine’s rain forests, stopping at a number of forest reserves including Lake Chisholm, a sink hole lake surrounded by lush forests, and Julius River. Our final stop affords us a fantastic view of the Arthur River, a perfect place to stop and farewell the Tarkine. After lunch, we drive back to Burnie and on to your drop off location.
View information about our Tarkine Rainforest Track walking tour here
View information about our Wild Tarkine Coast walking tour here
View information about our Overland Track walking tour here
View information about our Specialist walking tours here
View information about our Devil Project here
Read testimonials from Tarkine Trails customers here
The comforts of home within the splendour of the wild…
The Tarkine Explorer has been purposely designed to access the most spectacular locations of the Tarkine whilst maintaining the creature comforts of home.
Tarkine Rainforest Retreat
• Light weight packs,
• Both ancient and remote, our Tarkine Rainforest Retreat is only a 30 minute walk from our vehicle.
• Two nights in our exclusive architect designed Tarkine Longhouse complete with 12 seater solid timber dining table, custom built fire place and a cantilevered
verandah floating into the forest canopy above the surrounding giant tree ferns.
Facilities
• Composting toilet
• Japanese style wash shelter. Private but with a view into the rainforest
Accommodation
• 2 nights accommodation in large twin share safari style tents with comfortable canvas camp style beds,
• 2 nights accommodation at Corinna in gorgeous wilderness retreats, warm showers,
comfortable beds, restaurant meal.
• 1 night accommodation in safari style tents at “Kings Run” in Arthur River
Exclusive access deep into the Tarkine
We’ll take you places you can’t go with any other operator in the area. The Tarkine Explorer has exclusive access to;
• 2 nights in our Tarkine Rainforest Retreat, including our new Tarkine Longhouse, nestled under a canopy of giant rain forest. Our accommodation is as far into the Tarkine temperate rainforest as you can currently go.
• Our custom built day walk to the Huskisson River exploring pristine rain forest
• 1 night in our exclusive coastal accommodation at Arthur River on a privately owned wildlife reserve
Your opportunity to be part of of the Tarkine Devil Project.
By coming on this tour you will be supporting the project in the following ways:
• You will be ensuring our business will be able to continue contributing our time and money to the Tarkine Devil Project. This will ensure that the project continues well beyond the term of the initial funding.
• On your Tarkine Explorer tour you will be directly involved in the project as you assist in the collection of data recorded on the motion sensor cameras. You will also be the first to see photos of any Tasmanian Devil activity that has occurred since the last time the cameras were checked.
For more information see the Tarkine Devil Project Page.
Hear from those people who’ve experienced it.
These quotes have been takes from clients feedback forms and are generally the answer to the question “what did you like best about this trip?”
• Hard to pick one thing, the rainforest experience at Tarkine Rainforest Retreat, Geoff King and his love of the land and his shift to being part of it as opposed to an exploiter
• The tall timber at Tarkine Rainforest Retreat and especially the twilight walk and Devil viewing at Kings Run
• Tarkine Rainforest Retreat, ability to experience a wide variety of environments, great group interaction assisted by the guides
What you get for your money
The Tarkine Explorer has been carefully designed to create the ultimate tasmanian wildernes experience including visiting the most stunning locations in the Tarkine, outstanding meals featuring Tasmanian produce and luxury wilderness retreat style accommodation .
Included
• All accommodation on tour.
• All meals including snacks from lunch on day one to lunch on day six.
• All group camping equipment including all first aid and safety gear (hire gear available for some personal items).
• ferry trip
• devil viewing
• Experienced and professional guides with a passion for Tasmania’s wild places.
• Transport from and back to your accommodation
• Entry fees to National Parks/reserves/tours/ferries.
Not Included
• Accommodation/flights prior to the start or at the end of the tour
• Kayak hire at Corinna
• Breakfast on morning 1 and dinner on day 6
Our passion for an integrated approach to sustainability.
The environmental policy of all our eco tours fall out of our love and respect for the natural world and that we look beyond what is simply “good for us” when making decisions that impact the environment. That we give voice to environmental injustice when we see it and work creatively toward win-win solutions that protect the environment for the benefit of people today and future generations. Specific outcomes of this environmental policy for our eco tours include:
• A policy of “Maximum Respect Bush walking ” which embraces and develops upon the philosophy of minimal impact walking. This idea encourages us to recognise that we are a part of the natural environment and as such damage to “it” is damage ultimately to us.
• Offering organic food (where possible) with minimal and reusable packaging.
• Each year we offset the emissions (fuel, travel and electricity) our business creates by paying climate friendly to invest in the renewable energy industry. Rather than try to offset the carbon emissions from food we have a policy of buying as much of our food & wine from local suppliers and growers as well as buying organic where possible.
• Use 100%, post consumer waste recycled paper for all our office paper needs.
A selection of Tasmanian gourmet produce
We love Tasmanian food and we love serving it to you on our trips
• Each dinner is accompanied by a selection of Tasmanian wine and boutique beverages
• A selection of condiments are served with all breakfasts and lunches
• We source as much of our food from local suppliers as possible (including Tasmanian wine, cheeses, liqueurs, dips and relish)and buy organic wherever possible
• The menu has been designed with the assistance of a skilled local Tasmanian chef
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