5 Days: Monday 26th to Friday 30th November 2012

3 Nights: Corinna Eco Resort

1 Nights: Arthur River Holiday Units

The words pristine, enchanting, lush and untouched describe so much of Australia’s fabulous natural heritage. Tasmania’s Tarkine Wilderness sits easily within this realm and a more exceptional place where you can observe the workings of nature as they have operated for millennia is hard to find. The Tarkine is simply one of the most inspiring locations found anywhere and to spend time in it’s heart, with Park Trek, for our five day Tarkine Walking Tour is to be transported to a time when Australia was a part of Gondwanaland.

This trip is part of a Park Trek 2UP. It is linked in with our Cradle Mountain trip that runs a few days earlier from Tuesday 1st February to Friday 4th February 2011. If both trips are booked together as a 2UP the combined outlay is $2190.00. This represents a saving of $180.00!

DAY 1

We begin our journey with an 8.30am departure from Launceston and make tracks for the small town of Burnie with a fabulous morning tea served along the way. Then it’s time to get your walking boots dirty as we embark on the first of our days short walks, this time in the delightful Hellyer Gorge. We’ll eat our lunch amidst of some of Tasmania’s oldest forest environments. Then it’s on to the beautiful Philosophers Falls for a terrific two hour walk amidst the towering myrtle and sassafras. Then it’s time to make tracks for our place stay in the heart of the Tarkine at Corinna where your room, wine and dinner await.

About Corinna...

Corinna is our home for 3 nights, right in the heart of the Tarkine. It’s the most charming oasis offering plenty of creature comforts but with a tremendous history. Our accommodation at this new wilderness retreat are the one bedroom cottages with queen beds and four two bedroom cottages. The cottages all back directly onto the Tarkine rainforest. They have their own verandahs, fully equipped kitchens, rainwater tanks and heating. A stay in these cottages also provides access to the old produce store, with its communal barbecue, and the feeling of living in a remote mining town - with home comforts. Each of the new wilderness retreats is named after a pioneer from the area. Those secrets are unlocked for the guests at Corinna.

Our meals will be served in the communal area. Three breakfasts and two dinners are served in these cosy surrounds. One of our evening meals will be enjoyed in the local Tannin Restaurant. This meal is a la carte and is Own Expense.

Approx 9 kilometres walking.

DAY 2

his morning it’s time to get tuned into the area. First let’s begin with a no-pack required wander from our place of stay following an easy path that meanders besides the Pieman and Whyte’s Rivers. Then back for a coffee and then time to board the coach for a short drive to the start of the Mt Donaldson walk. It’s a four to five hour journey that includes lunch atop Mt Donaldson with the most spectacular view right into the heart of the Tarkine. Then back late afternoon when you can choose to either relax or head off of on one of the many short trails that festoon our place of stay in Corinna.

DAY 3

Early rise this morning for one of the most remarkable touring days on the Park Trek calendar. We leave Corinna aboard the MV Arcadia for a 1.5 hour breakfast cruise down the stunning Pieman River and out to the Tarkine Coast. Here, at the rivers mouth, we disembark and make our way north towards Interview River. The days journey is a simple wander up a remote but exquisite piece of coast to add another delightful piece to the Tarkine jigsaw. One of the prize featues is witnessing the size of the many Aboriginal middens that line this coast. The boat returns mid afternoon to take us back to Corinna for a return journey through one of the oldest remaining rainforests in the world. Tonight we dine in the local Tannin Restaurant (OE).

DAY 4

This morning you can please yourself as to whether you get up early to do the Savage River walk or whether you have a more leisurely start and take your time with several of the shorter walks in the immediate area. There is also the delightful option of hiring a canoe (Own Expense) and paddling up to the confluence of the Savage River and then walking back into Corinna. After an early lunch we say farewell to Corinna and head north up the Western Highway and arrive into Arthur River where we catch our breath, settle in and freshen up. We have something very special lined up. We are taking you out to dinner at the Marrawah Pub. This old pub has loads of historic memorabilia hanging on it's walls. Park Trek will cover the cost of your mains. If you want dessert or an entree they are at your own expense. Before the evening gets too late we’ll be back in Arthur River for our nights well earned rest.

DAY 5

Breakfast and then time to wander the north-west corner with a couple of excellent walks awaiting. First we’ll we make our way to the Sumac Lookout followed by the Julius River walk. Our final walk is around Lake Chisholm, an extraordinarily serene place surrounded by thick forest. Then it’s onto Smithton for a cuppa (OE) and an afternoon journey that sees us returning to Launceston around 7.00pm.

Please note that if you are flying out this evening look to booking a flight that departs from Launceston after 8.00pm.

Price: $1590 (ex-Launceston) (incl. GST)