Tarkine Coast Walk?

[rcaffin]

Looking at a map (or Google Earth) there seems to be an awful lot of beach between Arthur River and Corinna. Has anyone walked this coastline? Or would you be run down by 4WDs and quad bikes?

There appear to be some settlements along the coast. Would any of these have a post office, or some way of handling a posted food drop?

If you could also email me at roger@backpackinglight.com it would be much appreciated.

Thanks all.

[photohiker]

Tarkine Trails does a Guided walk up the coast. There is an itinerary on the site that might help.

I've walked a relatively short way north from the mouth of the Pieman. Lovely place. Whilst I didn't actually see a 4WD or buggy, there is plenty of evidence that they frequent the area and have little or no respect for the natural features or history of the place.

HTH

[flyfisher]

From Arthur river to Sandy cape is a regular trip for 4wd vehicles with a small share of hoons amongst them but there would be plenty of scope for walkers as well.
The nearest services would be at Arthur river, where there is also a Parks office.

[Taurë-rana]

I'm glad you said a small share of hoons, flyfisher. Most 4 wheel drivers respect the bush and do their best to "Tread Lightly". Sandy Cape is popular, mainly on holidays and long weekends, but is often not accessible past the Thornton River due to high tides, storms or lots of rain. South of Sandy Cape to the PIeman is far less travelled and even more often inaccessible due to river/beach conditions. Having said that, I just remembered some of the Queensland beaches wall to wall with 4WD's, and it's nothing like that! You don't see all that many people down there in general.

There is a 4WD track all the way, but it's generally just a single track wide and there isn't much other damage, at least there wasn't when I last went. The scenery is wild and beautiful, and it would be a lovely walk. You do not need a guide to find your way, a fact that a disgruntled customer of a commercial trekking company that we met was not made aware of before he signed up. However, a guide would know the best ways across the rivers no doubt, and the nicest places to camp etc.

Getting a lift to Temma, or preferably the Thornton River would probably be good, what do you reckon flyfisher?

I'm not sure how you would get across the Pieman River, whether you started or finished there. You could probably go on the cruise boat between Corinna and the Pieman Heads, but they stop on the southern side of the Pieman. Here are some photos:

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[Taurë-rana]

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[Taurë-rana]

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[Taurë-rana]

There is a lot of beach, and lots of rocky coastline, and quite a few rivers to cross which could be interesting by foot. They have swallowed quite a few vehicles over the years.

[GerryDuke]

A great coasline Rachel,

All the coastline from Marrawah south to Arthur River, Pieman Heads and further south past Conical Rocks to Granville Harbour and to the northern end of Ocean Beach at Trial Harbour are full of interest. I drove up to the Cold Water Classic recently and walked south for an hour or so south to Doctors Creek. Quite different again. I have not had time to process the photos yet but will put some up when I can. (It's Fagus time and it's starting to turn) Sarah Anne Rocks just north of Couta Rocks is a favourite. I also recently visited the Pieman Heads. The river cruise is superb. There is a 4WD track from Granville Harbour to the heads. There is a tour operator that takes quad bike tours along the coast from Granville Harbour to the Pieman Heads finishing with the cruise back up to Corinna. There is now a Tavern and cabin accommodation at Corinna!

More information here.
http://www.touringtasmania.info/tarkine.htm

I was interesting seeing a local news item a couple of weeks ago regarding a move to review the use of 4WD's in the area.

Gerry

[flyfisher]

I was interesting seeing a local news item a couple of weeks ago regarding a move to review the use of 4WD's in the area

This is what I was referring to, mostly quad bikes according to snippets I have read.

Most 4w drivers aren't to bad ( I drive one so I have to say that ) but there has been enough of a problem for Parks to want some areas closed up for vehicles.

A lift to Temma would be a decided advantage and a 2wd will get you to there.

FF

[Taurë-rana]

A great coasline Rachel,

All the coastline from Marrawah south to Arthur River, Pieman Heads and further south past Conical Rocks to Granville Harbour and to the northern end of Ocean Beach at Trial Harbour are full of interest. I drove up to the Cold Water Classic recently and walked south for an hour or so south to Doctors Creek. Quite different again. I have not had time to process the photos yet but will put some up when I can. (It's Fagus time and it's starting to turn) Sarah Anne Rocks just north of Couta Rocks is a favourite. I also recently visited the Pieman Heads. The river cruise is superb. There is a 4WD track from Granville Harbour to the heads. There is a tour operator that takes quad bike tours along the coast from Granville Harbour to the Pieman Heads finishing with the cruise back up to Corinna. There is now a Tavern and cabin accommodation at Corinna!

More information here.
http://www.touringtasmania.info/tarkine.htm

I was interesting seeing a local news item a couple of weeks ago regarding a move to review the use of 4WD's in the area.

Gerry

Yes, it's an amazing coastline, and the Climies Track between Granville Harbour and Trial is another track (4WD) with lots of interesting places along it: tunnels through hills, waterfalls, a natural sea swimming pool etc.

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Parks' standard procedure is to not manage an area until things get out of hand, then try and close it down in spite of being offered manpower for maintenance, and solutions for the problems. They tried to close it off a few years ago and had big protests. and there has been a consultation group to map and classify the tracks in the area, but these things get nowhere. 4 wheel drive clubs have donated massive amounts of time and money to maintain tracks in the area.

[photohiker]

I'm glad you said a small share of hoons, flyfisher. Most 4 wheel drivers respect the bush and do their best to "Tread Lightly". Sandy Cape is popular, mainly on holidays and long weekends, but is often not accessible past the Thornton River due to high tides, storms or lots of rain. South of Sandy Cape to the PIeman is far less travelled and even more often inaccessible due to river/beach conditions.

I don't doubt that most 4WD drivers respect the bush etc, but in the areas I walked (about 10k or so north of interview river) I saw repeated evidence of complete disregard. Drink cans and rubbish littered all over and around the track, ever widening track around bogholes, forays into the scrub to avoid patches of water, and near the beach there were quad bike tracks directly through middens.

As far as transport to the Pieman heads is concerned, the operators at Corinna will drop you to the north side of the river, but they will charge for the trip as you might expect.

[Taurë-rana]

I saw repeated evidence of complete disregard. Drink cans and rubbish littered all over and around the track, ever widening track around bogholes, forays into the scrub to avoid patches of water, and near the beach there were quad bike tracks directly through middens.

It might have got worse since I was last in, unfortunately, but in general the amount of damage to the environment that idiot 4 wheel drivers and quad bikes do, while distressing to see (and I get wild over it too), is so minimal compared to mining, farming, forestry, new housing estates, tracks put in to put mobile phone towers in etc, etc that I find it incredibly hypocritical how much fuss is made over it by government bodies. The other problem is that as more areas are closed off, more people end up using the fewer and fewer areas left, causing more problems in those areas. At least when walking tracks are closed off for rehabilitation, new ones are usually put in.

The basic problem is that Parks doesn't have the funding it needs to even think about managing all the areas under its management properly, and the damage and litter are evidence of no rangers to be seen. I also think that our society in general is becoming less concerned about the effect of their actions on the next person who comes along.

[GerryDuke]

Lighthouse Beach

http://www.touringtasmania.info/lighthouse_beach.htm

(How did the NE trip go Rachel?)

Gerry

[photohiker]

Looks like I am not the only person to be appalled at the vehicle damage on the Tarkine coast:

Wild Magazine News

While the walking is superb (and highly recommended), I was shocked by the amount of damage done by four-wheel drives

[flyfisher]

It is a shame that a small percentage of 4w drivers and a small percentage of walkers have a lack of care about rubbish, toilet habits , middens etc.

At easter I was near Bridport, at St Albans bay and there were many 4wd's bikes and quads and mostly the place was spotless except for one campsite which was a pigsty.

With regard to the Tarkine coast I would like to see it left open to 4wd's as there are not a lot of places where you can do a good long 4wd trip but more than that I think it

would be a fantastic adventure trip to continue to the Pieman and cross by barge and continue through to Granville harbour and on to Trial harbour via Climies track.

Education should be helpfull but some folk just dont care and don't want to be told so there will probably always be some problems. Fortunately there are also people who

will do more than their share and clean up other peoples mess.

I love walking and also enjoy 4wdriving and own one and use it in the bush often but with due regard for the environment.

FF

[Nick S]

Yeah I just received that WILD email today, pretty much just what you guys are talking about.

I remember reading the log book at Birches Inlet on the west coast. There was some back and forth arguments going on between the ATV/bike riders and the bushwalkers who travel down the Low Rocky Point track. Again I think it's a small minority causing the damage, it only takes a few people.
I think people should still be able to drive these tracks, maybe there can be more accountability associated with littering? Or can we just rely on the good doers who clean up.

Having walked some 20km of the track all I found was a milk crate and a few old plastic bottles. Come to think of it, I did find an old relic of a battery on top of Mt Innes. Can anyone explain this? back in the surveying days maybe?

[photohiker]

I agree that it is probably only a few who ruin it for many.

The point is that the damage is out of control at the moment, both for the Aboriginal sites and the natural environment. Regulation is not working. Should the area be left open whilst this sort of behaviour goes on and irreparable damage is done? I haven't been as far north as Sandy Cape, maybe it's better up there and further north?

I don't have an answer. I also have a 4wd, and understand both sides of the argument but I feel we are losing something valuable by allowing the status quo to persist.

[Steve]

Some great shots there Taurë-rana!

[rcaffin]

Hi everyone

Thanks for the comments and the photos, and my thanks also to those who contacted me by email. It looks interesting.
However, would I be right in suspecting that the late Autumn and winter months might not be the best times to walk the coast? It's a long empty reach from the West coast to the Antarctic!

Cheers

[Taurë-rana]

Well, it would probably be spectacular, but you might have a bit of trouble with the rivers. It's nice to be in a cosy shack down there with a fire at that time of year.

[gorby]

I have just returned from a quad bike trip to Sandy cape and there was more rubbish washed up from the sea than left around our campsites by previous campers.

It is the mindless actions of a few that ruin it for most.

It is a beautiful area that really can only be accessed by 4wd or quad bike by 99% of the population.

Our group consisted of over 20 with the average age being 55.

It would be an area that would not be visited by any of this group if the only option was the 30 km walk in to the campsite and then another 30kms viewing the local sights plus the 30km return.

I love bushwalking but the answer is not to lock up areas just so the young and fit are the only ones to enjoy it.

Regulated vehicular access maybe the answer but it won't stop the idiots who do the damage,they do not get the permits or follow the rules.

[flyfisher]

Well said Gorby, pretty much sums up my thoughts on that area. According to todays Mercury, probably around 7000-8000 people accessed that area last year.
I love walking too but I don't think I would visit that area on foot as there are many other areas closer to home that are also spectacular in a different way.
However I do visit the area by 4wd and don't want to see too much closed up because of a few uncaring rednecks, that spoil things for everybody.

ff

[Taurë-rana]

The point is that the damage is out of control at the moment, both for the Aboriginal sites and the natural environment. Regulation is not working.

Part of the problem is lack of regulation - having to have a permit doesn't do much to protect the area, it needs regular, frequent patrolling by the rangers who need to have the power to throw the book at those doing the wrong thing. I know there is at least one group of mainlanders who come over every year, trash the place then go home with no consequences. This is extremely frustrating for the 4WD Tasmania, and club members who are constantly fighting for access.

Considering the number of vehicles down there, the damage is relatively minor, and as I think I've said before, compared to what forestry practices do to the natural environment, off road vehicle damage is a drop in the bucket.

flyfisher, 4WD Tasmania has proposed an iconic 4WD trip right along that Coast.

[flyfisher]

flyfisher, 4WD Tasmania has proposed an iconic 4WD trip right along that Coast.

I'd love to see that, a through trip to the Pieman oan across on a barge then on to Granville and then to Trial harbour.

What a tourist attraction that would be.

FF

[photohiker]

In the news today: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... ion=justin

"Garrett urged to step in over 4WD stoush"

But the Tasmanian Conservation Trust is asking Mr Garrett to take over the assessment process.

The director of the trust, Peter McGlone, says the tracks threaten heritage sites and wildlife."On many, many tracks that the Parks and Wildlife Service are recommending stay open, there are significant values such as the threatened birds, such as Aboriginal heritage sites that are being daily impacted by vehicles," he said.

"There are a lot of middens and also a small number of petroglyph sites.

"Actually one thing that will probably surprise people is that these sorts of sites are being driven over, like the tracks actually criss-cross a lot of Aboriginal sites."

But Four-Wheel Drive Tasmania president Greg Daley says new management plan for the area closes off too many tracks.

"You would be naive to say that there is the possibility that you weren't driving over middens, but what we have been asking Parks and Wildlife to do for the best part of the last 20 years is to actually go out and identify those middens with us - where they think that they may be and where they will be driven over - and actually fence them off," he said.

Anyone who has been to that area knows very well that visible middens are being repeatedly driven over. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Fencing them all would be a massive undertaking.