The Whyte River Walk is a gentle 3.3 km, grade 2 loop in Pieman River State Reserve, Tasmania, and usually takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. It is an easy option for walkers looking to experience the Tarkine without committing to a long or demanding day on the track.
The walk follows the quiet banks of the Pieman River before reaching the mouth of the Whyte River, where dark, still water often mirrors the surrounding rainforest. These calm sections of river are especially appealing for photography, with changing light and reflections giving the landscape a different character throughout the day. The loop offers a relaxed way to take in the scale and richness of the Tarkine forest, with towering trees and dense understorey close to the water’s edge.
Wildlife is a highlight here, particularly when the tide is low and ribbon grass is exposed along the riverbanks. Wallabies and pademelons are commonly seen grazing, and a wide range of birdlife moves through the forest and along the river corridor. With patience and a bit of luck, platypus can sometimes be spotted in the quieter stretches of water, most often early in the morning or towards evening.
Starting and finishing in Corinna, the Whyte River Walk is well suited to visitors staying in the area or anyone wanting a shorter, rewarding walk that still feels immersed in remote wilderness. It pairs well with time spent exploring the riverside settlement or simply slowing down and enjoying the unique atmosphere of Tasmania’s wild north west.
Grade 2 (Easy) -Â
A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the
AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.
- Picnic areas are available nearby, along with the historic Tarkine Hotel and an on site restaurant for meals or refreshments.
- Children should be closely supervised at all times, particularly around the river and other areas of flowing water.
- Pets, firearms and bicycles are not permitted within the reserve.
Total distance: 3205 m
Max elevation: 30 m
Min elevation: 8 m
Total climbing: 58 m
Total descent: -58 m
Login to Download GPXGPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Pieman River State Reserve.
Access to the Whyte River Walk is via the Corinna Road. From the Murchison Highway A10, turn onto the Waratah Road B23 and follow it through to Savage River. From here, the road becomes Corinna Road C247 and continues all the way to Corinna. The walk begins at the riverside car park in Corinna, located beside the river, where signage marks the start of the track.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
The Pieman River region is a wild, mist-shrouded frontier on Tasmania’s West Coast, where the temperate rainforest meets the Southern Ocean. Known to the local Aboriginal people as Corinna, this area serves as a gateway to the Tarkine (takayna)—one of the largest cool-temperate rainforests in the world. The region is defined by its deep, tea-colored waters, stained by button-grass tannins, and the ancient forests of Huon Pine, Myrtle, and Sassafras that crowd the riverbanks, some of which have stood for thousands of years.
Hiking in this region offers a rare glimpse into a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for millennia. The air here is among the cleanest in the world, carried by the "Roaring Forties" across thousands of kilometers of open ocean. Whether you are trekking the rugged coastal headlands of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area or navigating the lush, fern-laden inland tracks, the terrain is characterized by its dramatic beauty and its "edge of the world" atmosphere.
Historically, the region was a bustling hub during the 19th-century gold rush, and remnants of this mining and timber-felling past still haunt the landscape. Today, the focus has shifted from extraction to preservation. The Pieman River acts as a natural corridor for diverse wildlife, including the elusive platypus, white-bellied sea eagles, and the iconic Tasmanian devil. To hike here is to step into a prehistoric world, where the silence of the forest is broken only by the rush of the river and the calls of endemic birds.
Looking for more walks in or near Pieman River State Reserve? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Favourite
Favourite
Hogarth Falls Peoples Park
Favourite
Hogarth Falls Peoples Park
Favourite
Got any photos from this hike? Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.
Click to add your photos >>
Notice something different about this trail? Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.
Click to suggest edits >>
