The Pieman River runs west through the rainforest of the Tarkine (takayna) on the west coast of Tasmania and meets the Southern Ocean at Pieman Heads. Its lower reaches, below the old mining settlement of Corinna, are deep, dark with tannin, and often still enough to mirror the forest.
It is one of the most remote paddling rivers in the state that you can still reach by road. That remoteness shapes every decision you make here.
Deep, dark and slow
Below Corinna the Pieman is wide and deep, winding between steep forested banks. On a still morning it is flat water in the truest sense, with mist lying on the surface and the forest reflected almost perfectly.
The tannin stain means you cannot see into the water at all. Submerged logs are common along the edges, so give the banks some room.
Corinna
Corinna sits on the river where the road crosses by vehicle barge. It is the natural starting point for paddling the lower Pieman, with somewhere to leave a vehicle and launch.
A tourist cruise vessel also runs on the lower river. Keep to the edge when it passes and expect wash from it and from other powered craft.
Keep off the mouth
Pieman Heads open straight onto the Southern Ocean, one of the most exposed coastlines in Australia. The river mouth and bar see large swell, strong currents and breaking waves.
Plan every trip to stay well upstream of the heads. Do not drift down towards the mouth, and never attempt to paddle out through it.
Tides, wind and the dams
Water levels on the lower river can be affected by the tide and by conditions at the mouth. Upstream, the Pieman is dammed as part of a Hydro Tasmania scheme, and releases affect flow in the river below.
Westerly weather from the Southern Ocean arrives fast on this coast. Rain is frequent, and wind can funnel up the valley from the sea. A calm start gives no promise about the afternoon.
Remote country
Access is by long gravel roads through the Tarkine. Services are limited, mobile coverage is patchy or absent, and help is a long way off.
Carry a personal locator beacon or satellite messenger, enough food and warm clothing for an unplanned night, and a full tank of fuel. Leave detailed trip intentions with someone reliable, and wear a buoyancy vest on the water.
Access and permission
The Pieman passes through reserved land including parts of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. Check current conditions, road access and any camping rules with Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania before you go.
Leave no trace. This is fragile rainforest country and every campsite and track shows use.
Where a Seeka fits
A still-water paddle on the lower Pieman from Corinna, turning well before the heads, is the kind of trip a Seeka is made for. The river mouth and the open coast beyond it are not.