A complete guide to visiting the incredible Trowutta Arch in Tasmania’s Tarkine Rainforest. How to get here, what to expect and inspiring photography from the green algae-covered cenote and the mystical arch.
Trust me when I say that if you’re visiting Tasmania’s Wild West Coast, you’ll want to add the Trowutta Arch walk to your list of things to do. This incredible short walk offers one of the scenic temperate rainforest experiences you’ll find in the region.
The Trowutta Arch is also one of the most accessible around and one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks. At the end, you'll find a set of beautiful green cenotes (sinkholes) framed perfectly by a tall arch, the remnants of an ancient cave.
In this blog post, I'll fill you in on everything you need to know about getting to the Trowutta Arch track in the Tarkine region of Tasmania. I visited this beautiful spot on a rainy day but I was honestly still stoked with the images that I managed to capture!
Where is the Trowutta Arch?
The Trowutta Arch is located in the Trowutta Caves State Reserve near the town with the same name, and within the Tarkine Rainforest. Visitors will find the trailhead for the short walk to the arch just off Tayatea Road, which is a segment of the famous "Tarkine Drive".
- Google Maps Pin: "Trowutta Arch"
How to Get to the Trowutta Arch
Trowutta Arch is best accessed on a road trip and as part of the "Tarkine Drive". There are no public transport options to this remote part of the Tarkine.
If you do have the luxury of your own transport in Tasmania, then you'll want to make your way to the townsip of Trowutta and then follow the signs onto Tayatea Road. From here, continue for a short distance and keep an eye out for an unsealed road on your right called "Reynalds Road". Follow this road and the signs to Trowutta Arch before arriving at the dedicated walking car park.
While Reynalds Road is unsealed, it's fairly well-graded and we managed easily in our big campervan.
Car Rentals in Tasmania
Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years.
Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using RentalCars.com in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.
(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).
If you don't have a car, then don't fret. There are still loads of epic adventures to be had on Tasmania's West Coast. Below I've included three of my hand-picked must-do's in the region, as well as the best-rated Tassie Tour from Hobart.
The Trowutta Arch Walk
- Hiking Distance: 1.1 kilometres return
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Elevation: N/A
- Difficulty: Very easy
The Trowutta Arch walk begins by entering the dense temperate rainforest beside an obvious sign. This walk is very easy and follows a wide, clear trail with little to no elevation gain. Along the way, you'll get to experience the incredible beauty of The Tarkine, a true global treasure. Giant fern trees and fungi-covered logs dominate the understory, with towering eucalypts on all sides.
After just 500 metres, you'll arrive at the Trowutta Arch.
The Ultimate Tasmania Travel Resource
Looking for more Tasmania travel guides & adventure inspiration? Below are my most comprehensive blog posts that will serve as a great free resource for your trip.
Related: Guide Falls
About the Trowutta Arch in the Tarkine
Like me, you might be wondering how this interesting geological phenomenon was formed.
The arch is the remnants of a collapsed cave, one of many in the region. In fact, you'll find several caves in thist State Reserve, even a few small ones right next to the arch.
The green pool beside the arch is known as a cenote, or sinkhole, which has been filled up with water. The green colour comes from the algae living on the stagnant surface. There are many sinkholes like this one in Tasmania, including Duckhole Lake and many in the Karst sytems near Hastings Caves in Tassie's far south.
The sinkhole immediately past the arch is very accessible and in my opinion the most picturesque. However, you can walk around the right on an unofficial path to get some unique perspectives and check out the other one too.
#1 Water Bottle Filter
Enter the Grayl GeoPress Water Filter & Purifier Bottle! I take this bottle on every hike and use it as my go-to source for filtering water all over the world. I've even used it to drink tap water in India!
// Compare how the GeoPress stacks up against the best water bottle filters on the market.
More Adventures and Travel INspiration for Tasmania
That wraps up this quick guide to visiting the Trowutta Arch in Tasmania's Tarkine. Before you go, make sure to check out some of my other travel guides and adventure articles. I've spent several months exploring Tasmania and I guarantee you'll find something you hadn't thought of doing before.
If you're heading south down the West Coast, I recommend reading my list of epic things to do around Strahan.
Finnoy Travel
Monday 21st of March 2022
Nice post! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful informative information on the blog.