Skip to Content
Trowutta Arch: Unmissable Short Tarkine Walk in Tasmania

Trowutta Arch: Unmissable Short Tarkine Walk in Tasmania

By: Author Olly Gaspar

Posted on Last updated:

Skip to Content
Olly Gaspar

By Olly Gaspar, full-time traveler for 6 years. I visit every place I write about & share real tips, photos, & advice from my trips.

Discover Trowutta Arch in Tasmania’s Tarkine Rainforest, a green algae-covered cenote and the mystical arch that’s worth the stop.

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 most 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.

I visited this beautiful spot on a rainy day but I was honestly still stoked. Here’s how to get there, with directions, tips, and photos.

The trowutta arch and sinkhole

Quick Things to Know About the Trowutta Arch

The arch is the remnants of a collapsed cave, one of many in the region. In fact, you'll find several caves in this 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 systems near Hastings Caves in Tassie's far south.
  • You can get to Trowutta Arch along the Tarkine Drive (it's a quick stop)
  • The walk is easy and takes less than 30 minutes to complete

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: "Gun Road"

Map of trowutta arch in tasmania's west

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 town 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.

Trowutta arch walk
The Trowutta Arch Car Park

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 km 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.

Read: Guide Falls

Trowutta arch track in tasmania
Trowutta arch track in tasmania
Trowutta arch tasmania
Trowutta arch and sinkhole
Tasmanian cenote in the tarkine

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.

Tasmanian cenote in the tarkine
Tasmanian cenote in the 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.

Trowutta arch track in tasmania

Categories Tasmania Australia Hiking

Olly Gaspar About Olly
Thanks for Reading

I'm Olly Gaspar, adventure traveler from Australia. I’ve spent the last six years traveling the world full-time, sharing my first-hand experiences & photography in over 700 travel guides on We Seek Travel. I visit every destination I write about to bring you unique travel itineraries, epic hiking routes, fun tour ideas, travel & photography gear ideas, & interesting places to stay.

I only make genuine, worthwhile recommendations based on my experience, expertise, & research. If you buy through my links, I may get a commission, supporting this website at no extra cost to you. Read my Publishing Ethics Statement.

Finnoy Travel

Monday 21st of March 2022

Nice post! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful informative information on the blog.