“Many have commented that the Pieman River Cruise is the best river cruise they have taken.”
ABOUT WORLD-FAMOUS MV ARCADIA II
The MV Arcadia II is a magnificent 17m (54ft) craft built of Huon Pine in 1939, and listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels in 2009.
She has a leisurely cruising speed of 9 knots. Originally a luxury pleasure craft based in Hobart, it was requisitioned to serve in the Second World War in New Guinea as a supply ship. After some seasons as a scallop fishing boat on the East coast working from the Coles Bay area, the Arcadia II was commissioned as a cruise boat on Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River in 1961.
In 1970, she moved to the Pieman where she faithfully served her new owners, the Ellis brothers, who introduced the first regular cruises on the Pieman River. In 2006, she travelled to Launceston, where she was refurbished, refitted and returned to her original pristine condition. The journey out of the Heads and back, was the first since 1970. The vessel now operates the famous Pieman River Cruise for Corinna Wilderness Village. MV Arcadia II is the only Huon Pine river cruiser still operating anywhere in the world.
Corinna offers another, shorter Pieman River Cruise on a 6.5m (21ft) Yamaha vessel called the Sweetwater Cruise. With a third option of chartering a trip to the Pieman Heads on the one time Gordon River catamaran, the Lady Jane Franklin II, guests have a variety of ways to access the wide diversity of the Tasmanian west coast.
All cruise experiences at Corinna are an uplifting and authentic experience, rich in history, nature and personal anecdotes.
PIEMAN RIVER CRUISE
The Pieman River Cruise, on board the famous Arcadia II departs Corinna at 10:00am, cruising downstream on the Pieman River towards Pieman Heads. The cruise arrives at Pieman Heads at around 11.30am and departs at around 1.00pm for a return to Corinna at 2.30pm.
A commentary on the history and some of the unique features of the area are given on the way down by our very knowledgeable skippers, and you are looked after by our friendly deck crew. Tea, coffee, cake and biscuits are complimentary for the duration of the journey.
Lunch is supplied when you disembark at Pieman Heads. Lunch consists of a delicious wrap (pre-request any dietary requirements), a homemade muffin or similar treat and a fruit drink. Lunch is packed in an eco friendly bag for you to take on your walk through the Pieman Heads community and along the wild, rugged west coast of Tasmania.
Operates up to 7 days a week in peak season (December to March). Operations over the off peak season (May to August) and shoulder seasons are subject to availability and weather conditions. Please check availability using our booking chart below.
SWEETWATER CRUISE
The shorter Pieman River Cruise, the Sweetwater Cruise, departs on various days at different hours. The Sweetwater takes a maximum of 8 passengers on a one hour smooth water cruise, viewing some of the glorious features of the Pieman River and having these features explained by one of our knowledgeable skippers.
The journey, in a smaller Yamaha craft than the Arcadia II, has the advantage of accessing the Savage River, where the wreck of the S.S. Croydon (a ship sunk in 1919, around the size of the Arcadia II) can be seen at low tide with the right weather conditions, and of mooring at the stair case to Lover’s Falls – one of the signature experiences at Corinna, of which is only accessible by small boat or kayak.
The cruise slowly returns, after taking in a long term wedge tailed eagle’s nest on the Pieman River, Lover’s Falls and the S.S. Croydon on the Savage River. At this point some guests choose to walk back to Corinna along the beautiful Savage River walk, which takes approximately 30-45 minutes on top of the original return time.
Operates most days after the Pieman River Cruise. Please check availability using our booking chart below.
BOOK YOUR CRUISE ON THE PIEMAN RIVER:
