Sumac Lookout Walk
- September 10, 2026
A very short walk to a lookout over the Arthur River and Tarkine rainforest canopy.
The Edge of the World Lookout at Arthur River is one of the most dramatic and easily accessible coastal viewpoints in Tasmania. Located at Gardiner Point near the mouth of the Arthur River, this short walk leads to a wild headland overlooking the Southern Ocean and the rugged coastline of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. This is a place where the landscape does most of the talking. Huge swells roll in from the west, enormous pieces of driftwood cover the shoreline and the winds of the Roaring Forties sweep across a coast that feels remarkably remote. The walk to the lookout is very short, but Edge of the World is well worth including when exploring Arthur River and takayna / Tarkine.
Location: Gardiner Point, Arthur River, North West Tasmania
Distance: Approximately 300 metres return
Time: Approximately 10–20 minutes, allowing time at the lookout
Difficulty: Easy
Track Type: Short return walk
Track Surface: Formed path and boardwalk to the coastal lookout
Best Time: Any time of year, although a clear day provides the best coastal views
The Edge of the World walk begins at the Gardiner Point day-use area at Arthur River. From the parking area, follow the short walking track towards the coast. Interpretive information along the way provides an introduction to the natural and cultural significance of this remarkable part of north-west Tasmania. Within only a few minutes you’ll reach the exposed coastal headland overlooking the mouth of the Arthur River and the Southern Ocean. The walking distance is short and there are no significant climbs, making this one of the most accessible wilderness viewpoints in the Tarkine region.
The name Edge of the World perfectly captures the atmosphere of Gardiner Point. Standing on the headland and looking west, there is an enormous uninterrupted expanse of ocean between Tasmania and South America. The powerful prevailing westerly winds cross thousands of kilometres of open ocean before reaching Tasmania’s north-west coast. The result is a coastline constantly shaped by wind and waves. On rough days, huge Southern Ocean swells crash into the rocky shoreline below the lookout. Even during calmer weather, the enormous pieces of driftwood scattered along the beaches provide evidence of the power of the sea. It is one of those places where spending an extra ten or fifteen minutes simply watching the ocean is part of the experience.
Immediately beside Gardiner Point is the mouth of the Arthur River, one of Tasmania’s great wild rivers. The river flows through the forests of takayna / Tarkine before reaching the Southern Ocean here at Arthur River. The contrast is striking. On one side of the headland is the relatively sheltered river, while on the other is the exposed Southern Ocean and one of Tasmania’s wildest coastlines. The river mouth is particularly impressive after heavy rain, when large volumes of tannin-stained water flow into the sea.
One of the best-known features at Gardiner Point is the plaque containing words by local tourism pioneer Brian Inder. The inscription reflects the extraordinary isolation of the location and the feeling of standing at Tasmania’s western edge looking across the vast Southern Ocean. The plaque has become one of the most photographed landmarks around Arthur River.
The walk to Edge of the World is easy and suitable for most visitors. The formed path and boardwalk provide straightforward access towards the lookout, although the final coastal environment is naturally exposed to strong winds, rain and rapidly changing weather. Take particular care around exposed rocks and the coastline. The ocean here can be extremely powerful and unpredictable.
Edge of the World is located at Gardiner Point at Arthur River on Tasmania’s remote north-west coast. From Smithton, follow the road west towards Marrawah before continuing south to Arthur River. Once you reach Arthur River, follow the signs towards Gardiner Point and Edge of the World. Parking is available at the day-use area near the start of the walk. The lookout is also an excellent stop when travelling the Tarkine Drive, which links Arthur River with many of the rainforest walks, rivers and lookouts further inland.
The Gardiner Point day-use area provides facilities for visitors stopping at Edge of the World.
Additional visitor facilities and camping are available in the Arthur River township and surrounding Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area.
Arthur River is an excellent base for exploring several short walks and longer coastal tracks through the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area and takayna / Tarkine.
The Arthur River Coastal Walk is one of the best walks to combine with Edge of the World. Starting near the northern side of the Arthur River mouth, the track follows the wild coastline north towards Church Rock. The walk is approximately 4 km return and takes around 2.5 hours. Expect exposed coastal scenery, beaches, rocky headlands and excellent views along one of Tasmania’s wildest stretches of coastline.
The Nelson Bay Walk provides another easy introduction to the Arthur-Pieman coastline. From the small shack settlement at Nelson Bay, walkers can continue south towards the beach and explore the surrounding coast. Allow approximately 30 minutes return for the basic walk.
The Rebecca Lagoon Walk is an easy short walk through coastal paperbark and tea-tree to a viewing platform overlooking the lagoon. Allow approximately 20 minutes return. The lagoon is particularly attractive during spring and is also a worthwhile location for birdwatching.
For something considerably more adventurous, the Balfour Packhorse Track follows an historic route through magnificent cool-temperate rainforest. Allow approximately 3 hours return. The track provides a completely different experience from the exposed coastline around Arthur River, replacing ocean views with myrtle, sassafras, ferns and tall eucalypt forest.
The Sumac Lookout Walk is another very short walk along the Tarkine Drive and provides panoramic views over the Arthur River surrounded by forest. It takes only around 5–10 minutes return and makes an easy stop when travelling between Arthur River and the rainforest attractions further inland.
The Julius River Rainforest Walks offer a chance to leave the exposed coast behind and explore the cool-temperate rainforest of takayna / Tarkine. Short circuit tracks of approximately 30–40 minutes wind through beautiful forest beside the Julius River, with picnic facilities available at the reserve.
The Lake Chisholm Walk passes through old myrtle forest to an unusual flooded limestone sinkhole surrounded by rainforest. The combination of still water, moss-covered trees and dense forest makes this one of the atmospheric short walks of the Tarkine Drive.
The Milkshake Hills Lookout Walk climbs from wet forest into open buttongrass country before reaching a hilltop lookout with expansive views across takayna / Tarkine. Allow approximately 1–1.5 hours return for the lookout walk.
The Edge of the World Lookout isn’t a long bushwalk, but few places in Tasmania provide such dramatic scenery for so little effort. Here, the Arthur River meets the Southern Ocean beneath the full force of the Roaring Forties, creating a landscape of huge waves, rocky headlands and beaches covered with enormous pieces of driftwood. More importantly for bushwalkers, Edge of the World provides a gateway to the wider Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. From short lagoon and rainforest walks to several hours exploring the remote coastline, Arthur River is an excellent base for discovering the wild western edge of takayna / Tarkine.
A very short walk to a lookout over the Arthur River and Tarkine rainforest canopy.
