Sumac Lookout Walk – takayna / Tarkine

A Spectacular View Over the Arthur River and Tarkine Rainforest

The Sumac Lookout Walk is one of the shortest but most rewarding stops along the Tarkine Drive, providing a sweeping view across the Arthur River and the vast cool-temperate rainforest of takayna / Tarkine. Only a few minutes from the car park, the lookout sits high above the river valley, with forest stretching across the surrounding hills. It is an excellent place to appreciate the scale of the Tarkine landscape without undertaking a long walk, and makes an easy addition to a day exploring the Tarkine Drive.

See also:

• Milkshake Hills Lookout Walk
• Bushwalks Tarkine
• Trowutta Arch Walk
• Julius River Rainforest Walk
• Lake Chisholm Sinkhole Walk
• Edge of The World Lookout

Walk Overview

Location: Sumac Lookout, Tarkine Drive, North West Tasmania

Distance: Approximately 200–300 metres return

Time: Approximately 5–10 minutes return

Difficulty: Easy

Track Type: Short return walk

Track Surface: Short formed path from the parking area to the lookout

Best Time: A clear day for the best views across the Arthur River valley

The Walk

The walk begins from the Sumac Lookout parking area beside the Tarkine Drive. From the car park, follow the short path towards the lookout. There is very little distance involved and within just a few minutes you’ll reach the viewing area overlooking the Arthur River. The walk itself is straightforward and suitable for most visitors. Rather than being a destination for a long bushwalk, Sumac Lookout is best regarded as a scenic roadside stop where a very short walk delivers an impressive wilderness view.

Sumac Lookout

The main attraction is the elevated view over the Arthur River as it winds through the surrounding forest. From the lookout, the river can be seen cutting through a broad valley covered in dense cool-temperate rainforest and tall eucalypts. Myrtle, sassafras and blackwood are among the characteristic trees found throughout this part of the Tarkine. The combination of the dark river, densely forested slopes and distant hills makes Sumac Lookout one of the best easily accessible viewpoints along the Tarkine Drive. On a clear day, the view also provides a good sense of just how extensive the forest is, with very little evidence of development visible across much of the surrounding landscape.

The Arthur River

The Arthur River is one of the defining natural features of north-west Tasmania and flows through some of the wildest country in the state before eventually reaching the Southern Ocean at the township of Arthur River. From Sumac Lookout, visitors see a very different side of the river from its rugged coastal mouth. Here it winds through a deep green landscape of rainforest and tall forest, forming part of the enormous network of rivers, creeks and wetlands found throughout takayna / Tarkine . The nearby Kanunnah Bridge provides another excellent opportunity to see the Arthur River at close range and is only a short drive from the lookout.

Terrain

The walk to Sumac Lookout is easy and very short, with no significant climb or extended sections of rough bushwalking track. Most visitors will spend considerably more time enjoying the view than actually walking to the lookout. As with other locations in the Tarkine , conditions can be wet and slippery after rain, so suitable footwear is still worthwhile.

Getting There

Sumac Lookout is located on the Tarkine Drive in north-west Tasmania, between Kanunnah Bridge and Julius River. From Smithton, follow the Tarkine Drive towards the Arthur River and forest sections of the route. Sumac Lookout is well signposted and has a dedicated parking area beside the road. The lookout is approximately 8 kilometres from Julius River and only a short drive from Kanunnah Bridge, making it easy to combine all three locations.

Facilities

Facilities at Sumac Lookout are limited, reflecting its role as a short scenic roadside stop.

• Parking area
• Short walking path
• Lookout
• Interpretive information

More extensive facilities, including toilets, picnic tables and barbecue facilities, can be found nearby at Julius River Forest Reserve.

What You’ll See

• Arthur River
• Cool-temperate rainforest
• Tall eucalypt forest
• Blackwood, myrtle and sassafras forest
• Forest-covered hills
• Expansive views across takayna / Tarkine

Walk Tips

• Allow at least 10–15 minutes so you have time to enjoy the view.
• Visit on a clear day for the best views across the Arthur River valley.
• Take care on the path after rain, when surfaces may be wet.
• Bring a camera – this is one of the easiest panoramic viewpoints along the Tarkine Drive.
• Combine the lookout with nearby Kanunnah Bridge and Julius River.
• Allow extra time if travelling the full Tarkine Drive, as there are numerous short walks and lookouts along the route.

Nearby Walks and Attractions

Sumac Lookout works particularly well as part of a day exploring the forest section of the Tarkine Drive.

• Kanunnah Bridge – picnic area and close-up views of the Arthur River
• Julius River – short rainforest walks and picnic facilities
• Lake Chisholm – rainforest walk to a flooded limestone sinkhole
• Dempster Plains – expansive views across buttongrass country
• Milkshake Hills – forest walk and longer climb to the summit lookout
• Trowutta Arch – rainforest walk to an impressive natural limestone arch and sinkholes

Why Walk Sumac Lookout?

Sumac Lookout proves that a bushwalk doesn’t need to be long to be worthwhile. After only a few minutes on foot, you’re rewarded with one of the Tarkine Drive’s classic views – the Arthur River winding through a vast landscape of rainforest and tall forest. Its easy access makes the lookout suitable for almost everyone, and when combined with nearby Julius River, Lake Chisholm and Milkshake Hills, it forms part of an excellent collection of short walks and scenic stops through takayna / Tarkine.