The Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area, reserved in 1982, stretches along the spectacularly wild north-west coast of Tasmania, covering over 100 000 hectares. Its northern boundary begins just to the north of the Arthur River, while its southern boundary follows the Pieman River. From its West Coast border, the reserve extends east to the Frankland and Donaldson Rivers. The Arthur-Pieman is the coastal portion of a much larger region extending inland, known as The Tarkine.
This is a powerful place - of great significance: a big, open land, shaped and nurtured by the hands of thousands of generations of Aboriginal families, with a coastline sculpted by the enormous swells of the Southern Ocean. Its profusion of Aboriginal sites has lead to it being hailed one of the world's great archaeological regions: shell middens, hut depression sites, artefacts and rock engravings may all be seen. The permanent occupation of the area by Aboriginal people ended around 180 years ago. Since then, this country has captivated many others - miners, cattlemen, fishers, campers, bushwalkers, photographers, surfers, four-wheel drivers, shack-owners and today's Tasmanian Aborigines who continue to maintain the traditions of their old people.
As a visitor, there is much to discover on these broad, windswept ocean beaches, the beautiful heath-covered plains, and mystical inland forests.
It's more than just country - it's people as well.
"We started spending summer holidays at the shack in the '60s. We'd swim, walk, ride and fool about all summer till it was time to go back to school. We're a bit quieter these days ... just like to sit and soak it in ... sunsets, fresh air, clean water. Doesn't get better than this." (shack owner)