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Sarah Anne and Couta Rocks

Difficulty: Trek rating 3.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD 
Set amongst colourful coastal scenery, buttongrass moorlands and small communities of fishing shacks semi-sheltered from the untamed seas - lies the magnificent Sarah Anne Rocks. This trek, which is roughly 13kms south from Arthur River takes in Sarah Anne and Couta Rocks.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesTemma Rd & Sarah Anne Rocks Access
FinishTemma Rd & Rebecca Rd
Distance10.21 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed27.71 km/hrDriving Time22 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 19 Oct 2009
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 Description

Sarah Anne Rocks and Couta Rocks a little further south provides 4WDrivers the chance of taking a side trip towards the coast when travelling north or south on the Temma Road. If you are travelling in a 4WD heading from Arthur River to Corinna, you may want to consider side trips such as this one and discover the life and hardships faced by some of Tasmania’s northwest coast fisheries.

Sarah Anne Rocks is set within the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area and is much loved by both residents of the Edge of the World and tourists alike. It’s coastal location and openness to the elements is all part of its charm. There are about half a dozen shacks here as well as a beautiful beach. There is a very scenic 2 kilometre coastal walk from Sarah Anne Rocks to Couta Rocks, and from Couta Rocks, a road continues a short distance along the coast toward Temma.

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Sarah Anne and Couta Rocks Help

From: Temma Rd & Sarah Anne Rocks Access
To: Temma Rd & Rebecca Rd

Distance: 10.21 km
Direction: 170 °
Average Speed: 27.71 km/hr
Travel Time: 22 mins

Using the Map

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 Permits

Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area (APCA) is a Conservation Area - national park entry fees do not apply. That said, however, if you are considering driving off designated roads/tracks or onto some beaches, then a permit is required. To obtain a permit or information on road/track conditions, please contact the ranger station at Arthur River or phone Parks and Wildlife Service, Arthur River on: (03) 6457 1225.

Fees need to be paid for camping - for more information, please click: Camping in Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area

For further information on permits, off-road tracks and camping - please contact the:

Arthur River Field Office

c/o PWS Smithton Office
PO Box 715
Smithton 7330 TAS
Phone: (03) 6457 1225
Fax: (03) 6457 1277

 Things to See & Do

Sarah Anne Rocks - TAS   
Point of Interest 
Sarah Anne Rocks - track on top
Couta Rocks - TAS   
Populated Place Point of Interest
Couta Rocks is a tiny fishing village
Southern End of Beach Track - TAS   
Point of Interest 
When heading south - the southern end of the small beach track continues left.
Couta Rocks (Nice Campsites) - TAS   
Camp Fee Point of Interest
Nice grassy campsites at beachfront near Couta Rocks.

 Preparation

Please obtain travel permits if considering driving off the designated roads/tracks or onto beaches. Also, if you are considering camping within the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area, then camping permits will need to be sought.

It's a good idea to take warm clothing and wet weather gear since the weather on the coast can become very windy, cold and wet without too much notice. Check the weather and road conditions before venturing south and out towards the coast from Arthur River.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel Symbol Diesel4cyl 1 litres ULP4cyl 2 litres LPG4cyl 2 litres
6cyl 2 litres6cyl 2 litres6cyl 2 litres
8cyl 2 litres8cyl 2 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Nearest and last fuel location is at Marrawah which is around 16kms north from Arthur River and approximately 30km north of Sarah Anne Rocks.

Best Time To Visit

The warmer summer months is the best time to travel since the weather can get rather wet and cold during the winter months.

Closest Climatic Station

Marrawah
Distance from Trek Mid Point 27.83km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 20.020.819.316.8 14.712.812.312.7 13.614.916.518.3
Mean Min. °C 11.912.311.610.2 9.07.46.76.9 7.48.19.110.5
Mean Rain mm 49.043.562.786.0 104.3124.6138.7128.3 104.491.769.763.6
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Couta Rocks (Nice Campsites) - TAS   
Camp Fee Point of Interest
Nice grassy campsites at beachfront near Couta Rocks.

 Environment

This stretch of coast is often dubbed the 'Roaring 40s', where prevailing gale-force winds blow persistently from the west, often pounding the coast and creating an almost lunar-type landscape of sand dunes and lichen-painted rocks. The area is also famed for its; rolling plains of buttongrass all the way down to the sea, little fishing shacks, and cray boats either bobbing on the harbour or raised out of the water. This area is noted for the place where the sea can get rather rough to say the least. Before the weather turns foul, it is not uncommon to see local fishermen winching their boats out of the water on slips rather than risk them getting pounded on the moorings.

A network of formed spur roads provides access off the main road to Sarah Anne Rocks and Couta Rocks. These roads are generally all-weather gravel and suitable for conventional vehicles. The Parks and Wildlife Service have hardened many of the spur roads in the reserve, and where tracks have been hardened - erosion caused by braiding is minimal.

The coastline in this area is known to be among the most scenic and wild in Tasmania. Vegetation near the coast consists of heath and scrublands, whilst buttongrass dominates the poorly drained moorlands. Numerous wildflowers and orchid species dot the coast and plains during specific times of the year. Regarding bird species along the coast, you may see the red-capped plover, fairy tern, pacific gull, ruddy turnstone, raptors, and pied and sooty oyster catchers.

 History

In 1968 the small fishing villages of Sarah Anne Rocks and Couta Rocks only really grew into existence after a one lane bridge was built across Arthur River in 1968. Prior to that villagers and visitors alike were forced to punt.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Temma Rd & Sarah Anne Rocks Access to Fishing Shacks 1.54 km SW 231° 2 min
Fishing Shacks to Sarah Anne Rocks 0.36 km SW 218° 1 min
Sarah Anne Rocks to Fishing Shacks 0.36 km NE 38° 1 min
Fishing Shacks to Temma Rd & Sarah Anne Rocks Access 1.54 km NE 51° 2 min
Temma Rd & Sarah Anne Rocks Access to Temma Rd & Rebecca Rd 2.41 km S 170° 1 min
Temma Rd & Rebecca Rd to Couta Rocks Rd & Couta Rocks Access 1.02 km W 260° 1 min
Couta Rocks Rd & Couta Rocks Access to Couta Rocks 0.12 km NW 310°
Couta Rocks to Southern End of Beach Track 0.24 km NW 336° 1 min
Southern End of Beach Track to Couta Rocks 0.24 km SE 156° 1 min
Couta Rocks to Couta Rocks Rd & Couta Rocks Access 0.12 km SE 130°
Couta Rocks Rd & Couta Rocks Access to Couta Rocks (Nice Campsites) 0.61 km S 178° 2 min
Couta Rocks (Nice Campsites) to Couta Rocks Rd & Couta Rocks Access 0.61 km N 358° 2 min
Couta Rocks Rd & Couta Rocks Access to Temma Rd & Rebecca Rd 1.02 km E 80° 1 min
Temma Rd & Sarah Anne Rocks Access to Temma Rd & Rebecca Rd 10.21 km     22 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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