Pieman Heads is one of those places in Tasmania that is accessable but at the same time not very accessable!
Situated near to the end of one of the state's most gruelling 4wd tracks.
Located at Pieman Heads on the rugged and remote west coast of Tasmania, the area has a history as a transit point for the Pieman River, a base for exploration parties before the gold rushes, and a place where cattle were swum across the river until at least the 1940s to reach butchers in Zeehan.
Notorious for the large surf of the 'Roaring Forties' the heads have claimed many vessels. In 1867 alone, three ships were wrecked at Pieman Heads. The schooner Spy was wrecked in 1855 and remained buried under sand until 1881. With the nearest landmass due west of Pieman Heads being Argentina at 18,000 km away, and due south being Antarctica at still a decent 5,000 km away, the weather is unpredictable and can change quickly. The ocean is treacherous and passage nowadays is not recommended.
Getting there...
Well, if you haven't already been put off, there are a few options depending how adventurous you feel.
4x4 Tracks
Pieman Heads can be accessed via two tracks: the more common Coastal Track and the difficult Inland Track which are part of the more extensive Arthur-Pieman recreational vehicle track network.
Beginning at Granville Harbour, the Pieman Heads Coastal Track heads north along the rugged coastline of the Southern Ocean to the shacks at Pieman Heads. There is no defined track along Four Mile Beach, and you will need a keen eye to spot the exit at the beach’s northern end before continuing to Pieman Heads. Be sure to check tide times before traversing the beach and only cross at low tide. Beware of strong sea surges and swells in rough weather. The Pieman Heads track offers breathtaking coastal scenery and a look at some of the area’s more interesting backcountry, including as many as 35 sites of Aboriginal significance. This heritage, combined with the natural beauty of the area, makes the Pieman Heads Track one of the best 4WD experiences in the state. The region is largely uninhabited, so you must carry your own supplies, including drinking water. You will also need to make sure you have plenty of fuel. 4WD guides say it is "challenging driving" with bottomless bogs providing potentially vehicle damaging and risk of vehicle loss.
The alternate and more difficult route to Pieman Heads is via the Inland Track. This 7km trail takes more than two hours to complete and should only be attempted in groups of two or more vehicles. It is quite boggy and wet in sections. Always carry recovery gear.
River
It's an 18.5km (one way) boat/kayak trip from the Corinna boat ramp to the Pieman Heads jetty. This is a stunning journey through the southern end of the Tarkine, the largest temperate rainforest in Australia, and is the northernmost point where the famous Huon pine grows. Should you not have your own kayak or boat, there is a daily cruise from Corinna that stops at Pieman Heads for about 1.5 hours, or you could take camping gear and return at a later date. An extended stay would allow you to visit the incredible 'conical rocks' geological feature.
Walk
Are you crazy? OK, there's a number of non-distinct tracks leading into the area. Wilson Road off the Corinna Road C249 is listed as a good starting point for a 20+ kilometre walk.
The Geocache
Now on to the Geocache you will be looking for, you are seaching for a large watertight metal box placed at the top of a dune under the boughs of a tree, when placed it was well hidden.