6
Moderate to Challenging

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 9 days rafting
  • 1 day walking
  • 1 day sailing
Accommodation
  • 10 nights camping
Meals
  • 10 Dinners
  • 11 Lunches
  • 10 Breakfasts

11 Days$4795AUD

Trip Code: FRC

Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap Trip highlights


  • Trek to the summit of Frenchmans Cap for immense views over the South West World Heritage Area
  • Travel with the company that pioneered rafting on the Franklin River
  • Visit Rock Island Bend, and the Lost World
  • Stay at true wilderness campsites right next to the river
  • Sailboat cruise along the Gordon River to Strahan

For the ultimate Tasmanian wilderness experience, this 11 day rafting trip takes advantage of the access the Franklin River offers to the prized summit of the Frenchmans Cap. From Irenabyss on the Franklin River, you will undertake a one-day ascent from the river to the quartzite dome of Frenchmans Cap (1443m), from where you can enjoy 360 degree views over the entire south west wilderness. Returning to the river you'll continue this classic rafting adventure, meeting the challenges of Great Ravine, Propsting Gorge and Newlands Cascades. The massive temperate rainforests of the lower Franklin and Gordon Rivers are an inspirational reminder of what was saved when the Franklin Dam was stopped in 1983. Led by experienced rafting guides, this rafting expedition is recognised by many as one of the greatest wilderness experiences on earth. Our trip was named the best river journey in the world by Outside Magazine in 2012. Join on us on this real wilderness experience of a lifetime.

Activities:

Itinerary

An early start today, we leave Launceston at 6.00am and drive to our put-in point at Collingwood Bridge. We aim to be there around 12:00 noon and here we will inflate and load our rafts. Before getting on the water the guides will provide a safety briefing and instruction in paddling the raft. Our destination this day is the junction of the Franklin and Collingwood rivers or downstream to the Aesthesia Ravine.

Meals:  L,D

Today we will tackle the Log Jam, Nasty Notch, Descension Gorge and float calmly through the Irenabyss and camp just on the side of the river below the gorge. We spend the evening relaxing at our idyllic camp deep in the wilderness. While your guides prepare a hearty evening meal, why not take a cup of tea down to the river to look for the wildlife that comes out at dusk.

Meals:  B,L,D

Weather permitting we climb to Frenchmans Cap from our base camp at Irenabyss. Trekking to the peak is challenging and immensely rewarding; an absolute highlight of Tasmanian bushwalking. The walk is approximately 7km and will take between 8 to 10 hours. The trail is very steep, and is often muddy and slippery. The incomparable views from the top take in a vast expanse of the wild and rugged south-west World Heritage Area, making the effort well-worth it. Having two days set aside allows us some flexibility and gives us maximum chance of climbing Frenchmans in fine weather.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a long and beautiful day of rafting, with some interesting paddling and numerous campsites along the river banks. The mood of the river depends completely on how much rain has fallen recently. Keep your eye out for the red flowers of climbing heath cascading down the surrounding rock faces. Tonight we enjoy another feast prepared by your guides, then turn in for a night under the open sky.

Meals:  B,L,D

We reach the Great Ravine today and the first major portage at the Churn. There are some challenging sections along the river prior to reaching the Churn. We pass Blushrock Falls, named for the red tinge in the rock. As we paddle look out for a view of Frenchman's Cap from the river. Your passionate guides will tell you about the Franklin’s famous history, and also intriguing lesser known tales that have come to them over their years of adventuring on this wild river. Tonight we camp at Coruscades Camp within the Great Ravine.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today takes us to Deliverance Reach, the end of the Great Ravine, and on to Rafter's Basin. After breakfast we paddle and portage through Coruscades, Livingstone’s Cut, Thunderush, the Masterpiece and the Cauldron to the Mousehole – a narrow recess with a cat-like boulder overlooking the river. It is only a 2km paddle now from the Mousehole to Rafter’s Basin where we camp for the night by Interlude Creek. The terrain around our camp tonight is somewhat of a prelude of the forecoming Lower Franklin.

Meals:  B,L,D

Depending on the weather today our destination is The Black Forest or Newlands Cascades. Life on the river is extremely dominated by the weather and your guides are adaptable, with a great plan B no matter what mother nature throws down at them... it's all part of the adventure! Today we paddle through Prospsting Gorge and some of the Franklin's best rapids. After lunch we navigate the longest rapid on the river: Newlands Cascades. At the bottom of these rapids there is a long, large overhang which makes a cosy place to spend the night.

Meals:  B,L,D

Greet the morning with a hot drink in hand, watching the sun creep down the sides of the valley towards our camp. Huon Pines and Leatherwood trees drapes themselves elegantly along the banks of the river. Listen and look for the birds that flit amongst their branches. The paddling today is relatively straightforward, to Blackman’s Bend through the deep temperate rainforest of the lower river that was protected by the environmental protests of the early 1980s.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today our adventure takes us past Double Fall, Big Fall, and Galleon Bluff, which is said to look similar to the sterns of several ships jutting out into the dark water. Shortly after we float under the impressive overhang of Verandah Cliffs. Our camp tonight is at Sir John Falls on the Gordon River, about 5km downstream of the junction of the Gordon and Franklin. The small wharf in front of our campsite is the perfect place from which to have a swim in the Gordon River, and to look out for white bellied sea eagles, as your guides prepare our final evening meal.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning you are collected by Stormbreaker yacht and cruise down the length of the river before reaching Macquarie Harbour. Take the chance to kick back on the deck and enjoy the views over the broad expanse of the Gordon River. In Strahan we are met by our bus, which will transfer us back to Launceston. Arrival in Launceston may vary from late afternoon to late evening. We usually celebrate with a group farewell dinner this evening.

Meals:  B,L


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 2 professional rafting guides
  • 10 nights camping
  • 10 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 10 dinners
  • Transport by private minibus
  • Sailboat from lower Gordon River to Strahan
  • All rafting and safety equipment
  • Wetsuit and paddling jacket
  • 80L waterproof gear bag
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit

  • Travel to and from Launceston before and after the trip
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, car parking in Launceston etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation


Suitability

Moderate to Challenging

6

For most of this trip you will be rafting or walking in remote areas for up to 6 to 10 hours a day, possibly more, with lots of physical activity. The Franklin River Rafting trip is graded moderate to challenging. Rafting is an activity that any reasonably fit person can participate in. We do ask however, that all participants should feel confident in swimming with a buoyancy vest should they fall out of the raft. Our leaders will prepare you for such an event before we begin the trip. The degree of difficulty of the trip will depend on the water levels we encounter. Your guide will teach you the techniques to steer your raft. It will be up to the crew, under your guide's direction to make a successful, exciting trip. Whitewater rafting is one of the most thrilling of outdoor activities and requires a team effort. The raft guides will analyse the river and select the safest and most practical way through the rapids. For safety reasons we require each crew member to wear a buoyancy vest, helmet and footwear. Each raft is guided by an experienced river guide. We take 2 rafts on each expedition with 3-4 participants plus a professional guide in each raft. There is one day of walking where we summit Frenchmans Cap. This is a challenging but rewarding trek. Much of the walk is steep, with sections that require scrambling, and you'll likely encounter mud. Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four times a week (including a mix of walking and using a rowing machine). You should include day walking over steep, uneven terrain in your trip preparation.


Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
HS
Holiday Season
Note:
A high season supplement applies from 1 December to 15 February, and for any trip that overlaps a public holiday.

Priceper person from

$4795AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Frequently Asked Questions

This trek commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing at 1pm on the day before departure. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing and that you bring along all of the gear/clothing required for your expedition with you.

We will raft up to grade 4 and see / walk around grade 5-6+

This trip includes one day of walking as we summit Frenchman's Cap. The trek is challenging but immensely rewarding. Some sections are steep, there will be sections you need to scramble over, and mud is common in the area. You will need an excellent level of fitness for this day. Previous walking experience is essential.

As the Franklin River is renowned as being a true wilderness area, you cannot expect phone reception while on the trip. For certain mobile carriers, there is sometimes sporadic phone reception. However, this cannot be relied upon. Our guides carry emergency satellite phones which allow them to communicate with our base in Launceston if any emergencies arise. Rest assured you are not completely alone in the wilderness.

Unfortunately there are no charging facilities on this trip. We recommend bringing extra batteries or solar chargers for your phones. To conserve battery power on your mobile devices, turn your phones into flight mode.

You can either leave your excess luggage at the hotel that you stay at the night prior to the trip beginning, or alternatively, we can store it for you at our office in Launceston.

You will be returned to your accommodation at approximately 5pm on the final day of the trip.

Unfortunately there are no shower facilities on the trip. For those who are concerned about washing, you can have a quick refreshing dip in the Franklin River when we stop in the afternoons. However, for a real cleanse we recommend you bring baby wipes (remember to take them out with you as well!).

You’d be surprised how much food you’ll eat after a day’s rafting. Our guides are experienced when it comes to preparing meals in wilderness locations. Lunches usually consist of vegetable wraps with hams, chicken or salami, while evening meals can vary from curries, stroganoff and pastas. Deserts include improvised apple pie, and even a chocolate mousse if you’re lucky! Start your day with a hearty porridge or muesli, with snacks throughout the day including fruit and nuts, muesli bars and some fruit. All types of dietary requirements are catered for, including vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free, nut free etc.


Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap Trip reviews


Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap Videos

Why Raft Tasmania's Franklin River?

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.