Franklin River Rafting

Pick up early this morning in Launceston from one of two pick-up locations: 6:15am from the Grand Chancellor or 6:30am at the Penny Royal. Drive to the put-in point at Collingwood Bridge, arriving around 12:00pm. Inflate and load rafts, followed by a safety briefing and paddling instruction. The destination today is the junction of the Franklin and Collingwood rivers or downstream to the Aesthesia Ravine.

*You will need to arrive in Launceston the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 1:00pm pre-trip briefing.

Today tackle the Log Jam, Nasty Notch, Descension Gorge, and float calmly through the Irenabyss, camping just below the gorge. Spend the evening relaxing at an idyllic camp deep in the wilderness. While the guides prepare a hearty evening meal, enjoy a cup of tea by the river and look for wildlife that comes out at dusk.

Today is a long and beautiful day of rafting, with interesting paddling and numerous campsites along the riverbanks. The mood of the river depends on recent rainfall. Look out for the red flowers of climbing heath cascading down the rock faces. Enjoy another feast prepared by the guides, then sleep under the open sky.

Reach the Great Ravine today and the first major portage at the Churn. There are challenging sections along the river before reaching the Churn. Pass Blushrock Falls, named for the red tinge in the rock. Look out for views of Frenchman’s Cap from the river. Guides will share stories about the Franklin’s history and lesser-known tales. Camp at Coruscades Camp within the Great Ravine.

Today paddle to Deliverance Reach, the end of the Great Ravine, and on to Rafter’s Basin. After breakfast, 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. Paddle 2km from the Mousehole to Rafter’s Basin and camp by Interlude Creek.

Depending on the weather, the destination today is either The Black Forest or Newlands Cascades. Paddle through Propsting Gorge and some of the Franklin’s best rapids. After lunch, navigate the longest rapid on the river: Newlands Cascades. Visit Rock Island Bend. Camp at a large rock overhang at the bottom of these rapids.

Greet the morning with a hot drink, watching the sun creep down the valley. Paddle to Blackman’s Bend through the deep temperate rainforest of the lower river, protected by the environmental protests of the early 1980s.

Paddle past Double Fall, Big Fall, and Galleon Bluff, then float under the impressive overhang of Verandah Cliffs. Visit the Lost World and pass the Kutikina Aboriginal Cave. Camp at Sir John Falls on the Gordon River, 5km downstream of the Gordon and Franklin junction. The small wharf in front of the campsite is perfect for a swim in the Gordon River.

This morning, the Stormbreaker yacht collects the group and cruises down the river before reaching Macquarie Harbour. Enjoy the views over the Gordon River. In Strahan, transfer back to Launceston by bus, arriving in Launceston in the late afternoon or evening. Celebrate with a group farewell dinner.