5 Day Franklin River Rafting Expedition - Itinerary

Day 1

We leave Hobart, travelling by bus along the Lyell Highway, passing through the villages, hopfields and orchards of the Derwent Valley, and up into the Central Highlands. We pass by a number of lakes and then descent into the Surprise Valley. The rainforest is a lush contrast to the stark high plains country we have been travelling past. We arrive in the mining town of Queenstown and transfer to the 4WD for the rugged drive to the top of Mt McCall. Along the way, we have impressive views of both Macquarie Harbour and the many mountains that make up the Franklin & Lower Gordon World Heritage Area.

We unload all the gear and then carry it down the steep track, which drops 320 meters, to the river. It may be necessary to make two trips, depending on the size of the group. We start paddling downstream as soon as we have loaded the rafts.

The run down to Newlands Cascades is one of the best days paddling available on the Franklin River, with many enjoyable rapids. The river has carved a route through the rock to create a memorable gorge, waterfalls plummeting into the river and some memorable rapids, interspersed with magnificent rainforest. There is a short portage at Three Tiers, followed by the exciting rapids through the Glen Calder. The Pig Trough is the last major portage on the Franklin River, whilst out of the raft, it is worth a short detour to view the waterfall, framed by the Huon Pine and Myrtle rainforest. The short paddle past the Rock Island Bend and then the descent of the Newlands Cascades finishes a magnificent day.

This evening's camp is under the overhanging cliffs, which provide a roomy campsite with no need for artificial shelters.

Day 2

We leave the gorges behind and enjoy a change in both pace and scenery. Outcrops of jagged limestone, breaking out of the verdant rainforest have replaced the quartzite cliffs. This forest has never been burnt, since it evolved from open Button Grass plains at the end of the last Ice Age. The Franklin River is joined by the Jane River, increasing in volume as it sweeps past the Cromleich Cliffs on the Elliot Range. There is the occasional rapid just to keep us from becoming too complacent.

Our camp this evening will be amongst the giant Tasmanian Beech trees, which have shed a gentle carpet of fine leaves amongst the other rainforest trees and bushes.

Day 3

This mornings paddle is relatively easy, meandering around the many bends in the river, till we arrive at Kutakina Cave, where we stop briefly. The river picks up pace for the next 6 km with both Double and Big Falls, which is a quick portage. Shortly after we come to Penghana Cave, again worth a detour. The rest of the afternoon is spent paddling the remaining few kilometers on the Franklin River, and then having joined with the Gordon River we paddle down to Sir John Falls for the last camp on the river.

Day 4

During the night, the 60ft yacht "Stormbreaker" has quietly come upriver. We load in the morning and are then served a hot breakfast, before gently motoring downstream. When we reach the mouth of the Gordon River, we hoist the sails and let the winds take us across Macquarie Harbour and into Strahan.

The bus is awaiting our return and soon we start the journey back to Hobart. Usually arriving about 8.00pm.