Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap

Land Tour

11 days

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Franklin River and Frenchmans Cap
  • About
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  • Itinerary
  • Location

$AUD 445 per day

Departure: Launceston, Australia

Arrival: Launceston, Australia

Adventure

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 tuynti/Frenchmans Cap. From Irenabyss on the Franklin River, you will undertake a one-day ascent from the river to the quartzite dome of tuynti/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.
About
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
Hightlights
Trek to the summit of tuynti/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

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Transfer to Collingwood Bridge, begin paddling
We pick you up early this morning in Launceston, from one of our two pick up locations. Our first pick up point is at 6:15am from the Grand Chancellor and our second pick up point is at 6:30am at the Penny Royal. We then 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.
*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.
Day 2 - Raft to Irenabyss
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.
Days 3-4 - tuynti/Frenchmans Cap Climb
Weather permitting we climb to tuynti/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 tuynti/Frenchmans in fine weather.
Day 5 - Rafting the Upper Franklin
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.
Day 6 - The Great Ravine
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.
Day 7 - The Great Ravine to Rafter's Basin
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.
Day 8 - Propsting Gorge to Newlands Cascades
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.
Day 9 - Rafting the Lower Franklin
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.
Day 10 - The Lower Gordon River
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.
Day 11 - Transfer by yacht to Strahan, return to Launceston
This morning you are collected by Stormbreaker yacht and cruise down the length of the river before reaching paralungatik/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, our two drop-off points in Launceston are the Grand Chancellor and the Penny Royal. We usually celebrate with a group farewell dinner this evening.
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