Rafter admiring the famous Rock Island Bend on the Franklin | Glenn Walker
Rafter admiring the famous Rock Island Bend on the Franklin  | Glenn Walker
Navigating the rapids on the Franklin River  | Carl Roe
The end of another day on the Franklin  | Glenn Walker
Pristine wilderness, Franklin River  | Glenn Walker
Expect delicious dinners on the Franklin with us  | Glenn Walker
World Expeditions rafts on the Franklin River Tasmania  | Ivan Edhouse

Franklin River Rafting

The World's Best River Journey - Outside Magazine

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 104 reviews

8 Days from

$3090 USD

Trip Code: FFR
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Duration

  • 8 Days

Activities

  • 7 days rafting
  • 1 day sailing

Accommodation

  • 7 nights camping

Meals

  • 7 Dinners
  • 8 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Franklin River Trip highlights

  • One of Australia's most pristine wilderness experiences
  • Visit Rock Island Bend and the Lost World
  • Enjoy a sailboat journey back to Strahan along the Gordon River
  • No phone reception, no crowds - escape it all

Overview

There are few places left where the wilderness still writes its own story—and Tasmania’s Franklin River is one of them. This is not just a rafting trip, but a rare expedition into one of the last remaining temperate wilderness areas on Earth. Here, ancient rainforest clings to sheer rock walls, tannin-rich waters carve through dramatic gorges, and the only sounds are the river and your paddle. There’s no phone reception, no other groups, and no sign of modern life—just the quiet, commanding presence of nature, unchanged for millennia.

Recognised by the US based Outside magazine as the 'World’s Best River Journey', the Franklin is more than worthy of the accolade. It’s a place of pristine beauty and raw power, where each bend reveals a new marvel—from cathedral-like gorges to thundering rapids, still pools to sculpted rock formations.

We pioneered the first commercial descent in 1978 and has guided more people down this legendary river than anyone else. With us, you travel in the footsteps of conservationists, explorers and storytellers who fought to protect this river—and won.

Our experience sets us apart. From navigating remote stretches with absolute precision to preparing hearty, freshly cooked meals at river’s edge, we manage the details so you can focus on the journey. Our self-bailing rafts are purpose-built for the Franklin, our safety record is second to none, and our guides—local, passionate, and highly skilled—bring the river to life through their deep knowledge of its moods, history and rhythms.

Each day brings a sense of discovery, whether it’s tackling the rapids of the Great Ravine, spotting wildlife on quiet river bends, or standing in awe at Rock Island Bend or The Lost World. The final day unfolds with a peaceful sail down the Gordon River to Strahan—a fitting end to an expedition that takes you deep off the map, into a part of the world few ever truly know.

No prior rafting experience is needed, only a good level of fitness and a spirit of adventure. What you’ll gain is rare: a full-immersion wilderness experience that will challenge, inspire and reconnect you with something older, deeper, and undeniably wild.

Itinerary

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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 12:00pm and here we will inflate and load our rafts and have lunch. Before getting on the water the guides will provide a safety briefing and instruction on paddling the raft. 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. *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.

Meals: 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 Propsting Gorge and some of the Franklin's best rapids. After lunch we navigate the longest rapid on the river: Newlands Cascades. We'll also visit Rock Island Bend. At the bottom of these rapids there is a long, large rock 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 drape 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. Today we will visit the Lost World and acknowledge passing the Kutikina Aboriginal Cave. 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 the 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 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.

Meals: B,L

Map

Elevation

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

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 2 professional rafting guides
  • 7 nights camping
  • 7 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 7 dinners
  • Transport by private minibus
  • Sailboat from lower Gordon River to Strahan
  • All rafting and safety equipment
  • Wetsuit, paddling jacket and helmet
  • 65L waterproof gear bag
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit

Not included

  • Travel to and from Launceston
  • 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

Adventure Highlighted Video - Franklin River

Why Raft Tasmania's Franklin River?

Why Raft Tasmania's Franklin River?
Rafting the Franklin River

Reviews (104)

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