Franklin River Rafting Leave No Trace Conservation Whitewater

World Expeditions beach camp on the Franklin River rafting adventure, Tasmania | Ivan Edhouse

World Expeditions rafts on the Franklin River Tasmania | Ivan Edhouse

The Great Ravine, heart of the Franklin River, Tasmania | Rolley Tickner

For a true wilderness experience, raft the rapids of the mighty Franklin River. | Louise Southerden

Rafter relaxing with 'The River Runs Free' written by Geoff Law | Geoff Law

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9 Days$USD

View Inclusions

Activities

8 days rafting
1 day sailing

Accommodation

8 nights camping

Meals

8 Dinners
9 Lunches
8 Breakfasts

Moderate to Challenging

Trip highlights

Raft the iconic Franklin River - named the world's best river journey in 2013 by Outside Magazine
Learn more about minimal impact travel from Tim Macartney-Snape
Support and help raise funds for Leave No Trace Australia & New Zealand
Experience true wilderness camping
Enjoy a sailboat journey back to Strahan
Surround yourself with Tasmania's pristine wilderness

The Franklin River is one of Australia’s most special places, it was recently named as the best river journey in the world by ‘Outside Magazine’. The river was etched into Australian conservation and political history when it was saved in 1983 from being dammed. Rafting down this great river is a true wilderness experience, as it forges through the rugged south west of Tasmania, through deep gorges, exciting rapids, quiet pools and magnificent temperate rainforest.

Tim is best known as a mountaineer, and has twice been honoured as an Order of Australia recipient but he is also a keen river paddler and has been down the Franklin River. Tim’s held the position of founding Chair of Leave No Trace Australia, making him the ideal escort on this wilderness adventure, where he’ll explore with you the wealth of techniques that help Leave No Trace as you make your way down the river.

Join Tim on this special wilderness experience, and learn first hand about minimal impact wilderness travel.

Any descent of the Franklin is demanding and while previous rafting experience is not required, some wilderness knowledge, along with a sound level of fitness, is essential. $500 of your participation fee will be donated to Leave No Trace Australia or New Zealand.

World Expeditions is committed to responsible travel and true sustainability. Over the decades we have honed our responsible travel philosophy and the initiatives we have in the field are continually being assessed and improved to ensure that we minimise our impact and where possible leave behind a positive impression.

We are aligned with the international organisation, Leave No Trace, that sets the global standard for outdoor ethics to ensure that our recreation in natural places is sustainable. In its simplest form, Leave No Trace is about making good decisions to protect the world we all enjoy. The 7 principles of Leave No Trace that World Expeditions subscribes to are:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

4. Leave What You Find

5. Minimise Campfire Impacts

6. Respect Wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Your Hosts and Other Visitors

Leave No Trace Australia >> www.lnt.org.au

Leave No Trace New Zealand >> www.leavenotrace.org.nz

Itinerary

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Day 1
Transfer to Collingwood Bridge, begin paddling

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

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.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Rafting the Upper Franklin

This is a long day, with some interesting paddling on the way with numerous campsites to be found on this upper stretch of the river.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
The Great Ravine

We reach the Great Ravine and the first major portage at the Churn. There are also some difficult sections along the river prior to reaching the Churn. We camp at Coruscades Camp within the Great Ravine.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
The Great Ravine to Rafters Basin

Takes us to the Rafters Basin and out of the Great Ravine. We paddle and portage through Coruscades, Livingstone's Cut, Thunderush and the Cauldron to the Mousehole. It is only a 2km paddle now from Mousehole to Rafter's Basin where we camp for the night.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Propsting Gorge to Newlands Cascades

The Black Forest or Newlands Cascades is our destination, depending on weather. If it's raining, Newlands Cave is the place to be, and we camp under an impressive, large rock overhang. Today's we paddle through Propsting Gorge and some of the Franklins best rapids. After lunch, Newlands Cascades, the longest rapid on the river, will have to be negotiated en route to the campsite.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Rafting the Lower Franklin

Straightforward paddling to Blackman's Bend through the deep temperate rainforest of the lower river that was protected by the environmental protests of the early 1980's.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
The Lower Gordon River

Our camp tonight is at Sir John Falls on the Gordon River, about 5 km downstream of the junction of the Gordon and Franklin. On the way down we will be passing by Double Falls, Big Fall and spectacular limestone Verandah Cliffs.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Transfer by yacht in the morning to Strahan

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 have a group farewell dinner this evening.

Meals: B,L

Inclusions

What's included

2 professional rafting guides
8 nights camping
8 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 8 dinners
transport by private minibus
sailboat from lower Gordon River to Strahan
all rafting and safety equipment
wetsuit and paddling jacket
emergency communications & group first aid kit
$500 donation to Leave No Trace Australia
Sea to Summit 35 litre Hydraulic Dry Pack - to keep

What's 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

About Your Leader

Tim Macartney-Snape is one of Australia's most renowned explorers. He has successfully climbed Mt Everest by a new route without oxygen from Tibet in 1984 and then again from Nepal in 1990 during his famous Sea to Summit expedition. He has first ascents of other great peaks including Annapurna 2 and Gasherbrum IV. Tim is a partner in the clothing and equipment manufacturer Sea To Summit Pty Ltd. Once or twice a year, in conjunction with World Expeditions, Tim takes small groups of trekkers on expeditions to remote parts of the Himalaya and Africa - and now Tasmania - and likes to spend some months each year exploring remote areas in northern Australia. Tim is also the Chair of the Nepal Eye Program Australia. Tim first rafted the Franklin River in 2011.

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Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Leave No Trace Franklin River Rafting with Tim Macartney Snape 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.