On this rafting expedition, you will experience a memorable blend of wilderness and adventure. See the confinement of the gorges, with their deep pools of dark water, surrounded by luxuriant rainforest and the spectacular overhanging cliffs at the Newlands Cascades campsite. Notice the contrast to the meandering lower reaches of the river, with its majestic forests, limestone cliffs and pebble beaches.

Itinerary:
Day 1
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. You will 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 you have been travelling past. Guests will 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, notice the impressive views of both Macquarie Harbour and the many mountains that make up the Franklin & Lower Gordon World Heritage Area.

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.

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

Day 2
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. There is the occasional rapid just to keep you from becoming too complacent.

The 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 morning’s paddle is relatively easy, meandering around the many bends in the river, till you arrive at Kutakina Cave, for a brief stop. The river picks up pace for the next 6 km with both Double and Big Falls, which is a quick portage. The rest of the afternoon is spent paddling the remaining few kilometres on the Franklin River, and then having joined with the Gordon River you will 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. You will board in the morning and are then served a hot breakfast, before gently motoring downstream. When you reach the mouth of the Gordon River, the sails will be hoisted and the winds take you across Macquarie Harbour and into Strahan.

A bus will be waiting to transfer you back to Hobart…

Departs: November – March

For more information on any of our Great Expeditions Travel Adventures, contact us today!

Our collage photos are courtesy of Rafting Tasmania