This ten day expedition, rafting the full navigable length of the Franklin River includes a day walk (optional) to the imposing Frenchman's Cap 1,443 metres, as well as rafting through one of Tasmania’s deepest and most impressive gorges. You will also enjoy a spectacular seaplane flight to Strahan.

Day 1 - Depart at 7am from the Astor Hotel. We follow the Derwent River then climb into the central highlands passing Lake Saint Clair before descending to the Collingwood River, a tributary of the Franklin. Here your guides will load the rafts and give a safety briefing. The day is spent mastering the rafts and enjoying easy rapids leading down to our evening’s camp at the junction with the Franklin River. A short climb can take us to Donaghy's Hill for panoramic views down the Franklin River and across to Frenchman’s Cap.

Day 2 - An early start sees us traversing the first of the Franklin's gorges, Aesthesia Ravine. After tackling the Log Jam and Nasty Notch portages, we rocket through the rapids of Dissension Gorge before arriving at the beautiful 'Irenabyss' or chasm of peace, our base for the next two nights.

Day 3 - Today we scale Frenchman's Cap. In fine weather we'll have views that encompass the entire south west World Heritage Area, including the rapids of the Franklin sparkling below. If the weather is poor or you choose not to climb the Cap, there are a number of lower level walks nearby that offer a different perspective of the river.

Day 4 - Today it's straight back into the action. Dozens of rapids, interspersed with quiet reaches, lead us past Mount Fincham, the Jericho Walls and the Crankle and onto our campsite at the base of the Engineer Range. Here we relax under a canopy of towering Sassafras and Myrtle trees and may go swimming.

Day 5 - A spectacular day that brings us to the awesome Great Ravine, one of Tasmania’s deepest gorges. First we'll tackle the Side Slip rapid before coming to the Churn. Teamwork and tenacity will be required to portage at least part of this huge obstruction in the river. Soon after we'll arrive at our camp for a well earned rest on the banks of Serenity Sound deep in the Ravine.

Day 6 - We'll use all of our well practised rafting skills to negotiate the Coruscades, one of the longest rapids on the river. A short float takes us through to our next portage at Thunderush, then it’s on to the last obstacle, the Cauldron. Our expert guides will ensure that we pass these awesome rapids safely and efficiently. Our final camp at Rafters Basin is a great place to relax after the achievements of the day.

Day 7 - Today we head into Propsting Gorge and arrive at the Mount McCall Track, where our resupplies await. Those people only taking part in the Upper Franklin section of the tour will leave us here, others may join for the Lower Franklin section. After repacking the rafts we continue through the exciting Trojans rapids before arriving at Rock Island Bend and the Pig Trough, with its delightful waterfall cascading into a fern lined grotto. Safety dictates that we portage the actual Pig Trough rapid before we round the bend to tackle the famous Newland Cascades. This section will have everyone whooping with delight as we plunge through a maelstrom of spray and whitewater. At rapids-end is a place for a deserved break. On the bank, natural overhangs provide the ideal shelter. Echoing cliffs and plumes of spray add to the magnificent setting. We sometimes spend a day here.

Day 8 - The river abruptly leaves the quartzite gorges of the Middle Franklin and enters the limestone country of the lower reaches. Tranquil pools are broken by the occasional large rapid. 'Little Fall' is a great spot for action photography! Slowly the river increases in volume. The Jane River enters from the left just above our midday break on Flat Island, a beach of polished river stone dominated by the impressive Elliot range. We then continue to our evening’s camp under a canopy of ancient trees by the deep pool at Blackman Bend. We may be lucky enough to get a visit from the local platypus.

Day 9 - The thick rainforest which clings to the river banks is punctuated by limestone cliffs and strange rock formations. The river widens and now flows quietly. There is time to reflect; to conjure up visions of Aboriginal peoples hunting the Ice Age plains in the days before the forest spread to claim the open country. Today we will carefully show you some of the unique limestone caves which sheltered these people some 14,000 year ago. Later in the day we will tackle the unexpected 'Double Fall' before making our final camp, on one of the lower river's many sandy beaches.

Day 10 - Almost immediately we encounter the last step down in the rivers bedrock, 'Big Fall'. It's a deceptive rapid which we portage easily and quickly. Around the corner is the gaping Pengana Cave, a towering vault in the cliffs. We enjoy our last lunch near the junction of the Franklin and Gordon Rivers. Our final few hours are spent drifting along this mighty river, carried along by the huge volume of water that makes the Gordon, Tasmania's largest waterway. Soon we reach the picturesque Sir John Falls where our 'Wilderness Air' seaplane will meet us for the return flight over Macquarie Harbour to Strahan on the west coast. A bus trip back to Hobart completes our journey. This is a guide only and may alter with river levels.

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