White Water Rafting, Franklin River 10 day - Tasmania

Fitness and Experience

• A reasonable level of fitness is important and should increase your enjoyment of this trip
• The Frenchman’s Cap walk involves an ascent and descent of more than 1000 metres. In addition there will be some portages which require us to carry rafts and equipment around certain rapids
• You should feel confident swimming with a buoyancy vest should you fall out or the raft capsize. Rapids vary from Grade One to Grade Six though most are Grade Two or Three. The most difficult level run on most trips is Grade Four and it is possible to walk around many of these rapids should you choose
• The minimum age is 16 years, or lower by arrangement
• There is no maximum age limit
• Several people in their seventies have successfully completed river trips
• No previous rafting experience necessary

What to Bring/Wear

On The Water

• Running shoes with laces (e.g. Dunlop volley) OR '5. 10' or 'stealth rubber' soled river runners OR sandals (enclosed shoes are preferred to sandals). Avoid wet suit boots, as they generally do not provide sufficient support when moving around on wet rocks
• One pair of woollen (e.g. Explorer), thermal or neoprene socks
• Long sleeved thermal top-polypropylene / polyester fleece OR light weight wool NOT cotton
• For under wetsuit - swimwear OR Lycra tights OR Lycra suit
• Shorts - to wear over wetsuit
• Peaked cap
• Water resistant sunscreen

Off the Water

• Sleeping bag - polyester or down - should be rated 0°C or lower (may be hired for $40)
• Rain jacket with hood - coated nylon or gortex with sealed seams
• Warm tracksuit pants OR polyester fibre pile pants, NOT jeans or cotton trousers
• Shorts
• Two T-shirts
• A fibre pile fleece jacket OR warm jumper
• Second thermal long sleeved top
• Thermal pants or tights
• Woollen or thermal socks
• Chamois towel
• Sturdy runners or lightweight boots
• Small torch and spare batteries/globe OR head lamp LED (e.g. Petzl tikka)
• Minimal soap, tooth paste and tooth brush
• Woollen or thermal hat
• Money
• Travel insurance
• Airfares - except where stated
• Meals and accommodation before and after the expedition
• Items of a personal nature

Optional 

• Wetsuit or dry suit
• Sunglasses with retention strap
• Thermarest and thermarest chair
• Over pants - nylon or gortex
• Tent - small
• Inner sheet for sleeping bag
• Bivvy bag
• Walkman
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Small sunscreen
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• Book

What is Supplied

• Transport to and from the river from Hobart and back, including seaplane flight on the last day
• All meals from lunch Day One to lunch on final day
• All rafting equipment, including the best in buoyancy aids, helmets and spray jackets
• Dry bag (60 litres) to store personal gear whilst on the river
• Wetsuit - long legs and short arms
• All camping equipment including inflatable mattress (except sleeping bags)
• National park entry fees
• Satellite phone for emergency communication
• Qualified and experienced guides
• Comprehensive first aid kit
• Pelican case with water resistant O-ring seals for cameras and fragile items

More Information

When and where can I raft? Trips on the Franklin run from November through to April on set dates. Departures are normally on a Sunday returning on Tuesday. You will need to meet your guides in Hobart the day before the trip starts. On the afternoon of Day Ten we expect to fly by seaplane to Strahan on the west coast. From here our bus will return to Hobart by early evening. Please note that very occasionally delays can be caused by extreme weather conditions. We recommend catching the last flight out of Hobart on the day after the trip. We expect to begin each days rafting at around 9.00am, have lunch by the river around midday, and aim to finish at about 3.00pm. This gives us time to take a swim, explore the river environs or just to relax. What about photos/videos? Fuji waterproof disposable cameras produce acceptable results for little cost. Waterproof cameras (e.g. Nikonos V) with faster film may increase your opportunities for photos and a tripod can be useful. Video cameras have been taken down the river. Remember to bring spare films and batteries. The weather is often warm and sunny, however rain and cold conditions both on and off the river may be encountered, and nights are usually cool. Much of the Franklin catchment receives in excess of 2,500mm precipitation annually. It can snow on the peaks even in summer however; it is generally protected and comfortable in the river valley. Climate - During the summer months (December to March) the daily maximum temperature ranges between 17°C and 30°C.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Environmental Policy - On the Franklin we do not light campfires because the soil is so 'peaty' it may itself ignite. Portable stoves are used for our cooking needs. We carry portable toilets to ensure we leave nothing behind! We are fortunate that the Franklin runs with pure drinkable water and we do our utmost to ensure this continues.

Guides - Our guides are professionals, chosen for their local knowledge, rafting and cooking skills. They look forward to helping you get the most from your holiday. Your safety, comfort and enjoyment are our priority. Camping - We prefer to use tarpaulins (flysheets) as camp shelters, as we find that in many instances adequate tent sites are difficult to come by, due to the density of the forest and general steepness of terrain. It is however possible to bring your own small tent if you wish. We provide comfortable air mattresses, you may bring a thermarest or closed cell foam mat as well. Insects are not usually a problem. The guides take pride in their cooking skills and go to great lengths to provide a varied and interesting menu using fresh produce. Please advise us if you have any dietary requirements.