Rafts on the Franklin River | <i>Glenn Walker</i> Guides rafting wilder waters on the Franklin River | <i>Glenn Walker</i> Rafters at Rock Island Bend | <i>Glenn Walker</i> Meal time on the Franklin River expedition | <i>Glenn Walker</i>
 
 

Raft Tasmania's renowned Franklin River

40+ years pioneering the 'World's Best River Journey'

Acknowledged as one of the most spectacular and challenging river trips around, the Franklin River has attracted adventurers from all over the world. The opportunity of an expedition-style trip, rather than merely "thrills and spills" makes this the ultimate wilderness experience.

Perhaps there is no better example of a pure outdoor experience than rafting 129km of virtually untouched Tasmanian wilderness, reaching areas untouchable by vehicle and on foot.

But like all great expeditions, there will be times when patience is required. However, you will be one of the privileged few to have experienced this relatively untouched wilderness area – one of Australia's most scenic and prized destinations.

What makes the Franklin River a wilderness haven?

There are few great frontiers left in the world and the Franklin is one of them. Free of pasture and any human habitation, it is a veritable feast for the intrepid explorer, and for many Australians, the Franklin is a river that flows deep through the nation’s psyche.

It is synonymous with wilderness conservation and once slated to be dammed, now provides one of the purest and most challenging wilderness trips in the country.

One of the world's last truly great wild rivers, it forges through the rugged south west of Tasmania, through deep gorges, quiet pools and magnificent temperate rainforest. Voted the best river journey in the world by Outside Magazine in 2012, you’ll be hard-pressed coming across a rafting destination as wild, clean and unique as the Franklin.

 

It won't be dammed: history of the legendary Franklin River

Celebrating more than 40 years rafting the majestic and mystic Franklin River, World Expeditions, Tasmanian Expeditions' parent company was the first operator on the river and continues to offer this popular adventure.

It’s been four decades since Australia’s famous environmental campaign ‘Save the Franklin’ was voiced to the entire country – a momentous victory in saving the Franklin River and surrounding pristine wilderness from extinction. Read more about the history >

It'll be hard to find an area as pristine and World Heritage Listed that hasn’t changed over the last 40 years. Even the Dunlop Volley shoes are still on the gear list, 40 years on!

 Geoff Law and Bob Brown discuss events around the campaign.

Rafting options on the Franklin River

There are trips where you enjoy spending a few days exploring remote wilderness at a comfortable pace, but sometimes you need to feel your heart pound, to dive into a more challenging grind, to experience that exhilarating rush, or catch a lump in your throat as part of the venture.

If you are fit, have some experience on the water, willing to brave the elements and ready to pitch in to portage the gear when the rapids are rough, then a trip along the Franklin is for you. Rafting down this superb river is the only way to truly appreciate its wild beauty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"The rapids were fast, fun and wild. We felt safe, well fed and well looked after by the two very experienced guides ... Although it was one of the toughest things we have done, it was also one of the most beautiful and rewarding."
– K. Radcliff, NSW, Australia

Our Franklin River expeditions take place in the summer season between November and February. The 129km rafting journey stay in unique, river-view camp spots each evening, which remain relatively unchanged since we pioneered this journey back in 1978.

Visit the historic Kutikina Aboriginal Cave, navigate the picturesque Rock Island Bend, discover the Lost World at Penghana Cave, and camp beside the riverside and listen to its rhythmic tones. The journey will provide you with an understanding of the importance placed on saving the river, now for everyone to experience.

Find below our top river journeys guaranteed to get your heart pumping as you navigate through stunning waterway wilderness, and endeavour to recreate the 1978 raft expedition with the pioneers of rafting. You can even tick off two great Tasmanian adventures: rafting the world's best river journey with an exhilarating climb up the prized summit of Frenchman's Cap for a superb view of the South West World Heritage Site.

Franklin River Rafting Expeditions

Why travel with us

INNOVATIVE ADVENTURES

All of our active Tasmanian holidays provide our travellers with ample opportunities to experience Tasmania’s diverse wilderness, combined with the safety, local knowledge and flexibility necessary to operate quality adventure holidays in Tasmania's rapidly changing environment.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Environmental values filter through every aspect of the company, from the minimal impact camping procedures through to the interpretation of environment. Tasmanian Expeditions has Leave No Trace policies in place to ensure destinations retain their natural character and cultural diversity.

ULTIMATE VALUE

Our adventure holidays aim to be fully inclusive. We include park fees, permits, internal flights, meals and camping gear in our trip price, as well as gear such as goretex jackets and sleeping bags when required.

Get Social

World Expeditions Travel Group

World Expeditions Australian Walking Holidays Tasmanian Expeditions Adventure South Great Canadian Trails Utracks Huma Challenge World Expeditions Schools Walkers' Britain Sherpa Van Trail Journeys Blue Moutains Adventures Company Larapinta Trail Walk Australian Cycle Tours Great Walks of New Zealand North America Active Adventure Travel West
  World Expeditions hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) no. 4491 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate.
© Copyright 2024 by Tasmanian Expeditions Pty Ltd
Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips