Franklin River Rafting
Private Group
12 Days/11 Nights
Departs 18th March 2022
The Franklin River in South-West Tasmania is one of the truly special Wilderness destinations in the World - we think it is Nature showing off!
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We've secured a private departure for Mind and Body Travel clients and we'd love you to join us on this adventure of a lifetime. This trip includes 9 days of fully -guided rafting taking you through the most amazing scenery all with a small group of like-minded people who love disconnecting in nature and getting a little adventurous!
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You don't need to be a serious paddler or seasoned adventurer to join this trip however a reasonable amount of fitness will certainly increase your enjoyment throughout the trip - the most important thing is that you are ready to get out of your comfort zone!
Experience one of the most beautiful Wilderness Regions on Earth!
Includes Accommodation, Rafting Equipment, Rafting Guides, Most Meals and Travel Insurance
Private small group hosted by Mark Hodgson. Owner Mind and Body Travel - only 8 Rafters
Get your sense of Adventure on! A great opportunity to challenge yourself and disconnect
Day 1: Friday 18th March 2022
Arrive in Launceston
Flights arriving today will be greeted and met at Launceston Airport for transfer to Hotel Verge. This afternoon is at your leisure and tonight we’ll meet as a group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant (included)
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Accommodation: Hotel Verge, Launceston
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Saturday 19th March 2022
Launceston
Today is a free day to explore Launceston and surrounds. You may choose just to relax and explore the city, or head further afield to explore the sights! At 1pm today we will have a compulsory pre-rafting meeting to cover off all you need to know about the trip, gear check and ensure everyone is ready for an exciting adventure over the next 9 days. This meeting will go for approximately 2 hours and the evening will be at your leisure
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Accommodation: Hotel Verge, Launceston
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3: Sunday 20th March 2022
Launceston-Collingwood River-Franklin River
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 round 12:00pm and here we will inflate and load our rafts and have lunch. Before getting on the water the guides will provide a safety briefing and instruction on paddling the raft. Our destination today is the junction of the Franklin and Collingwood rivers or downstream to the Aesthesia Ravine.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Monday 21st March 2022
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. We spend the evening relaxing at our idyllic camp deep in the wilderness. While your guides prepare a hearty evening meal, why not take a cup of tea down to the river to look for the wildlife that comes out at dusk.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Tuesday 22nd March 2022
Rafting the Upper Franklin
Today is a long and beautiful day of rafting, with some interesting paddling and numerous campsites along the riverbanks. The mood of the river depends completely on how much rain has fallen recently. Keep your eye out for the red flowers of climbing heath cascading down the surrounding rock faces. Tonight, we enjoy another feast prepared by your guides, then turn in for a night under the open sky.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Wednesday 23rd March 2022
The Great Ravine
We reach the Great Ravine today and the first major portage at the Churn. There are some challenging sections along the river prior to reaching the Churn. We pass Blushrock Falls, named for the red tinge in the rock. As we paddle look out for a view of Frenchman’s Cap from the river. Your passionate guides will tell you about the Franklin’s famous history, and also intriguing lesser-known tales that have come to them over their years of adventuring on this wild river. Tonight, we camp at Coruscades Camp within the Great Ravine.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Thursday 24th March 2022
The Great Ravine to Rafter's Basin
Today takes us to Deliverance Reach, the end of the Great Ravine, and on to Rafter’s Basin. After breakfast we paddle and portage through Coruscades, Livingstone’s Cut, Thunderush, the Masterpiece and the Cauldron to the Mousehole – a narrow recess with a cat-like boulder overlooking the river. It is only a 2km paddle now from the Mousehole to Rafter’s Basin where we camp for the night by Interlude Creek. The terrain around our camp tonight is somewhat of a prelude of the forecoming Lower Franklin.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Friday 25th March 2022
Propsting Gorge to Newlands Cascades
Depending on the weather today our destination is The Black Forest or Newlands Cascades. Life on the river is extremely dominated by the weather and your guides are adaptable, with a great plan B no matter what mother nature throws down at them... it’s all part of the adventure! Today we paddle through Propsting Gorge and some of the Franklin’s best rapids. After lunch we navigate the longest rapid on the river: Newlands Cascades. We’ll also visit Rock Island Bend. At the bottom of these rapids there is a long, large rock overhang which makes a cosy place to spend the night.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Saturday 26th March 2022
Rafting the Lower Franklin
Greet the morning with a hot drink in hand, watching the sun creep down the sides of the valley towards our camp. Huon Pines and Leatherwood trees drape themselves elegantly along the banks of the river. Listen and look for the birds that flit amongst their branches. The paddling today is relatively straightforward, to Blackman’s Bend through the deep temperate rainforest of the lower river that was protected by the environmental protests of the early 1980s.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Sunday 27th March 2022
The Lower Gordon River
Today our adventure takes us past Double Fall, Big Fall, and Galleon Bluff, which is said to look similar to the sterns of several ships jutting out into the dark water. Shortly after we float under the impressive overhang of Verandah Cliffs. Today we will visit the Lost World and the Kutikina Aboriginal Cave. Our camp tonight is at Sir John Falls on the Gordon River, about 5km downstream of the junction of the Gordon and Franklin. The small wharf in front of our campsite is the perfect place from which to have a swim in the Gordon River, and to look out for white bellied sea eagles, as your guides prepare the final evening meal.
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Accommodation: Camping by River (Tarpaulin)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Monday 28th March 2022
Yacht to Strahan, Transfer to Launceston
This morning you are collected by Stormbreaker yacht and cruise down the length of the river before reaching Macquarie Harbour. Take the chance to kick back on the deck and enjoy the views over the broad expanse of the Gordon River. 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 celebrate with a group farewell dinner this evening.
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Accommodation: Hotel Verge, Launceston
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12: Tuesday 29th March 2022
Departure Day!
Wake up at your leisure after a good night’s sleep in a bed! Breakfast is included this morning and check out will be 11am. Transfers will take you to the airport for your scheduled flight
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Meals Included: Breakfast
Pricing and Inclusions
Your Franklin River Rafting Experience includes:
- 9 Day Fully-Guided Rafting Adventure on the stunning Franklin River
- 3 Nights Accommodation in Launceston (2 nights pre and 1 night post rafting)
- All meals on the river
- Breakfasts in Launceston
- Welcome Group Dinner
- Airport Transfers in Launceston
- Included Rafting Equipment, Wetsuits, Helmet, PFD and Dry Bag
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Pricing Per Person
$4,150pp
Only 2Â spots remaining!
Secure your place with only $800 deposit today!