Negotiate the untamed waters of the Franklin River for five to ten days on one of the worlds best whitewater rafting adventures.
The World Heritage listed Franklin River carves its way through some of the most beautiful, rugged and inaccessible country on earth. On your expedition you will experience surging rapids, tranquil gorges and pristine forests of myrtle, leatherwood and the rare and ancient Huon pine. Platypus, wallabies, quolls (marsupial tiger cats), cormorants, and white breasted sea eagles are often encountered.
Tasmania’s Top Adventure by Lonely Planet
“Tasmania might seem like the ends of the earth, but it’s really the beginning of your adventure. The island state could not have been better designed for lovers of the outdoors…Here’s our pick of Tasmania’s top outdoor adventures.
1. Rafting the Franklin River
Crashing for 125km through steep gorges, the Franklin River, west of Hobart in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is one of Australia’s iconic rivers and a vital part of Tasmanian history. First run by a pair of canoeists in 1958, today fewer than 500 people attempt it each year. Guided rafting trips, such as those with outfitters Water by Nature Tasmania, put in at Collingwood River and finish at Sir John Falls on the Gordon River. In between, expect to be immersed in the wilderness of this World Heritage Area for up to 10 days. Submitting yourself to the whims of wild water and weather is a potentially life-changing experience.”
ON LONELY PLANET – RAFTING THE FRANKLIN RIVER RANKED NUMBER 1 IN “TOP 10 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN TASMANIA”
Get in touch with us
About
Launched in 2003, Water by Nature Tasmania organises professionally guided 5 to 10 day wilderness whitewater rafting expeditions through the rapids and reaches of the iconic Franklin River in South West Tasmania.
We are based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Our guides are professionals with a great passion for the Franklin River. They are chosen for their excellence in wilderness whitewater rafting, culinary, first aid and interpretation skills. Our senior guide Brett has organised whitewater rafting expeditions on the Franklin River every season since 1987 for Wildtrek, Peregrine and from 2003 for Water By Nature Tasmania, Franklin River Rafting and still looks forward to every trip.
Let us share our passion and expertise with you. From quality rafting equipment to fresh, locally sourced culinary treats – your safety, comfort and enjoyment are our priorities. Our small group tours are unparalleled in flexibility and we will do our utmost to cater for your specific needs – departure date and time, duration, dietary requirements, gear hire, fitness etc.
We are looking forward to answering your questions and discussing trip options. Please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime at our office in Sandy Bay!
Groups
We may be able to customise the length and start date of your Franklin River Rafting tour if you have a group of four or more. We can and have run Full River expeditions of 5 to 14 days, Upper River tours of 4 to 8 days and Lower River trips of 3 to 6 days duration.
Please enquire regarding group charters and possible discounts for groups of three or more. Call Brett on +61 408242941 anytime or use our Contact form.
Catering
Let us pamper you with delicious, nutritious exotic and traditional cuisine. Our guides take pride in their cooking skills and go to great lengths to procure fresh Tasmanian produce and provide a varied and interesting menu.
If you have any special dietary requirements or preferences just let us know in advance. We can cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose free and low sodium diets.
Fitness Levels
Franklin River rafting trips are true expedition holidays. There are many rapids, some may require strenuous portages. No previous whitewater rafting experience is necessary, but please be aware that rafting and camping in this untamed and remote wilderness does require at minimum a medium fitness level and a sense of adventure.
The minimum age is 16. We have no maximum age limit. Several people in their seventies have successfully completed Franklin River rafting trips with us.
We were fortunate to paddle the full raftable length of the Franklin River with the very pleasant and fit Herb Elliott, 76 and his family group, over 5 days in November 2014. He said he was a little tired at the end of the trip and felt fine a day later.
Dates and Prices
We offer discounts for groups of three or more on some trips. Please contact us regarding specials and group rates.
Call us on +61 408242941 anytime or use the Contact form below.
The most popular
Full Franklin River Rafting Trips
This trip starts on the Collingwood River which soon joins up with the Franklin River and finishes on the Gordon River at picturesque Sir John Falls.
It usually takes 7 or 8 days to raft the full navigable length of the Franklin River (about 110 km).
On most of the 9 or 10 day trips you can choose to embark on a day walk to the impressive Frenchmans Cap. (NOTE: This walk is highly weather and river level dependent and not a guaranteed part of the trip).
7 Day Full River from $3650
8 Day Full River from $3750
Deposit AUD 200 per person.
Please call us on +61 408242941 to waitlist.
Departures 2023
Sep 30 – Oct 7 (8-day) needs 4 more to confirm
Oct 8-14 (7-day) confirmed
Oct 10-16 (7-day) needs 4 more to confirm
Oct 22-28 (7-day)
Oct 29 – Nov 4 (7-day)
Nov 4-11 (8-day)
Nov 12-18 (7-day) needs 4 more to confirm
Nov 20-27 (8-day)
Nov 25 – Dec 2 (8-day) needs 4 more to confirm
Dec 2-9 (8-day) needs 2 more to confirm
Dec 9-15 (7-day)
Dec 16-23 (8-day)
Dec 27-Jan 3 (8-day) AUD 3950pp
Departures 2024
Jan 4-11 (8-day) needs 4 more to confirm
Jan 6-13 (8-day)
Jan 15-22 (8-day) needs 4 more to confirm
Jan 20-27 (8-day) AUD 3950pp
Mar 8-15 (8-day) AUD 3950pp
Mar 16-23 (8-day)
Mar 20-27 (8-day)
Mar 31 – Apr 6 (7-day Easter) AUD 3850pp
Apr 5-12 (8-day)
Apr 13-20 (8-day)
Apr 20-27 (8-day)
9 Day Full River &
Frenchmans Cap from $4400
10 Day Full River &
Frenchmans Cap from $4700
Deposit AUD 200 per person.
Please call us on +61 408242941 to waitlist.
Departures 2023
Nov 8-17 (10-day)
Nov 21-29 (9-day)
Dec 14-22 (9-day)
Dec 28 – Jan 5 (9-day) AUD 4600pp
Departures 2024
Jan 8-17 (10-day) fully booked
Jan 28 – Feb 5 (9-day)
Feb 1-10 (10-day)
Feb 8-17 (10-day)
Feb 15-24 (10-day)
Feb 22 – Mar 2 (10-day)
Feb 29 – Mar 9 (10-day)
Mar 14-22 (9-day)
Prices subject to change without notice.
Confirmed departures have min. 2 spaces available.
The shorter ones
Upper and Lower Franklin River Trips
We offer 6 or 7 day trips on the upper and middle sections of the Franklin River incl. the optional day walk to Frenchmans Cap. (NOTE: This walk is highly weather and river level dependent and not a guaranteed part of the trip). Starting at the Collingwood River you will finish rafting about 65 km downstream at Mt McCall. An epic 4WD journey takes you to Queenstown and on to Hobart.
Our 5 Day Lower River trip gives you a taste of rafting the Franklin River. 4WD to Mt. McCall and raft Propsting Gorge and the tranquil reaches of the Lower Franklin River to Sir John Falls (about 45km).
7 Day Upper River &
Frenchmans Cap from $3650
6 Day Upper River &
Frenchmans Cap from $3400
Deposit AUD 200 per person.
Please call us on +61 408242941 to waitlist.
Departures 2023
Nov 8-14 (7-day upper)
Nov 21-26 (6-day upper)
Dec 14-19 (6-day upper)
Dec 28 – Jan 2 (6-day upper) AUD 3600pp
Departures 2024
Jan 28 – Feb 2 (6-day upper)
Feb 1-7 (7-day upper)
Feb 8-14 (7-day upper)
Feb 15-21 (7-day upper)
Feb 22-28 (7-day upper)
Feb 29 – Mar 6 (7-day upper)
Mar 14-19 (6-day upper)
Deposit AUD 200 per person.
Please call us on +61 408242941 to waitlist.
Departures 2023
Nov 13-17 (5-day)
Nov 25-29 (5-day)
Dec 18-22 (5-day)
Departures 2024
Jan 1-5 (5-day) AUD 3500pp
Feb 1-5 (5-day)
Feb 6-10 (5-day)
Feb 13-17 (5-day)
Feb 20-24 (5-day)
Feb 27 – Mar 2 (5-day)
Mar 5-9 (5-day)
Mar 18-22 (5-day)
Prices subject to change without notice.
Confirmed departures have min. 2 spaces available
Reviews
Fantastic AdventureWe had a wonderful trip down the Franklin with Water by Nature. Exceptional guides with plenty of experience and really great cooking skills! The river is stunning. Well worth making a booking as the guides would make the trip safe and enjoyable in any conditions.
A wonderful tripTurns out I really like rafting and rapids. I was so well looked after that even though I was a real nervous Nelly, by the end I was asking for more rapids. The scenery is wonderful and being in that remote setting for 10 days is such a special experience, I can’t recommend it enough. I won’t go into details of all the special bits and pieces, you can find that out for yourself.
Like all things that are worth doing it is tough but the rewards are equal to it and you will be well looked after and guided along the way. Just book it, you won’t regret it.
Rafting down the FranklinWhitewater rafting down the legendary franklin river was an amazing experience I would highly recommend, the scenery, nature, wildlife and food was incredible.
The guides were very professional, informative about the history of the river, welcoming, nice and friendly. I had a blast on the 7day tour and would definitely do it again 10/10
AwesomeHey Brett, I want to publicly thank you and your team for the fantastic trip down the Franklin. Your vast experience on the river came to the fore, your incredible culinary skills shone through, the effort you made to make our trip rewarding was utterly inspiring. My experience in that amazing wilderness will be long remembered. Many thanks. Col
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