Navigation: Home >> Reviews >> Tripadvisor Reviews 2011-2015
raft in whitewater at coruscades rapid Franklin RIver Tasmania

Tripadvisor Reviews 2011-2015


Explore more reviews or share your experiences

tripadvisor logo, franklin river white water rafting water by nature tasmania .. Google logo - G .. Facebook, Water by Nature Tasmania, Franklin River Rafting, Whitewater, Wilderness

tripadvisor || Google || facebook


This is a collection of our reviews from before we created our own Tripadvisor page (see link above). We are still in the process of trying to get them moved to our new page. Our reviews are amongst reviews about the Franklin River Nature trail.


Water by Nature – excellent rafting through the wilds of Tasmania
I loved rafting the Franklin so much, I’ve done two trips down the river, both times with Water by Nature. The trip is a wonderful combination of the adrenaline rush of your time in the water and the rapids as well as the time in camp to relax and just enjoy the beauty around you. I live in a big, noisy, polluted city, so I loved being surrounded by green and birdsong in such a pristine part of the world. Falling asleep next to flowing water each night also worked wonders on my psyche. I was thinking as I started my first trip that I would have to give up some creature comforts that I love like coffee every morning, chocolate and a comfortable bed, but I actually had all that on the trip. There were comfy air mattresses to sleep on, and the food was incredible. I can’t believe how well I ate. There wasn’t only coffee and chocolate but also fresh eggs and produce, lamb, steak, guacamole, pasta, cakes and other desserts. Brett, the owner, is also the most experienced guide on the Franklin. It was great to be with someone so knowledgeable about the river and with medical training to boot. I keep pictures of the river at my desk at work and just keep dreaming about going back again.
FarmGirlVagabond wrote a review Jan. 2012


Awesome and Unforgettable Rafting and Wilderness Adventure
I went on the 7 Day Expedition with Water By Nature run by Brett. My two guides, ‘Jim from Scotland’ and Johnno were both very experienced raft guides as well as great cooks. I went in the first week of December which is near the start of the season. I was told that it can be quite cold and wet in Tasmania at this time of the year but in my 7 days on the river we only got a light shower on day 6 and the nights were quite mild. Although this might not always be the case, an advantage of travelling earlier in the season is that the water level is generally higher allowing for less portaging. We were not required to port the raft at all (not guaranteed though as it is really dependent on rainfall in the previous couple of weeks). However, at some rapids which are considered to be too dangerous we were required to exit the rafts and walk around the rapids while the guides used ropes to line the rafts through them.
The Franklin River is an absolutely magnificent place and this was a true wilderness adventure (we encountered no other people, roads or signs of civilisation except for the remains of a helicopter landing pad left behind from the days of the proposed damming). The camping is basic with camp sites containing no facilities but the guides do a great job at making the camping a great experience with cooking ranging from curry and rice, steak and potatoes to bush pizza, all of which tasted great. It might take the ‘not so keen’ camper a day or two to adjust but this for me was an absolutely amazing experience which I will never forget.
The walk to Frenchman’s Cap was also great. The guides generally only recommend attempting the climb on a clear day which can quite often not be the case. We were lucky enough to have a clear day and so set off at 8am for the 10 hr return trip. This is quite a physically demanding trip with a good level of hiking fitness required (We had 3 people sit it out and 5 of us + the 2 guides ascend) but well worth it to reach the highest peak in South-Western Tasmania for a truly amazing view which takes a 5 day return hiking trip to reach from the main road. Having a decent size water bottle for this journey is essential (which was probably not emphasized enough in our initial briefing). Once you leave camp, there are only a few places to fill up on water from little streams coming from the rocks.
One point about the 7 day expedition is the climb out via Mt McCall. This is a challenging climb and is made even more so by the fact you are carrying all your personal gear out. When we reached the top we were met by the 4wd which brings the 5 day triper’s in as well as some additional supplies and takes the 7 day triper’s out but there was no water for us after this challenging trip. I would recommend to anyone doing the 7 day trip that you discuss with Brett in the meeting the day before your trip about organising for there to be some cold water after this challenging climb.
Overall I would highly recommend the 7 day expedition or the 10 day expedition if you are keen to do the extra 3 nights and complete the expedition by yacht to Strahan.

Tim89130 wrote a review Dec. 2011


Water by nature(tasmania) -rafting with this company was great
I did the 7 day trip. Brett and chris were very experienced , knowledgeable and brett’s cooking was great. This river is so old and so beautiful and so pristine. It’s one of the few remaining truely wilderness expierences left Just do it. I’m not a big camper, it was tough, the water was cold, and you are a very long way from a coffee shop. I would suggest some sort of fitness, some of the climbs out of the river and the portages ar’nt easy. But i’ts one of the best things i’ve done. Hugh.
hughtravel wrote a review Mar. 2011


Franklin River rafting Tasmania
Rafting the Franklin for 7 days in April 2012 exceeded all the expectations of my wife and I. We went with Water By Nature, led by Brett who was great. Absolute wilderness, absolute beauty, wild but not out of control, thanks to some remarkable guides. It was more extreme than we expected in that once you enter the river there is only one time you can get out – and that is at end of Day One with a considerable hike. Otherwise you are going the full 120 kilomteres by water. Everybody has to lift boats over rocks and at times climb around impassable rapids – which means up quite steep gorges with hardly discernible tracks. But all manageable. We are aged 56 and 60 from Sydney. I have some white water experience but my wife had none as did most of the others in the group. She had also done no real outdoors activity and is moderatley fit given an urban lifestyle. So most people can manage. Accommodation was sleeping under rock overhangs, in caves and tents – with supplied Lilo. All comfortable. James, Elias and Jarrah (all aged 30) were exceptional guides, very knowledgable, very safety concious, great cooks and good fun. The rafting was world class (up there with the Zambesi). We had quite a bit of rain – to be expected it seems – so rapids Grade 3/4 and plenty of them. We lost a few over the side a few times and one raft flipped on a rapid in our group as well as the other group. Only one in our party did not get a swim. We had 5 rafts all up but broke in to two groups so our group was 5 clients and 3 guides in two rafts. We were all aged in our 50’s and we laughed all the way down the river. There is no room for being precious. The other group was 25 to 40 years with a mix of nationalities. Small waterproof cameras recommended – stunning scenery but little time for setting up shots. We were last trip of year – April – getting cold. Not on their list but neoprene socks are a good investment. Otherwise the list supplied is all you need. You live in the day clothes (wet) and night clothes (dry) so just 2 sets of clothes. Extra thermal set and pair socks a good idea. Summary: my wife says it was an empowering experience, proving what she/we can get out and do in the world. Brett has been doing this trip for 25 years and knows the river backwards. Friendly and competent. Elias and James are world class (they do guide all over the world). We all took ‘the boys’ out to dinner at the end to thank them for doing such a great job.
Christopher B wrote a review Apr. 2012


raft the franklin river with confidence
Over Easter, I was deciding whether to learn how to mountaineer in New Zealand, rock climb in Thailand or raft the Franklin River in Tasmania. What won it for me in the end was the idea of experiencing the impetus for Australia’s first environmental movement on a 7-day guided rafting expedition. Be forewarned, like any other outdoor adventure you are at the mercy of weather and I’ve been told you can have sunny days on the river but on my recent trip (April 6-12, 2012), it rained a lot! And I don’t remember having seen the sun but on the first day and at the end of the trip.
All this rain meant that the river flooded and became too dangerous to raft. We were stuck at camp for two days and would have been stranded for an extra day if it was not for our Water by Nature guides Brett and Robin who used their years of experience to guide us through safely in the difficult conditions. Another group from a different rafting company was stranded at the same campsite for an extra day because they were unable to navigate the river at high flow.
The trip can be as demanding as you want it to be. Don’t forget you’re on the river to travel the 112km in a week. The portaging (moving the boats over rocks and the gear through rainforest trails) and paddling can be hard work but that’s what makes the experience.
The hard days are rewarded with a gourmet feast and if you appreciate food, you will not be disappointed. I was amazed at how our guides were able to fashion a pizza, tiramisu and blueberry cheesecake on a one-stover burner. Make sure you request for the guacamole!
My advice to you if you do this trip is have an awesome time but be prepared to be wet out of the water as well, so pack appropriately. Just a word of note, the rapids run up to level IVs which starts to get a bit hectic and flips or overboards can happen, oh and the remoteness can get quite full-on for some.
But don’t let that turn put you off. The people you meet on the trip make it and I was fortunate to meet a wonderful bunch of other Australians and international visitors who like me wanted to experience the beauty of our very own Franklin River.

Would do it again in a heart, most definitely.

cacarluen wrote a review Apr. 2012


Franklin River rafting
My son joined me for the 10 day ‘er with WxN, March 2012. Absolutely Awesome journey! For some the the ‘thrills and spills’ of whitewater rafting may be the primary motivator for completing this trip – and there’s plenty to get the adrenalin flowing! For me it was akin to a ‘spiritual’ journey -an opportunity to reflect and enjoy this mighty river, wrestled from those who would have chosen to destroy it some thirty years previous. Huge thanks to Brett, and our guides Elias and Francie for providing that opportunity – their knowledge, skills and experience are priceless. As for the camp tucker – gourmet! Can’t wait to take the grandsons! But then, might just have to experience it all again by then. How blessed are we that the Franklin flows free?!!
Martin A wrote a review Jun. 2012


Franklin River Rafting with Brett: No one better and safer
Just returned from my third Franklin River rafting trip with Brett/Water by Nature. An adventure of a lifetime and great food to boot! Brett (‘the chef”) has rafted the river more than 200 times and probably more than any human being ever. Brett is super human in his knowledge of the river and its moods. It is a dangerous and beautiful river but with Brett I always feel I am in safe hands (I would be wary of other operators with less experience of the river).

So do the trip (either upper half or lower half – I have done both, or the full trip) and you will never regret it. It is equal to my trips around the remote Kimberley and amongst the wildlife in the Okavango Delta in Africa.

Auseurofoodie wrote a review Dec. 2012


Water by Nature Franklin River rafting
I rafted the Franklin River in March 2013 with Water by Nature. Our guides were Brett and Klaudia who were fantastic in all respects.They were knowledgeable, cautious but optimistic, and very patient. I grew up in Tassie and knew about the demise of Lake Pedder. The Franklin Dam Blockade in 1983 had been a formative part of my life. To finally see the river and its surrounds in almost pristine condition (there are still some HEC installations to remind you how different it could have been) with my sister, in my 50th year celebration, was wonderful. We were lucky enough to have rain prior to our trip which eased our way down the river. ‘Atmospheric’ rain continued on and off in the beginning, but it made the trees sparkle, and the rainbows beautiful. Our walk up Frenchmans Cap was an added bonus. We walked up in the afternoon, spent the night at Tahune Hut, and then walked up to the summit by torch light for the dawn. The peaks were visible above an ocean of cloud. It was stunning. The Great Ravine is everything you have read and more. The rapids came with reputations, and were very loud within the canyon walls. Each one was assessed and then negotiated in a variety of ways – all of us, Brett alone, lined through or portaged. The rocks could be pretty slippery and I would reinforce the purchase of the recommended Dunlop Volleys. We were lucky enough to spend two days at a lovely campsite waiting to collect others from the Mt McCall track. The lower Franklin with its caves, beaches and rock formations continued all the way to the Gordon River. The trip was a continuous food fest – nutritious, plentiful and yummy. Prawns, fresh greens right to the end, pancakes – we were amazed what could be produced with a frypan. I had never slept under cave overhangs before or slept on beaches under the stars. To be rafting and in such a remote area would not have been possible for me without the expert guidance of Water by Nature and I would recommend this trip with this company to anyone who is reasonably fit and nimble.
Polly A wrote a review Apr. 2013


Water By Nature…Franklin River White Water Rafting Trip
Brett from Water By Nature leads an extremely safe and knowledgable trip on the mighty Franklin River which is to be expected I guess, seeing he’s rafted it over 200 times (I have heard him called the Godfather of the river although this quietly spoken, gentle man, probably wouldn’t like this title).
If you like a challenge – and you will be personally challenged in some way during your trip – this is a great combination of adventure, physical exercise, simpleness, camping and the resting of the mind, in the ultimate pristine environment. I highly recommended this trip but come prepared – this is nature’s Hilton, not Paris Hilton. Depending on river water levels things can be physical, you may have to lift kit bags around slippery rocks or on lower levels, carry rafts over river logs…it’s all part of the fun and experience. I can’t stress enough to pack the correct gear, preparing also for cold cold days if at the end of a season and it’s raining. This is a trip you will talk about for many years to come.

CathyFinch wrote a review Apr. 2013


The Franklin with Water by Nature
I joined 9 other clients for an adventure expedition rafting down the Franklin. A true wild river in the beautiful and remote Tasmanian wilderness. We did the 7 day full river trip with medium water flows in mid Jan 2013 with fantastic weather. The keen members climbed Frenchman’s Cap with 360 degree awesome views. The rafting equipment was excellent and very robust. I also had great fun in the inflatable kayak on selected rapids. Our guides Brett and Robbie were very professional with unbelievable knowledge and experience of the river. Some of the white water was big, very big, and,while it is impossible to eliminate risk, I felt as safe as nature would allow with this tour company and would recommend them highly. Great fresh wholesome food was a real bonus. 4 courses most nights, for example brie, scallops, eye fillet and tiramisu.
I tested out a Sony Action Cam for the first time on the trip. It was very good and very waterproof with fantastic HD memories. My advice would be to test it out first to get the angle right because I have far too much footage of trees and sky. It is optional to bring your own tent. I will very seriously consider this next time. I had wanted to do this trip for 30 years and it lived up to all my expectations.

Michael H wrote a review Feb. 2013


Lifetime Experience
I did the 10 day version of the full river trip which Roger A did, leaving Hobart at the same time as Roger with Water by Nature (Brett Fernon). Our guides, Morgen and Alayne, couldn’t have been more professional, friendly, judicious and helpful. Difficult portages were managed with skill and care. Both guides had a excellent knowledge of the river and provided an interesting and informative commentary along the way. They cooked wonderful and plentiful meals every day. The rafts and all the equipment provided were in excellent condition. The yacht cruise down the Gordon River and Macquarie Harbour on the final day was the perfect way to end the trip. I’d definitely do it again and most certainly with Brett’s company.
Peter B wrote a review Jan. 2013


Pristine Wilderness Rafting Trip
Two mates and myself did the 7 day Express (full river) Franklin River rafting trip with ‘Water by Nature’ from December 27-Jan 2 (2013). Brett, the eclectic lead guide and expert/imaginative chef, knows the river intimately. While his crew communication skills are occasionally a bit lacking he sub-consciously knows the best lines through a rapid and is conservative in his risk taking re run or portage. The rafts we used were a bit long in the tooth but to be fair Brett has had replacements on order for a year but had been messed around re delivery from the Chinese manufacturer. The food was superb and the scenery pristine and unique. This is the third time I’ve done the Franklin albeit the other times were ~20 and ~40 years ago and the scenery is still superb although the drizzly Tassie weather is an ever present feature. The physical challenge is something to be aware of although the guides (Brett and Robin) accommodated lesser capabilities to a significant degree. I’d have no hesitation in doing ‘Water by Nature’ on the Franklin again any time.
Roger A wrote a review Jan. 2013


Water by Nature
In January this year my brother and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to experience this truly inspiring wilderness with the godfather of the river and his exceptional team.

Having grown up in Tassie and experienced so much of what this beautiful island has to offer for those who love the wilderness it has been on the cards for many years to tackle this big one. We have both travelled the world on adventures and worked as guides in one capacity or another and the consensus is that this trip with this crew was up there with the best.

The deep knowledge of the guides help make the experience on and off (sometimes in) the Franklin River exhilaratingly tranquil. While there are inherent dangers in the activity and being wet cold and exhausted par for the course, ending each day with delicious food and good company made it special. The chance to recap on the highs and lows, while in the most remarkable camping spots, knowing that there were others tackling the river in other groups who weren’t so fortunate made us aware that we had made the right call to join the Water by Nature team.

Happy paddling.

Chris O wrote a review Jun. 2013


“Water By Nature”: Fabulous
I have just returned from a rafting trip on the Franklin River for 4/5 days from the 10th January. I have no hesitation in raving about the experience. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, having only done day rafting before in other countries. Our guides were Jim and Jono who were a great team. They could read the river and obviously loved their work! I also stupidly left my camera at a lunch spot and they unhesitatingly returned upriver to retrieve it. The biggest surprise of all was the food. They were excellent cooks and I returned 2 kilos heavier; not what I expected. The whole experience will be logged as one of the best holidays I’ve had. Though reasonable fitness is essential and my quads have only just recovered from the descent from the MCall track to the river (where we started). Finally, the journey to the river from Hobart (via Queenstown) and the return on the Stormbreaker via Strahan was also pretty fab. The only downside was a mix up/delay with retrieving our bags at the end – which seemed to be a communication problem between Water By Nature and the bus company who transported us…but really. I am already planning on returning in a year or 2 with my now 8 year old daughter.
Sarah H wrote a review Jan. 2014


“Water By Nature” is a top experience with superb guides
Have just spent Christmas and New Year on a 7 day Franklin River trip with Brett and Claudia from Water By Nature. Without doubt an absolutely fabulous trip. Both Brett and Claudia worked tirelessly to ensure both our safety and comfort. These two wonderful people are not just great guides but know a thing or two about bush cooking. What delights they produced had to be seen to be believed.
Malcolm P wrote a review Jan. 2014


Water by Nature – Upper Franklin Expedition
I just completed the 7 day Upper Franklin River expedition with a couple of friends journeying with Brett Fernon’s Water by Nature Tasmania.
This is the second time I have rafted the river – see my review from January 2013 below. On both occasions, I went with Water by Nature and I would do it all again. On both my expeditions with Water by Nature, Brett ensured that our guides were none other than the very best.
With Jim and Rob, we navigated the river with competence, in safety and with much mirth. The portages were handled carefully and without drama. Jim has an adventure company in Scotland known as Ace Adventures and Rob has represented Australia in world championships in white water rafting. So we were in good hands! Jim constantly prepared great meals and took care to ensure that those of us with sensitive stomachs were nourished thoughtfully.

The trek to Frenchmans Cap and back was a real privilege afforded to us in good weather. Unlike Ben C, I reached the first peak alone, but that in itself was a treat enough. I bought 5.10 Canyoneers and can’t recommend them highly enough. They made all the difference to my enjoyment of the river. For those of you in NSW, you can buy them from Summit Gear in Katoomba. If you are thinking of rafting the Franklin, check out Brett’s website and give him a call. Known as the Godfather of the River, he’s a lovely guy and is the most experienced man on the river.

Hope this helps,
Peter

Peter B wrote a review Dec. 2013


Fantastic Upper Franklin rafting with Water by Nature
I’ve recently returned to Melbourne after one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Two friends and I rafted the upper Franklin River with Water by Nature – I’d highly recommend Water by Nature for this trip. Our guides, Jim C. and Rob J. were knowledgable, friendly and, most importantly, extraordinarily competent at navigating the exhilarating and, at times, nail biting environment (Jim, Rob – thanks!).

We were a small and perhaps underpowered crew but were able to run the amazing rapids with confidence. The River itself is a gorgeous place – rough, rugged and untouched (nb: and you keep it that way – be prepared to primitive ablutions and taking everything out with you. I mean everything…) The excitement of the rapids and the truly awesome environment as well as being completely removed from the rest of the world combines to create a magnificent trip.

The “walk” up to Frenchman’s Cap on the trip was a highlight for me. If you take this trip be aware that if you’re not used to walking, this is relatively strenuous side trip. Technical portages were difficult, challenging and in the end fun. Coming out of the boat a couple of times along the way added a certain piquancy to the experience! Be prepared for exhaustion, fear, thrills and the unassailable enjoyment of being in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and completing a challenging series of activities.

Make sure you follow the gear recommendations – shoes are really important! Go with the Dunlop Volleys or the 5.10 Canyoneers. You don’t want to slip of the Slimy Rocks of Doom into the Raging Torrent of Death…. Again, I would highly recommend Brett and the Water by Nature team. If you’re going to take a ride along the ditch, get in touch with them.

Cheers B

Ben C wrote a review Dec. 2013


The mighty Franklin River guided by the ‘Water By Nature’ Team.
Exploring the mighty Franklin River was an incredible and unforgettable experience with the Water By Nature Team – led by Jim Davis and Rob Jimmieson and I wish I was still out there lost in all its beauty. Jim and Rob shared their knowledge and love of the river with us through-out our entire journey. Also, Jim’s culinary skills completely blew me away as every meal was prepared with the freshest of local produce – herbs and spices too! I have fallen in love with the Franklin and will be forever grateful for the experiences and challenges that it offered me.
KC0llins13 wrote a review Dec. 2013


White water rafting with WBN
Just do it. Franklin river is truely amazing and Brett,Claudia,Jim and Johno are the best of the best .A rafting trip you won’t forget. My son and I did the 7day on Jan 4 – 11 the weather was cold and rainy for 2 days made the rapids exciting then beautiful sunshine wonderful time .Food was fantastic all great cooks.
suzanne-olive wrote a review Jan. 2014


A great way to experience Tasmania’s wilderness!
The seven day full river Franklin Rafting trip with “Water by Nature” is an adventurous way to explore this remote area. Thanks to Brett and Klaudia you can’t get rid of the feeling that you stay in a five star hotel under the open sky. They offer a variety of good meals and snacks. The Franklin River changes its face during the trip a lot, from a raging torrent to a calm river. Nevertheless there are always things to do, like exploring caves or nearby waterfalls. From the sixth day on we could raft in the Inflatable Kayak which meant a lot of fun! Our camps were located next to the river and sleeping under the stars is an unforgettable experience. The beauty of the landscape is breathtaking all the way down the river. The good weather (around 30 degrees every day) allowed us to fly out by seaplane a nice way to farewell the Franklin. For the first time you realise how remote the area really is. To round off the trip the whole group met for dinner in a local restaurant in Hobart. I highly recommend the trip, it’s guaranteed that you’ll leave with unforgettable memories.
uf_u_dervo wrote a review Jan. 2014


Fantastic experience!
We did the 5 day rafting trip down the Franklin River with Water by Nature leaving Hobart on 1 Janaury 2014. Unseasonally the weather turned cold and conditions were more like what would be experienced in October, however, we had come prepared with all the right gear. It is an awesome experience which is very physical, challenging, exilarating, scary at times and provides much adrenalin. Our guides Robin and Morgan where extremely experienced and knew every twist and turn the river took. We were also given local knowledge and history about the wilderness, the Franklin and the Gordon Rivers. We experienced a rapidly rising river as we had rain overnight during out stay. This made for good rafting conditions but poor overnight conditions, however, manage we did. The overnight camping on the side of the river is an amazing experience. The first night we stayed on a rock lodge under a rock overhang, the second night on a crushed rock island which jutted into the river where we experienced a wild and woolly night and the third night we stayed at the very beautiful St Johns Falls. On the final morning we were met by the yacht Stormbreaker which sailed us down the Gordon River into Macquarie Harbour and back to Strachan. All meals were provided on the trip and were excellent, tasty, nutricous and varied. All the gear is provided but take plenty of thermals, a warm sleeping bag and warm clothing for night time. It was definitely a wow experience!
jashmawa wrote a review Jan. 2014


Water by Nature
My wife and I are not young people and have never slept in caves with glow worms, under the stars or under rock overhangs. The idea was to voluntarily take ourselves out of our comfort zone and enjoy ourselves.
This was truly an experience of a life-time which has enriched our lives and make us realise how precious the beauty of the Franklin River is.
Being with Brett and Klaudia was fantastic and we felt priviledged that albeit a commercial venture were generous enough to share their worlld with us,
It was tough going, but it builds character and it is and experience that we will be able to tell our friends and family about for years to come.

Stephen D wrote a review Jan. 2014


wild bliss on the Franklin.
whoah, wow, its been a little while now since i went down “the Ditch” (lol) with water by nature and i’m still revelling in delightful flashbacks of ancient greens, rush and bubble and tumble and wild escape. A 7 day escape was a perfect length of trip, long enough to truly feel like i had been somewhere, gone somewhere. Very satisfying. Brett and Claudia were reassuring, and entertaining guides. Good fun, good food,good banter, a memorable journey on an amazing river. totally recommended. many thanks!
david j wrote a review Jan. 2014


Water By Nature 10 day Franklin- brilliant!
Just returned from one of the best trips of my life- ten days whitewater rafting the Franklin with Water By Nature. Brett and Klaudia were perfect hosts-incredible knowledge of the river and conditions, amazing food- we were safe, comfortable and enthralled by the natural beauty of the wild river throughout. Most highly recommended.
711MarionD wrote a review Feb. 2014


Water by Nature
Prior to the trip Stacy was wondering anxiously about three things – big rapids, toilet arrangements and being too cold. Ken was simply excited. Stacy’s concerns were rapidly dispelled. Brett and Klaudia’s expertise with the high tech rafts made the rapids just heaps of action packed fun. The toileting setup was ingenious. The wet suits and neoprene socks (the latter available cheaply at the briefing meeting) made us very comfortable despite several days of rain. The guides knowledge and obvious love of the river made for a wonderful trip – the river and scenery are simply stunning. The food was also a highlight. We find ourselves enthusiastically recommending the trip with Water by Nature to all our friends. A truly memorable experience!!

Water by Nature

stacy796 wrote a review Feb. 2014


Water by Nature and The Mighty Franklin
I chose this company because of the wealth of experience by trip leader Brett. I had zero prior experience of white water rafting and was bringing along my 16 year old daughter so wanted a reputable, capable team. After his decades of travelling the length of the Franklin River Brett still shows a very healthy respect for this wild river, never under estimating and always expecting the unexpected. With his calm, quiet , lay back style I felt reassured that what could be controlled in this wild environment was, even though at times the ride was a literally wild, white knuckle experience, which by the way was exactly what I was after. Off the river my belly was constantly filled with the most amazing food conjured up by Brett and Klaudia on two small gas cookers. I was fascinated by what came out of the kitchen each night – garlic prawns, fillet steak, it never ceased to amaze me. At night I was comfortable and warm. The Franklin is unbelievably beautiful – this trip will remain one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Pip S wrote a review Feb. 2014


Water by Nature Franklin River Rafting An incredible way to visit this unique place
The Franklin River is such an important part of our political and environmental history that the chance to visit this remarkable place was something I had hoped to do for years. A friend’s invitation to join him on a commercial rafting trip was quickly accepted.
I knew it would be demanding but I knew that if you wanted to see the Franklin, rafting was the way to go.
In the end I did find it physically and mentally tough but I was fortunate that my friend had chosen to go with a master river guide.
Brett from Water by Nature displayed his mastery throughout our 7 days rafting from the upper Franklin right through to our last night on the Gordon at Sir John Falls.
Time after time rapid after rapid Brett would strategically plan our way through each challenge so that the fun was maxed and the risk and pain was minimised. Still demanding but from the get go Brett displayed a calm competence that engendered confidence. I felt I was in good hands throughout.
What was remarkable was not only was Brett good on the river but with his partner Klaudia could spin out delicious high class taste tempting meals and morsels day in day out. An impressive feat after a day of heavy rafting. Clearly they have their efficiencies and routines well worked out.
For me it was an awe inspiring experience and I am very appreciative of the relentless campaigning by Bob Brown and his supporters back in the 1980’s right through to now. It is patently obvious that this naturally sculpted Japanese like water garden would have been obliterated without the vision and the persistence of the campaigners.
Everybody deserves to experience the Franklin, it reassures you that Nature is awesome and warrants our lifelong support.
Brett and Klaudia are a very competent very experienced safe pair of hands who need a better website to promote the extraordinary experience they provide.
Thanks Scott

Ithaca1 wrote a review May 2014


Water by Nature Rafting the Franklin
It was Remote, it was Rugged, it was Risky, it was RAW. The 7 days rafting the Franklin ripped me from my comfort zone and threw me to my edge. I spent 6 days water logged, ate like a king, paddled my butt off and mastered the art of the freezer bag drop. I feel privileged to have experienced 7 days of naturl beauty and isolation in this world heritage listed wilderness and am indebted to Brett and Klaudie for sacrificing an easy, low risk life to take me there and look after me. I was a member of a great team of 7 others apart from the 2 guides and we had such a fun time. Lastly, thank you Dr Bob Brown for your untiring commitment to keeping the Franklin as Mother Earth intends it to be.
John O wrote a review Apr. 2014


Water By Nature–Adventure Plus
We enjoyed our rafting trip on the lower Franklin so much in 2009 that we went back for the 7 day full river trip in January 2014. The scenery is unbelievable. Newland’s Cascades camp site is my favourite place in the world. The only way to get out into this wilderness World Heritage area is by water and the best way to do it is with the experience of Brett and WxN. The trip is not for the feint hearted. Camping on a river bank and rock hopping is not for everyone but the adversity is more than made up for by Brett’s fantastic meals and expertise and the knowledge that you are in safe hands. We were in Klaudia’s raft and apart from a few exhilarating spills she guided us safely home. It rained on several days on both trips but that did not detract from this amazing experience.
Doug S wrote a review Mar. 2014


Rafting with Water By Nature
I rafted the Franklin river for 7 days in late December to early January this year with Water By Nature. It’s the only rafting I’ve done. It was tough, easy, challenging, beautiful and very, very rewarding. The food continually amazed me; plenty, varied and delicious – all in the middle of a remote river – thank you, Brett for your thoughtful menu and generous cooking.
And thank you to each of the three licensed guides who looked after us with attentive, careful eyes and supported us with each paddle. I grew to trust the guides and know they had our welfare at the heart of their work. I feel rich to have been given the opportunity to ‘purge’ my body and spirit of ‘civilization’ with Water by Nature and to be back in town with good spirits and energy.

Try it, and, if you do, make sure you try it with Water By Nature, M

MichaelMobbs wrote a review Jan. 2015


“Water by Nature rafting”
I recently completed a 7 day tour with Brett and his team from Water by Nature. They are passionate about the river, rafting and as it turns out fabulous food! If you want to see the Franklin, this is the only way to do it and I have to say it is just a delightful place. To see the river quiet or feisty is a privilege. Tackling the Franklin is no easy thing. It’s not just about the rafting. Depending on river levels and how dangerous the rapids are, there will be some hiking, climbing and abseiling by rope and carrying of luggage over boulders and rocks that can be slippery and wet. For me, this was far harder than the rafting. However everyone on the trip supported each each other. For many of my fellow travellers, this aspect was easy as they are regular hikers. At times you will be soaking wet and cold, but it is part of being on the Franklin. Also where else can you drink the water directly from the river as it is so clean!
If 7 days is too long they do shorter tours and the 3 day lower Franklin would be a great trip for anyone who wanted a less physical but beautiful tour of the river. Brett provides exceptional food. I can’t believe what he can muster up. New Years Eve he got up early cooked a roast and provided several courses with champagne that night. Most nights he cooked several courses including for one rafter, gluten free. I want to thank Brett and his team for their passion, love of the river and hard work they put into the making the trip so safe and enjoyable. The franklin river and Tasmanian weather is unpredictable, so every trip will be different. You need to be flexible and just take the week as it surprises you. If the weather is bad there is a slim chance you may not get back on time. It’s a rare occurrence but I think it is worth mentioning.

I’d recommend Water by Nature without hesitation. Kylie

ScienceKylie wrote a review Jan. 2015


Wilderness and Adrenalin on the Franklin river
Well that’s in the top 10 things of my life I have done and unlikely to get kicked out.
A 40th birthday present for my gorgeous girlfriend Alexandra.
Breath taking beauty, adrenalin, friendship, just jaw dropping to share.
Many thanks to our guides Brett and Klaudia who had every aspect covered.
Food was amazing given all our supplied for 7 days had to be taken with us!
Brett’s respect for the river and our safety was paramount.
Any adventure such as this has a dangerous element, Brett’s cautious approach kept us all safe and sound to return to our loved ones with stories of beauty and excitement.
We thank also our adventurous fellow travellers Bob and Anne in their 60’s for sharing our raft.

Mark N wrote a review Nov. 2014


Water by Nature 7 day Frankin River rafting trip
Loved this trip. Amazing place. Well organised, catered, uber professional. My son (17) and I did this as our first big bush/wild-country adventure together and great trip for building stronger bonds and relationships. My son took some convincing to go btw, but ended up being totally blown away by the wild majesty and grandeur and adventure of the trip (as I had hoped he would) . Water By Nature (‘WBN’) and guides Brett and Klaudia were great across the board, not least for their great sense of how to engage the different characters, backgrounds and ages on the trip. While they exuded an easy professional vibe and overlay, affording us plenty of opportunity for swimming, exploring, and as much extra river activity as you fancied, it was evident (even more I had expected) that the trip was clearly meticulously planned and all contingencies prepared for. The guides’ river navigation, raft movements and negotiation of big rapids and obstacles made it all look easy (ish…). Some parts of the river and great gorge look (through wide bulging eyes…) initially unpassable, yet our passage through paddling, lining or portaging made magic happen. ‘Wallah!’ what were we worried about.? I developed a growing awareness that the trip could have been much different, without really professional, experienced and mature guides – I think I heard Brett say he had done more than 200+ descents and had seen the river in every state and level imaginable. Mind boggling stuff to hear him casually point out a mark up a cliff wall and say, “yeh the water was up to there, and we had to do such and such”. The wilderness and wild aspects of the trip were continually mind-boggling – but these were topped off several times a day by almost unbelievably restaurant ( I kid you not) quality food and culinary treats and the odd wine and beer if you fancied, as you tried to take in the river and the surrounds from some great vantage point on a beach or a rock overlooking the river. Off the river at both ends: the pre-briefing, link and pick up in Hobart and trip back out from the river – in our case flying out from the lower Gordon – was great fun, well oiled, low hassle and otherwise flawless. Likewise WBN/Brett’s offer and ongoing post-trip intel, advice – and his transport help – with us getting around to see the sights in Hobart after the trip for the next couple of days, including a trip to MONA. Was hard to leave Tassie with this kind of scenery and friendliness. – Al Sweetman
Al S
 wrote a review Aug. 2014


Water by Nature Franklin River Rafting, 7 day trip
My experience rafting on the Franklin River with Water by Nature Tasmania totally exceeded my expectations. Aside from the amazing rafting the guides made sure we were all well catered for and looked after with food and other comforts. I was impressed by the amount, thought and care that had obviously gone into the menu. When the guides whipped up Tasmanian scollops and juicy steaks on day 5 I was stoked. Being gluten intolerant I was a little worried about catering but nothing was ever too much trouble for the guides who made sure every meal had fantastic gluten free options. The guides Bret and Klaudia were always happy to help and made sure that the whole trip ran smoothly even with the continually changing weather and river conditions. They provided us with all the equipment including amazing waterproof bags to put all our clothes in and super comfy beds. The camps were so beautiful and I instantly felt like we were in the wilderness with just the sound of the river to put you to sleep. This was by far one of the most beautiful and enjoyable trips I have ever been on. To be able to experience such a beautiful and sacred part of Tasmania with great guides and people just made the trip unbelievable. Cheers to Bret and Klaudia for their expertise and for making it a fabulous trip.
Megs-Hawley wrote a review Jun. 2014


Water by Nature Franklin River
We have just completed an exceptional trip with Brett and Klaudia from Water by Nature. Just a wonderful experience. A group of 10 young men , well in mind,50 to 73 years. The food, the scenery the wilderness the river the camp site and those special side trips made this a 10 out of 10 for me. I had to pass up my annual powder trip to Japan, for this trip and I was not disappointed. Yes you are pushed out of your comfort zone from time to time , but the rewards are tenfold. Its wilderness at it best, yet somehow each evening Brett and Klaudia continue to serve up exotic food, the best of both worlds.
16JackP2015 wrote a review Feb. 2015


Water by Nature Tasmania
If you are thinking about a bucket list trip that only a very lucky few get to experience then rafting the Franklin ticks all the boxes. There are several companies who raft the Franklin. As an older traveler but aspirations of a young adventurer safety was an important consideration for me. Rafting with Brett and his team at Water by Nature Tasmania exceeded all my expectations. They were professional, well organised and we all felt safe, secure and well supported at all times. Safety was their priority. They also managed to serve fresh delicious food and share their knowledge of the river gained over many years. As we paddled we saw unforgettable scenery, we saw a platypus on the river and and quoll ran about in one of our camp sites. None of this would have been possible without the exceptional skills of Brett and his team. If you are planning a trip on the Franklin book with Water by Nature Tasmania. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Vicki190 wrote a review Feb. 2015


Exhilarating, beautiful, gourmet food, excellent river guides
My dream was to raft the Franklin before I turned 50, but instead I managed to go with my wife a three adult children . We completed the 7 day full Franklin river tour under the expert guidance of Brett and Klaudia. They got us safely down the river and served up amazing food. We were helped by a nice rain event the night before departure to raise the water levels for the initial upper Franklin and then reached Newlands for a rest day which coincided with a huge dump that raised the river 3 meters and flushed us along the lower Franklin for the last two days. The gear we were provided with was excellent (wetsuits, spray jacket, helmet, lilo and dry bag) and it was good to have only a few items for camping. The rafts were amazing – they withstood the sharp rocks without puncturing and despite a capsize, no gear was lost or got wet. One of my daughters freaked out when the raft capsized and she came up underneath the raft, but she grabbed a breath from the air bubble underneath the raft and managed to swim safely out. The guides were extremely knowledgeable about the river despite its changing levels and hazards and took great care which rapids could be safely paddled over. We had to walk around a few and this involved some rock scrambling and climbing, so you need good soles for grip on your wet shoes. The campsites varied depending on the river level and we slept in the open apart from Newlands where the rock overhang sheltered us from the rain. If you needed a tarp or tent, it would need to squeeze in between trees as there were few large open flat areas. We stopped to explore wonderful secrets like waterfalls, caves and canyons along the way. Brett has a dry sense of humour which suits river guiding!
John E wrote a review Jan. 2015


Amazing Journey down the Franklin River
The seven-day journey organised by Water by Nature down the Franklin River must rank among one of the greatest adventure trips in Tasmania, if not in the world: just imagine – being immersed for seven days in this awesome wilderness, with nothing but the water, rocks, forest, sky and sun being of importance. The rafts and equipment were first class, and both guides highly skilled, knowledgeable and worked incredibly hard to make this a most memorable and safe journey. Food was amazing, fresh every day (no dehydrated stuff!!), delicious (imagine garlic scallops as an entree with one of the meals!!) with wine being served with every meal! A truly remarkable, unforgettable journey!
Henro09 wrote a review Jan. 2015


Fun and adventure on the Franklin
We absolutely loved our 8-day Franklin River trip in January 2018 with Water by Nature Tasmania. The river and surrounding wilderness is breathtaking. We felt lucky everyday just to be in such a special place. Our guides Scotty and Angelo were fantastic – they had a perfect mix of safety, knowledge, organisation and fun, and were top camp cooks. They really made our trip awesome – thank you lads!

To anyone thinking of doing this trip, do it! It is a truly amazing experience. Go prepared for a week of incredible campsites, the most amazing starry skies you’ve ever seen, good old hard yakka and repeated surges of adrenaline! The sense of achievement at the end makes all the paddling worthwhile :)

BombaGryph wrote a review Mar. 2018


aaaahh…mazing!
this was a beautifully wild, adventurous experience! simply put, one of the best experiences of my life. the river is unimaginably gorgeous. every turn will make your jaw drop at the sheer magnitude of such a remote, untamed wilderness. the rapids and drops will take your breath away with excitement. the guides (brett, claudia, sam, & jed) were super fun, experienced, and down to earth. the food was unreal. even with my dietary needs they accomodated me flawlessly and I was never hungry. in fact I couldn’t get enough! the river will give you a rush you won’t soon forget! I cannot think of anyone else I would have rather done this journey with. blessings. thank you!
chelsey c wrote a review Mar. 2019


Scroll to Top