Water by Nature Tasmania

Wilderness whitewater rafting expeditions.

The Franklin River in South West Tasmania carves its way through some of the most beautiful, rugged and inaccessible country in the world. Its significance was recognized in 1982 when it was listed as a World Heritage Area.

Negotiating the untamed waters of the Franklin river is one of the worlds true adventures.On your expedition you will experience surging rapids, tranquil gorges and pristine temperate rainforests of myrtle, leatherwood and the ancient huon pine. Native wildlife like platypus, wallabies, quolls (marsupial tiger cats), cormorants and white breasted sea eagles are often encountered.

Water by Nature Tasmania offers a 7 and 10 day expedition, rafting the full navigable length of the river, a 7 day expedition on the upper Franklin and a 5 day tour on the lower Franklin. Our 7 day upper and 10 day tours include an optional day walk to the imposing Frenchman’s Cap (1443 m), as well as rafting through the Great Ravine, one of Tasmania’s deepest and most impressive gorges. On the five and ten day departures you will enjoy a spectacular seaplane flight or yacht cruise to Strahan and coach to Hobart (flights to Hobart directly from the Gordon River by arrangement).

Our guides have a great passion for the Franklin River and are professionals in wilderness rafting, camp-craft, first aid and environmental interpretation. Our senior guide has been running commercial tours on the Franklin since 1987 for Wildtrek and Peregrine. Some rapids require portaging, however we have developed safe and efficient methods of negotiating them.

Delicious and nutritious cuisine is prepared with fresh Tasmanian produce. If you have any special dietary requirements just let us know in advance.

We practice the art of minimal impact travel through this delicate environment and make sure that we carry out all waste.

Each expedition uses two guides and two rafts paddled by a crew of two to five, with a maximum of ten people per departure. You are issued a waterproof drybag (~ 60 litre) to store your personal clothing and sleeping bag. Each trip has a spare day built in to cope with possible delays.

It may be possible to customise your tour if you have a group. 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.

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Reviews

“Four of us just finished 10 amazing days in the beautiful Tasmanian wilderness rafting the Franklin River. We highly recommend going with Water by Nature. We had the time of our life, thrills, spills, wildlife (birds including sea eagles & 2 platypus) & tranquility. Our trip leader Scotty, with rafting guide, Blake, were fantastic – very experienced, safe, hard workers & great senses of humour. The meals they prepared each day & evening were unbelievable – the master chefs of the camp stove. Thanks guys for memories that will last a lifetime.”

“The recent trip with eight people and two great guides, Scott and Dan was excellent. Our guides looked after our safety, fed us amazingly well for seven days.
The wilderness and serenity and some white water, and time to indulge in the timelessness of such pristine wilderness is not to be missed.
Also need to show gratitude to all those who stopped the mighty and beautiful Franklin River from being dammed.”

“One of the best trips of my life! Wild, adventurous and fun. Great crew both Water by Nature and my fellow rafters. The Franklin River is so remote and beautiful, peaceful yet aggressive and awesome. Shared this amazing adventure with my father and look forward to returning one day.”

“Was a little bit like hard work at times, but the beauty, Rapids, great food and company made up for it. Was awesome would highly recommend it!”

“Just finished the 10 day full river expedition with Brett Claudia and Jim. Great water level, fantastic food, and passionate guides. Challenging but completely worth the effort. Do the full 10 days if you have the chance! Remember it’s not a holiday, it’s an adventure.”