UPPER FRANKLIN & FRENCHMANS CAP EXPEDITION

This seven-day adventure takes in the beautiful upper and middle reaches of the Franklin River, the jewel of Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage area. As well as rafting through Tasmania's most spectacular gorges, your journey includes the opportunity to attempt a day walk to the imposing Frenchmans Cap, the monarch of the south west.

ITINERARY
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You meet in Hobart at 7.00am on Sunday morning to receive your rafting equipment including wetsuit, thermal underwear top and spray jacket, and to pack your waterproof gear bag. You travel by private coach to the put-in point on the Collingwood River, a tributary of the Franklin. Here your guides will load the rafts and give a safety briefing. The day is spent mastering the rafts and enjoying the easy rapids leading down to the evening's camp at the junction with the Franklin proper. A short climb takes us to Donaghy's Hill for panoramic views down the Franklin River and across to one of our goals - Frenchmans Cap.

An early start sees us traversing the first of the Franklin's gorges, Aesthesia Ravine. After tackling the Log Jam and Nasty Notch rapid we rocket through the rapids of Descension Gorge before arriving at the deep and mysterious pools of the famous Irenabyss or "Chasm of Peace", your base for the next two nights.

Today you can stretch your legs on the trail to Frenchman’s Cap. Although it is unlikely you will reach the summit, the views on the way encompass the entire south-west World Heritage Area, including the rapids of the Franklin sparkling below. If the weather is poor there are a number of lower level walks nearby that offer you a different perspective of the river.

Today it's straight back into the action. Dozens of rapids, interspersed with quiet reaches, lead you past Mt Fincham, the Jericho Walls and The Crankle and on to your campsite at the base of the Engineer Range. Here you relax under a canopy of towering Sassafras and Myrtle trees.

A spectacular day’s rafting brings you to the awesome Great Ravine, one of Tasmania's deepest gorges. First you'll tackle the Side Slip rapid before coming to The Churn. Teamwork and tenacity will be required to portage at least part of this huge obstruction in the river. Later you arrive at your camp for a well-earned rest on the banks of Serenity Sound, deep in the Ravine.

You will need all of your well-practised rafting skills to negotiate the Coruscades, one of the longest rapids on the river. A short float takes you through to your next portage at Thunderush, then it's on to the last obstacle, The Cauldron. Your expert guides will ensure that you pass these awesome rapids safely. Your final camp at Rafter's Basin is a great place to relax after the efforts of the day

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Today you head into Propsting Gorge and reach the track that will take you away from the river to the journey's end. You carry your personal belongings to the top of the McCall track. This is an ascent of 320 metres that is a very step gradient! Most will find this walk very demanding and it will require significant exertion to get to the top. Your 4-wheel drive vehicles await with welcome cool drinks at the track-head to transport you to Queenstown for lunch. Your bus will meet you here for the final leg to Hobart. You arrive back in Hobart late in the afternoon and you will be delivered to your Hobart accommodation.

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