Upon arrival in Launceston, transfer to your hotel by the picturesque Tamar River. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore the nearby Cataract Gorge, an ideal spot to kick off your Tassie adventure with a refreshing walk. This evening is yours to unwind, recover from any jetlag, or take a leisurely stroll through Launceston to soak in its charming ambiance.

After a relaxing breakfast at your riverside hotel, enjoy the morning at your leisure, exploring Launceston at your own pace. After lunch, the group will convene for a mandatory orientation and pre-trip briefing. The briefing will begin at 1:00 PM and last approximately two hours. During this time, you'll receive an overview of the itinerary, an introduction to your friendly guide team, a brief weather forecast, and confirmation of the pick-up times and locations for the following morning's departure. You will also be fitted for your rafting gear ahead of the 9-day expedition along the mighty Franklin River. Following the briefing, you will have time to make any last-minute purchases from the numerous outdoor stores before we meet for an early dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants. In the evening, we will gather on the waterfront to meet our special guest speaker, a local Tasmanian expert. You'll be treated to a fascinating history of the Franklin River, learning about its iconic status in Australia and the successful campaign to save it in the 1970s and 80s. After this inspirational experience we will return to our hotel for the night, ready to venture out into the Tasmanian wilderness tomorrow morning.

This morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and journey south towards Lake St Clair. This stunning body of water is part of the renowned Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Lake St Clair marks the end of Tasmania’s most iconic multi-day walk, the Overland Track. En route, we will make an early stop to explore "The Wall." Known as Australia’s most ambitious recent art project, creator and designer Greg Duncan has carved the history of the highlands into 100 meters of timber, predominantly rare Huon Pine. The beautifully carved relief sculptures depict the history, hardship, and perseverance of the people in the Central Highlands, paying homage to the individuals who settled and protected the area. After our visit, we will check into our lodge accommodation and embark on a scenic boat ride across Lake St Clair. This will be the perfect introduction to the surrounding landscapes you'll be immersed in over the next nine days!

This morning, we will start our day with a special welcome on the shores of Lake St Clair. A representative from the Tasmanian Aboriginal community will greet us with a smoking ceremony and cultural discussion, setting a meaningful tone for our journey. After the ceremony, we will transfer to Collingwood Bridge to inflate and load our rafts. Before embarking on the water, our guides will provide a thorough safety briefing and instruction in paddling techniques. Our destination today is either the junction of the Franklin and Collingwood Rivers or further downstream to Aesthesia Ravine.

Today, we will navigate some exciting sections of the river, including the Log Jam, Nasty Notch, and Descension Gorge, before floating calmly through the serene Irenabyss. We'll set up camp on the riverbank just below the gorge, where you'll have the evening to relax and soak in the tranquillity of the wilderness. As your guides prepare a hearty evening meal, take the opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea by the river and watch for wildlife emerging at dusk.

Today is a long and beautiful day of rafting, offering both exciting paddling and numerous picturesque sites along the riverbanks. The river's mood will vary depending on recent rainfall. Keep an eye out for the vibrant red flowers of climbing heath cascading down the surrounding rock faces. This evening, you'll enjoy another delicious feast prepared by your guides before turning in for a night under the open sky.

Today, we enter the Great Ravine and face our first major portage at the Churn. The journey includes some challenging sections along the river before reaching the Churn. We'll pass Blushrock Falls, noted for the red hue in the rock. Keep an eye out for a view of Frenchman's Cap from the river. Your passionate guides will share the famous history of the Franklin River, along with intriguing lesser-known tales from their years of adventuring on this wild river. Tonight, we will camp at Coruscades Camp within the Great Ravine.

Today, we journey to Deliverance Reach, marking the end of the Great Ravine, and continue on to Rafter's Basin. After breakfast, we'll paddle and portage through a series of challenging spots: Coruscades, Livingstone's Cut, Thunderush, the Masterpiece, and the Cauldron, eventually reaching the Mousehole, a narrow recess with a cat-like boulder overlooking the river. From the Mousehole, it's a short 2 km paddle to Rafter's Basin, where we will set up camp by Interlude Creek. The terrain around tonight's camp offers a preview of the Lower Franklin we will encounter in the coming days.

Today's destination depends on the weather, aiming for either The Black Forest or Newlands Cascades. Life on the river is heavily influenced by the weather, but your adaptable guides always have a great plan B ready, no matter what Mother Nature throws at us-it's all part of the adventure! We'll paddle through Propsting Gorge and tackle some of the Franklin's best rapids. After lunch, we'll navigate the river's longest rapid, Newlands Cascades. At the bottom of these rapids, a long, large overhang provides a cosy spot to spend the night.

Greet the morning with a hot drink in hand, watching the sun creep down the valley walls towards our camp. Huon Pines and Leatherwood trees drape elegantly along the riverbanks. Listen and look for the birds flitting among the branches.

Today, our adventure continues as we paddle past Double Fall, Big Fall, and Galleon Bluff, which resembles the sterns of several ships jutting out into the dark water. Shortly after, we float beneath the impressive overhang of Verandah Cliffs. Our camp for the night is at Sir John Falls on the Gordon River, located about 5 km downstream from the junction of the Gordon and Franklin Rivers. The small wharf in front of our campsite offers a perfect spot for a swim in the Gordon River and for spotting white-bellied sea eagles while your guides prepare our final evening meal.

This morning, board the Stormbreaker yacht for a scenic cruise down the length of the river and into Macquarie Harbour. Relax on the deck and take in the stunning views of the expansive Gordon River. Upon reaching Strahan, we will transfer by bus to the picturesque town of Queenstown, located about an hour northeast. Once we arrive, we will check into our hotel for the night and enjoy a private screening of the FRANKLIN movie at the boutique Paragon Theatre. Having just explored the river ourselves, it will be a treat to revisit its historical moments and landmarks while they are still fresh in your memory. Dinner will be arranged at a local eatery, after which you can finally unwind in a comfortable bed for the first time in over a week.

After a delicious breakfast, we journey through the Tarkine rainforest to Montezuma Falls, Tasmania's tallest waterfall at 104 meters. The return walk to the falls follows the historic North East Dundas Tramway route. This easy-grade trail offers the chance to gaze up from your feet and admire the thousands of Tree Ferns that line the path to the falls. After lunch at the trailhead, we'll transfer to the lakeside town of Tullah. Once we arrive, we'll check into our accommodation and take in the serene beauty of Lake Rosebery, with Mt Murchison towering at the southern end. We'll enjoy an early dinner in the lodge's expansive beer garden, located on the lake's banks, as we watch the autumn skies of Tasmania change colour over the surrounding peaks-a truly breathtaking sight.

This morning, we will set off early for a short drive to our final hike in the Tarkine region: the rewarding Mt Farrell. This return hike begins in lush rainforests filled with Myrtle and vibrant ferns, then ascends into Buttongrass moorland leading to the craggy ridgeline of the mountain, offering stunning views of the Tarkine landscape. After the hike, we will board the bus for a scenic drive to one of Tasmania's most iconic landmarks-Cradle Mountain. Upon arrival, we will visit the newly opened underground viewing platform at Dove Lake and explore the popular Visitor Centre, giving us a preview of the wonders awaiting us over the next two days. Be sure to check out the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery at the hotel, which features a movie room showcasing Wildness, a short film by Tasmanian filmmaker Scott Millwood. This film tells the story of Peter Dombrovskis, Olegas Truchanas, and the battle to save the Franklin River.

Cradle Mountain, located in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, offers exceptional natural beauty. The park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, from moss-covered ancient rainforests and deep river gorges to snow-capped peaks, wild alpine moorlands, and glacial lakes. Weather permitting, we may offer the challenging ascent of Cradle Mountain (5,068 feet) as an option for today. This hike, which requires guide approval for participation, covers 13 km with an ascent and descent of 800 meters. The trek, including a significant portion of boulder scrambling, takes about 7 hours to complete. For those preferring a less strenuous option, an alternative hike will be available. Springtime at Cradle Mountain offers a wonderful opportunity to see playful young joeys and hungry echidnas emerging from winter. The area is rich in wildlife, and you might encounter native species such as Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, wombats, and the inquisitive black currawong.

All good things must come to an end, but not before we get up close and personal with some of the local wildlife at Devils @ Cradle. On our final morning, we’ll visit this Tasmanian devil sanctuary, which serves as a breeding and conservation facility for three of Tasmania’s unique and threatened carnivorous marsupials: the Tasmanian devil, spotted-tail quoll, and eastern quoll. During our visit, you’ll have the opportunity to observe these extraordinary animals up close, while a knowledgeable keeper provides insights into their life cycles and the challenges they face. After an early lunch, we’ll begin our journey back to Launceston. In the afternoon, you can choose to be dropped off directly at Launceston Airport or back in town for a final night’s stay (at your own expense) before your flight the following day.