• A DSLR Camera with lens/lenses
• Spare batteries, there will be a long days with plenty of shooting.
• A sturdy tripod.
• Remote shutter release.
• Filters if you have them (Polarizer/Graduated/Neutral Density).
• Good walking shoes and shoes your willing to get wet (sneakers are ideal).
• Your creative brains.

We travel by bus from Hobart to the starting point of the trip the Collingwood River.

It is a good idea to bring a little bit of pocket money for the journey to the river and back to Hobart, should you require any last minute items, drinks or souvenirs from Strahan.

On Arrival we will have lunch and prepare the rafts for take off. Before leaving you will receive a comprehensive safety briefing and all the necessary rafting instruction.

We raft the Collingwood River to it’s confluence with the Franklin River and continue downstream. Negotiating obstacles such as; Boulder Brace, Log Jam, Nasty Notch and Descension Gorge on or way to the spectacular Irenabyss, our resting place for the evening. 

Wake up after the first night sleeping in the wilderness, your lungs full of fresh air. Another day of adventure lies in wait. What will be around the next corner ? Another fun and exciting rapid ? Tranquil pools with driftwood lying on an untouched beach or perhaps a wedge-tail eagle soaring high in the sky ?

After breakfast we pack up break camp and begin the section known as the middle Franklin. A winding stretch of the river that twists and its way through beautiful cold temperate rainforest.

Ancient Huon Pines, thousands of years old stand proud, sometimes precariously perched above the river. Tonight we make camp either on a delightful beach or at one of the established rainforest campsites along the river. 

Our second and final day on the Middle Franklin. Today we enter The Great Ravine, the cliffs get higher and a sense of foreboding befalls us. In the distance a thundering roar, The Churn rapid a compulsory portage announces it’s presence.

Getting past the dangerous rapids on the Franklin River is an art form in itself and different water levels dictate how we must tackle the task as a team. Once the rafts, all our food, camping and personal gear are safely at the bottom our next obstacle comes into view. The Corkscrew can be one of the finest rapids on the river or not, either way once we have negotiated the challenge we paddle down ‘Serenity Sound’ feeling tired, satisfied and ready to make camp. 

Today we tackle the crux of the trip, The Great Ravine. Although only several kilometres in length, this section of the Franklin River is home to most of the big rapids which must be safely negotiated.

The Dean and Hawkins party, who in the 1959, after several attempts were the first to successfully descend the Franklin took six days to complete this stretch of river. They called it ‘Deception Gorge’ and they were not at all pleased with the effort it required, feeling that they may not survive.

Johnson Dean recounts in his book ‘Shooting the Franklin’ as they were destined for another miserable night in a rough campsite “I wished I had never encountered this hideous defile”

Luckily thanks to the advancement in equipment, knowledge and tricks developed over the years, these days ‘The Ravine’ is generally surmounted in one long day.

A combination of rafting, portaging and lining make for a very exciting and memorable day.

Beware those that are blasé, The Franklin River is still the scene of many epic adventures. Tales of rafts lost, long arduous portages or cold wet nights waiting for a boat swamped due to a hasty attempted shortcut.

Once the last obstacle is behind us we drift lazily down river until the gorge opens up to reveal our home for the evening. The beautiful Rafters Basin. Tonight we feel that sense of satisfaction that one only feels after a hard days effort. The morning seems like a lifetime ago, amazing how much you can fit in just one day. 

Today we journey through the stunning Propsting Gorge, one of the best stretches of raft-able whitewater on the Franklin River.

A slightly shorter day generally welcomed by all after the effort of the previous days.

Shortly before camp we arrive at ‘Rock Island Bend’ often associated with the Franklin River and the campaign to save it due to the photograph taken by Peter Dombrovskis ‘Morning mist at Rock Island Bend’.

Tonight we camp at Newlands Cascades a naturally sheltered campsite, one of the best places to be if it’s raining and the river is rising. 

After a quick goodbye from the whitewater we have come accustomed to the Franklin changes dramatically. As we enter the lower reaches of the river it widens, the wild water becoming tranquil and the rock formations predominantly limestone.

Sometimes a Sea Eagle will keep watch from above until it is satisfied with our presence. As it flies away we are once more left to experience the silent isolation of this immense wilderness.

Further downstream you can visit Kuti Kina cave inhabited by the Tasmanian Aboriginals 15,000-20,000 years ago. Shortly afterwards we arrive at Big Fall Beach, a magnificent campsite gladly received after the days paddling. 

Our last day of rafting today we continue down the Lower Franklin and onto the lower reaches of the Gordon River.

Along the way we pass another majestic set of caves and a little known canyon called ‘The Lost World’. Perfectly named this unlikely looking nook opens up to reveal a world of dark green mosses and delicate spider webs.

Not long afterwards the Franklin River flows into the Gordon River and with it the end of our adventure draws nearer. The past week seemingly gone in the blink of an eye. We pass the proposed site for the Dam, reminding us that this place was nearly lost forever.

Another six kilometres downstream we reach the jetty at Sir John Falls the end of our journey by raft. 

We begin the day bright and early to the sound of Andrea Bocelli coming from on board the ‘Stormbreaker’. Trevor the skipper bellows out a mighty “Good Morning Folks” as we break camp for the last time and head on board the yacht.

We cruise down the Gordon River in the early morning mist past the iconic ‘Butlers Island’ where 34 years ago blockaders attempted to stop the barges carrying the bulldozers for the dam.

We continue to cruise down the river to its mouth and into Macquarie Harbour, on a clear day you will be treated to 360° views including the dramatic Frenchmans Cap in the distance. The Stormbreaker takes us all the way into the small west coast town of Strahan.

On arrival our bus will be waiting, the last part of our journey back to Hobart. 

• Services of 2 professional photographic tour leaders,
• Professional guiding
• 8 day wilderness expedition
• Delicious & fresh cooked meals
• All rafting equipment, including wetsuits safety equipment, including helmet & pfd dry bag for your personal gear
• Shared Pelican waterproof box for cameras
• Communal expedition First Aid Kit
• Comfortable self-inflating air-mattress
• Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Services fees
• Transfer from Hobart to the River
• Transfer from Strahan to Hobart
• Yacht cruise on board ‘The Stormbreaker’ 
• Photographic tuition and workshops (suitable for any levels or ability).
• An A2 framed print (white/raw) of your favourite image from the tour, printed and framed by Created For Life.

• Flights to and from Hobart
• Accomodation whilst in Hobart
• Breakfast on day 1, dinner on day 8 
• Travel insurance – a compulsory condition of booking. Camera or other optional insurances are not included.
• Sleeping bag (available for hire if needed)
• All items of a personal nature
• Alcohol, extra drinks, gifts, souvenirs and any extras purchased.
• Camera Equipment and items of personal needs

*TOUR ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF FOTOWORKSHOPS. PLEASE READ OUR T&C FOR MORE INFO.

The preferred method of camping on the river is using tarpaulins, nothing is quite as roomy and social. We have plenty, of all different sizes and encourage you to discover the tarpologist within. If tents are more your thing feel free to bring one, lightweight bushwalking style recommended. 

Imagine combining a dream holiday with your passion for photography. You will explore secret locations and gain new expertise in one of the greatest art forms ever created. With Fotoworkshops, you will be personally mentored by some of the most highly regarded professionals in the industry. A truly immersive experience that is sure to check off on the bucket list. Our itineraries and experience in handpicked locations will ensure you never miss an opportunity, you can capture everything from breath-taking waterfalls, wild bears, quiet and serene sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, diverse and wonderful local people, streetscapes and ancient cultures – the list is endless.

Give some one you know a personalised gift towards any of our Photo Tours, Landscape Photography Workshops or Personalised Photography Tours. Vouchers are available in any amount from $100.

All of our Photo Tours require a relatively good level of fitness. All participants must be able to swim. This tour involves heights, abseiling, rock climbing. However, no prior abseiling or climbing experience is required.

Check with your tour guide before leaving and we can give you a better idea of any special fitness requirements you may need to complete the Tour.

If groups are not for you and you would prefer to travel by yourself or with a group of friends and family then we can accommodate your needs by customizing a Photography Tour to suit your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests.

We also offer private one or two day photo tours and workshops in many of our locations. Please or email us for rates and information.

Travel insurance is a compulsory part of booking any of our Photography Tours. We can assist you if you wish, ask us via email bookings@fotoworkshops.com.au

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