Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Understand
The Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is a part of the South West Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It was created as the Frenchmans Cap National Park, and was expanded to include a significant part of the South West. It can be accessed from Lyell Highway in the northern part, and it can be entered in the mid region at Strathgordon.
History
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Vegetation types within the park are varied, including cool temperate rainforest, drier eucalypt forests and button grass moorland.
Climate
Get in
By car
The Lyell Highway (Route A10) runs through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
The park has no facilities within its boundary, so to the east is Derwent Bridge, and the west are Queenstown and further towards the coast, Strahan as the nearest places with facilities.
By boat
Cruise boats departing from Strahan visit the park.
Fees and permits
A park entry permit is required.
Get around
Most of the access is by foot. Unless you are on a rafting venture down the Franklin River.
See
Do
Bushwalking
- Donaghys Hill Wilderness Lookout Walk. 30–40 minute return walk
- Franklin River Nature Trail, Franklin River, Lyell Highway, Derwent Bridge. An easy 1-km trail through cool temperate rainforest.
- Frenchmans Cap Track. A challenging 3–5 day hike.
- Lake Rhona Trail. 7–10 hours (14 km) one way, depending on conditions and fitness level.
- Nelson Falls Nature Trail (4 km west of Victoria Pass). An easy boardwalk trail to Nelson Falls.
Cruises
- Gordon River Cruises, 24 Esplanade, Strahan, ☎ +61 3 6471 4300, e-mail: grc@strahanvillage.com.au.
Rafting
- Franklin River Rafting, Tours depart from Hobart CBD, e-mail: info@franklinriverrafting.com. 8–10 day expeditions
Buy
Eat
There are picnic tables and toilet facilities at the Franklin River Nature Trail.
Drink
Stay safe
Go next
- Going east
- Derwent Bridge
- Hobart is 2.5 hours drive via the A10 Lyell Highway
- Going west