
Please explore reviews or share your experiences
Tripadvisor reviews 2013/14 season
The guides Brett and Klaudia were always happy to help and made sure that the whole trip ran smoothly even with the continually changing weather and river conditions. They provided us with all the equipment including amazing waterproof bags to put all our clothes in and super comfy beds. The camps were so beautiful and I instantly felt like we were in the wilderness with just the sound of the river to put you to sleep. This was by far one of the most beautiful and enjoyable trips I have ever been on. To be able to experience such a beautiful and sacred part of Tasmania with great guides and people just made the trip unbelievable. Cheers to Brett and Klaudia for their expertise and for making it a fabulous trip
Visited April 2014 ***** read on tripadvisor
What was remarkable was not only was Brett good on the river but with his partner Klaudia could spin out delicious high class taste tempting meals and morsels day in day out. An impressive feat after a day of heavy rafting. Clearly they have their efficiencies and routines well worked out. For me it was an awe inspiring experience and I am very appreciative of the relentless campaigning by Bob Brown and his supporters back in the 1980’s right through to now. It is patently obvious that this naturally sculpted Japanese like water garden would have been obliterated without the vision and the persistence of the campaigners.
Everybody deserves to experience the Franklin, it reassures you that Nature is awesome and warrants our lifelong support. Brett and Klaudia are a very competent very experienced safe pair of hands who need a better website to promote the extraordinary experience they provide.
Thanks Scott
Visited April 2014, Was this review helpful? Yes 3 ***** read on tripadvisor
Visited April 2014, Was this review helpful? Yes 3 ***** read on tripadvisor
The outdoor camping experience, sleeping under rock overhangs, under a tarp on a beach and in tents in the bush, was a highlight for us, and was very comfortable and warm. There’s nothing like going to sleep under the stars in the Tasmanian wilderness, listening to the rush of the rapids nearby. (If sleeping in a tent, put a tarp up over the top if rain is predicted, as the tents are only shower proof).
I had concerns before I went on the trip about the toilet arrangements, but I needn’t have worried as they were hygienic and private. The rafting was great fun and we were carefully guided through each rapid by Brett, who has over 25 years experience rafting the Franklin River. His unflappable manner, experience and skill made us feel very safe as we travelled through the picturesque river environment. The food prepared by Brett and Klaudia was amazing, and just kept on coming! I even picked up some new cooking tips from Klaudia.
For more mature participants, be aware that this trip can be strenuous at times, and requires reasonable fitness, agility and strength to clamber over rocks, climb up hills and along tracks when portage is required, at times also carrying supplies and packs. We feel we could have prepared ourselves better for this. Thanks Brett and Klaudia for making the seemingly impossible, possible, and for giving us an unforgettable life experience that we will treasure forever.
(Some suggestions that helped us…wear full gloves when rafting (I bought Neoprene) to protect hands from grazes and for warmth; buy a pair of Neoprene sox from Brett for the same reason; hire sleeping bags from Brett (they’re very warm and it saves you bringing your own from home); take crocs to wear at night….easy to slip on and off when on land; if you don’t own a Down jacket, borrow one from Brett…they keep you so warm; take a blow up pillow; take some reading material as there is some quiet time; build up leg strength before you go; definitely buy some Dunlop Volleys to wear when rafting; when you get to camp take off your wet clothes first before you start to set up your camp…sounds obvious, but remember we were new to this! Also, we would recommend doing the 7 or 10 day rafting trip to experience the entire river and the full range of terrain and rapids that this pristine World Heritage area has to offer. The 5 day trip only does the lower Franklin area.)
Visited April 2014, Was this review helpful? Yes 5 ***** read on tripadvisor
Visited January 2014, Was this review helpful? Yes 1 ***** read on tripadvisor
Visited January 2014, ***** read on tripadvisor
The guides’ river navigation, raft movements and negotiation of big rapids and obstacles made it all look easy (ish…). Some parts of the river and great gorge look (through wide bulging eyes…) initially unpassable, yet our passage through paddling, lining or portaging made magic happen. ‘Wallah!’ what were we worried about.? I developed a growing awareness that the trip could have been much different, without really professional, experienced and mature guides – I think I heard Brett say he had done more than 200+ descents and had seen the river in every state and level imaginable. Mind boggling stuff to hear him casually point out a mark up a cliff wall and say, “yeh the water was up to there, and we had to do such and such”.
The wilderness and wild aspects of the trip were continually mind-boggling – but these were topped off several times a day by almost unbelievably restaurant ( I kid you not) quality food and culinary treats and the odd wine and beer if you fancied, as you tried to take in the river and the surrounds from some great vantage point on a beach or a rock overlooking the river. Off the river at both ends: the pre-briefing, link and pick up in Hobart and trip back out from the river – in our case flying out from the lower Gordon – was great fun, well oiled, low hassle and otherwise flawless. Likewise WBN/Brett’s offer and ongoing post-trip intel, advice – and his transport help – with us getting around to see the sights in Hobart after the trip for the next couple of days, including a trip to MONA. Was hard to leave Tassie with this kind of scenery and friendliness. – Al Sweetman
Visited January 2014 ***** read on tripadvisor
Our camps were located next to the river and sleeping under the stars is an unforgettable experience. The beauty of the landscape is breathtaking all the way down the river. The good weather (around 30 degrees every day) allowed us to fly out by seaplane a nice way to farewell the Franklin. For the first time you realise how remote the area really is. To round off the trip the whole group met for dinner in a local restaurant in Hobart. I highly recommend the trip, it’s guaranteed that you’ll leave with unforgettable memories.
Visited January 2014,Was this review helpful? Yes 1, ***** read on tripadvisor
Our guides Robin and Morgan where extremely experienced and knew every twist and turn the river took. We were also given local knowledge and history about the wilderness, the Franklin and the Gordon Rivers. We experienced a rapidly rising river as we had rain overnight during out stay. This made for good rafting conditions but poor overnight conditions, however, manage we did. The overnight camping on the side of the river is an amazing experience. The first night we stayed on a rock lodge under a rock overhang, the second night on a crushed rock island which jutted into the river where we experienced a wild and woolly night and the third night we stayed at the very beautiful St Johns Falls. On the final morning we were met by the yacht Stormbreaker which sailed us down the Gordon River into Macquarie Harbour and back to Strahan. All meals were provided on the trip and were excellent, tasty, nutritious and varied. All the gear is provided but take plenty of thermals, a warm sleeping bag and warm clothing for night time. It was definitely a wow experience!
Visited January 2014, ***** read on tripadvisor
The biggest surprise of all was the food. They were excellent cooks and I returned 2 kilos heavier; not what I expected. The whole experience will be logged as one of the best holidays I’ve had. Though reasonable fitness is essential and my quads have only just recovered from the descent from the MCall track to the river (where we started). Finally, the journey to the river from Hobart (via Queenstown) and the return on the Stormbreaker via Strahan was also pretty fab. The only downside was a mix up/delay with retrieving our bags at the end – which seemed to be a communication problem between Water By Nature and the bus company who transported us…but really. I am already planning on returning in a year or 2 with my now 8 year old daughter.
Visited January 2014, Was this review helpful? Yes 1 ***** read on tripadvisor
Visited January 2014, Was this review helpful? Yes 2 ***** read on tripadvisor
Visited December 2013 Was this review helpful? Yes 1 ***** read on tripadvisor
Off the river my belly was constantly filled with the most amazing food conjured up by Brett and Klaudia on two small gas cookers. I was fascinated by what came out of the kitchen each night – garlic prawns, fillet steak, it never ceased to amaze me. At night I was comfortable and warm. The Franklin is unbelievably beautiful – this trip will remain one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Visited December 2013 ***** read on tripadvisor
This is the second time I have rafted the river – see my review from January 2013 below. On both occasions, I went with Water by Nature and I would do it all again. On both my expeditions with Water by Nature, Brett ensured that our guides were none other than the very best. With Jim and Rob, we navigated the river with competence, in safety and with much mirth. The portages were handled carefully and without drama. Jim has an adventure company in Scotland known as Ace Adventures and Rob has represented Australia in world championships in white water rafting. So we were in good hands!
Jim constantly prepared great meals and took care to ensure that those of us with sensitive stomachs were nourished thoughtfully. The trek to Frenchmans Cap and back was a real privilege afforded to us in good weather. Unlike Ben C, I reached the first peak alone, but that in itself was a treat enough. I bought 5.10 Canyoneers and can’t recommend them highly enough. They made all the difference to my enjoyment of the river. For those of you in NSW, you can buy them from Summit Gear in Katoomba.
If you are thinking of rafting the Franklin, check out Brett’s website and give him a call. Known as the Godfather of the River, he’s a lovely guy and is the most experienced man on the river.
Hope this helps,
Peter
Visited December 2013, Was this review helpful? Yes 2 ***** read on tripadvisor
We were a small and perhaps underpowered crew but were able to run the amazing rapids with confidence. The River itself is a gorgeous place – rough, rugged and untouched (nb: and you keep it that way – be prepared to primitive ablutions and taking everything out with you. I mean everything…) The excitement of the rapids and the truly awesome environment as well as being completely removed from the rest of the world combines to create a magnificent trip.
The “walk” up to Frenchman’s Cap on the trip was a highlight for me. If you take this trip be aware that if you’re not used to walking, this is relatively strenuous side trip. Technical portages were difficult, challenging and in the end fun. Coming out of the boat a couple of times along the way added a certain piquancy to the experience! Be prepared for exhaustion, fear, thrills and the unassailable enjoyment of being in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and completing a challenging series of activities.
Make sure you follow the gear recommendations – shoes are really important! Go with the Dunlop Volleys or the 5.10 Canyoneers. You don’t want to slip of the Slimy Rocks of Doom into the Raging Torrent of Death….
Again, I would highly recommend Brett and the Water by Nature team. If you’re going to take a ride along the ditch, get in touch with them.
Cheers
B
Visited December 2013, Was this review helpful? Yes 5 ***** read on tripadvisor
Also, Jim’s culinary skills completely blew me away as every meal was prepared with the freshest of local produce – herbs and spices too! I have fallen in love with the Franklin and will be forever grateful for the experiences and challenges that it offered me.
Visited December 2013, Was this review helpful? Yes 2, ***** read on tripadvisor
This was truly an experience of a life-time which has enriched our lives and make us realise how precious the beauty of the Franklin River is.
Being with Brett and Klaudia was fantastic and we felt privileged that albeit a commercial venture were generous enough to share their world with us,
It was tough going, but it builds character and it is and experience that we will be able to tell our friends and family about for years to come.
Visited November 2013, ***** read on tripadvisor
Visited October 2013, Was this review helpful? Yes 1, ***** read on tripadvisor