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Length: 1.5km
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Duration: 40mins
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Grade: 1
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Style: Return
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Start: Franklin River Car Park
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End: Franklin River Car Park
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Location: Wild Rivers National Park
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Closest Town: Derwent Bridge
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Distance from CBD: 199km
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State: TAS
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Latitude: -42.215555
Longitude: 146.020237
Keep the Trail Access info current...

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...

Wild Rivers National Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
Hike Summary
Those travelling between Queenstown and Derwent Bridge will cross this well-known wilderness river on their way. Plan a rest stop here and enjoy the tranquility of water and rainforest.
Highlights
The Battle to Save the Franklin
The Franklin was at the heart of the largest conservation battles in Australian history when environmentalists fought to save the river from being dammed. The issue dominated Tasmanian politics throughout the late 70s and early 80s and caused great rifts between those who supported the construction of the dam and those who sought the preservation of the wilderness values of the region.
In order to stem the growing wave of concern over the construction of the dam, the State Labor Government of Premier Doug Lowe sought a compromise, passing legislation that paved the way for the construction of a dam on the Gordon-above-Olga, an alternative that did little to appease either pro or anti dam groups. In 1981 a referendum was held in an attempt to resolve the issue, giving the Tasmanian people the opportunity to express their support for the construction of either the Gordon-below-Franklin or the Gordon-above-Olga scheme. The option of no dams, however, was withdrawn. This resulted in a staggering 44% of the electorate casting an informal vote by writing, 'No Dams’ across their ballot ticket.
The campaign to save the Franklin River, clearly lost on political grounds, shifted emphasis, with the organisation of what was to be one of the largest acts of mass civil disobedience seen in Australia. Protesters chained themselves to gates at the HEC compound in Strahan and formed blockades in rubber duckies at Warners Landing. As boat load after boat load were arrested, new waves of protesters came to take their place. The campaign continued throughout the summer of 1982-3 and resulted in the arrest of 1272 persons.
On 31 March 1983, the Hawke Government, which had recently been elected into office on an anti-dam platform, passed regulations forbidding HEC works within the World Heritage Area. Despite this, the HEC continued with the construction of works while the Tasmanian Government’s challenge to the validity of the legislation was heard in the High Court. It was the decision of the High Court on the 1 July 1983 which, after a four to three majority ruling, prevented the damming of the Franklin River. The listing of the Tasmanian Wilderness as a World Heritage Area in 1982 was an essential component in the landmark decision to halt the construction of the dam, but listing also gave recognition to the natural and cultural values which make the area of outstanding universal significance.
About the region
The Western Wilderness
Getting there
Road A10 (Lyell Highway) 60km east of Queenstown.
Tips
Park entry fees apply. (Lake St Clair is the closest place to obtain a park pass.)
Picnic and toilet facilities.
Easy walk that may suit some wheelchair users and those with strollers.
Supervise children, flowing waters.
No pets, firearms or bicycles.
GPX File
Max elevation: 411 m
Min elevation: 399 m
Total climbing: 18 m
Total descent: -18 m
For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania
Hikes Nearby
One thought on “Franklin River Nature Trail (1.5km)”
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Rhiannan Camilla
Its probably already on your to do list but just in case 🙂