National park · Australia
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Drive the Lyell Highway and stop for Nelson Falls (20 min return) and Donaghys Hill (40 min); add the Franklin River Nature Trail if you have an hour. Frenchmans Cap is a 3–5 day pack trip, not a day walk. Entry is free; the park has no facilities, so fuel and food at Derwent Bridge or Queenstown.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,463 km² (1,723 sq mi)1,723 sq mi (4,463 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 4,463 km² (1,723 sq mi)1,723 sq mi (4,463 km²)
- Second-largest national park in Tasmania; figures vary slightly by boundary revision (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park protects the Franklin and Gordon river systems in the West Coast of Tasmania, inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is the second-largest national park in the state, mostly roadless rainforest, river gorge and quartzite peaks. The Lyell Highway (A10) cuts through the northern edge, so most visitors see it as a roadside stop: Nelson Falls on a boardwalk, Donaghys Hill lookout, and the Franklin River Nature Trail. Everything else — Frenchmans Cap, Lake Rhona, the Franklin by raft — is multi-day country with no facilities and no phone signal. The park was created as Frenchmans Cap National Park and later expanded; the 1980s campaign against the Franklin Dam is why the rivers still run free.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1982Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Size and age
4,463 km² (1,723 sq mi)1,723 sq mi (4,463 km²) · national park since 1981
Second-largest national park in Tasmania; figures vary slightly by boundary revision (check).
Why go
- Nelson Falls is a 30 m fall reached by a boardwalk in about 20 minutes return, straight off the Lyell Highway.
- Donaghys Hill gives a short, steep climb to a wilderness lookout over the Franklin valley.
- The Franklin River Nature Trail is an easy 1 km (0.6 mi) loop through cool temperate rainforest with picnic tables and toilets.The Franklin River Nature Trail is an easy 0.6 mi (1 km) loop through cool temperate rainforest with picnic tables and toilets.
- Frenchmans Cap and the Franklin River are the real wilderness: multi-day walking and rafting country with no road access.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanLong days, mild; busiest month
- FebWarm and settled
- MarCooling; good walking
- AprAutumn colour; rain returns
- MayWet, snow on high ground
- JunShort days, heavy rain, snow
- JulColdest; roads can ice
- AugSnow and closures on high routes
- SepUnsettled; wildflowers start
- OctImproving; waterfalls full
- NovMild, long days, fewer people
- DecWarm but changeable; holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool temperate rainforest and eucalypt birdsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Platypus in the Franklin and Gordon riversOct–Apr · Dawn and dusk; do not swim or disturb banks. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Button grass moorland wildflowersNov–Jan | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Leeches and mud on wet tracksMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Hobart
Drive the A10 Lyell Highway west via Derwent Bridge; Nelson Falls is about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Victoria Pass.Drive the A10 Lyell Highway west via Derwent Bridge; Nelson Falls is about 2.5 mi (4 km) west of Victoria Pass.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Strahan
Drive the A10 east to the park boundary; cruise boats from Strahan also enter the lower Gordon.
45 min–1 h
From Queenstown
Drive the A10 east; the park boundary is close to the town.
30–45 min
From Lake St Clair
Drive the A10 west via Derwent Bridge; the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre manages the park's visitor enquiries.
30–40 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lyell Highway corridor | Nelson Falls, Donaghys Hill and the Franklin River Nature Trail — the roadside stops. | Open; no facilities beyond picnic tables and toilets at the Franklin River trail. |
| Franklin River valley | The river that was at the centre of the 1980s dam campaign; rafting and walking country. | By foot or raft only. |
| Frenchmans Cap | The dominant peak of the park, seen on the skyline from the west and north. | Multi-day track; registration and fee required. |
| Southwest wilderness | Roadless country reached from Strathgordon in the mid region. | Experienced bushwalkers only. |
Sketch map
- 1Nelson Falls · Viewpoint≈-42.090, 145.730Approximate; about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Victoria Pass on the A10.Approximate; about 2.5 mi (4 km) west of Victoria Pass on the A10.Map ↗
- 2Donaghys Hill lookout · Viewpoint≈-42.250, 145.850Approximate position on the Lyell Highway.Map ↗
- 3Franklin River Nature Trail · Trail≈-42.220, 146.020Approximate; picnic tables and toilets.Map ↗
- 4Frenchmans Cap · Summit≈-42.270, 145.830Approximate; multi-day track access.Map ↗
- 5Kutikina Cave · Cave≈-42.528, 145.769Archaeological site; not open to casual visits.Map ↗
- 6Derwent Bridge · Town≈-42.140, 146.230Approximate; nearest supplies east of the park.Map ↗
- 7Strahan · Town≈-42.150, 145.330Approximate; west coast base for Gordon River cruises.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Lyell Highway and the west coast, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for Tasmanian national parks (check). |
| Tasmanian national parks pass (Holiday Pass, per vehicle) | AUD 40–90 (≈ US$30–60) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; needed for parks that charge, not for Franklin-Gordon (check). |
| Gordon River cruise from Strahan | AUD 150–300 (≈ US$100–200) | person | 2026 estimate; day cruises into the lower Gordon. |
| Franklin River rafting expedition | AUD 3,000–5,000 (≈ US$2,000–3,500) | person | 2026 estimate; 8–10 day guided trips from Hobart (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day walks off the Lyell Highway no permit
Frenchmans Cap Track permit or guide
Franklin River rafting permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$40–90≈ US$30–60
- A$150–300≈ US$100–200
- A$3,000–5,000≈ US$2,000–3,500
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park before you go.
Park rules
- No facilities in the park
- Carry food, water and fuel; the nearest supplies are at Derwent Bridge, Queenstown or Strahan.
- Fires
- No campfires in the park; use a fuel stove.
- Frenchmans Cap registration
- Register and pay the walk fee before starting; the track has a hut and platforms.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife (check).check
- Litter and waste
- Carry out everything you bring in; there are no bins on the tracks.
Where to stay
Near the park
Derwent Bridge
Lodge and motel rooms on the Lyell Highway, closest to Nelson Falls and the Franklin River trail.
Near the park
Strahan
Hotels, cabins and hostels on the west coast; base for Gordon River cruises.
Near the park
Queenstown
Motels and pubs on the west side of the park.
Near the park
Lake St Clair
Cabins and camping near the visitor centre that manages park enquiries.
Safety
Weather change on the Lyell Highway medium
Cold and wet on multi-day tracks high
River crossings on the Franklin and Lake Rhona routes high
No phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Nelson Falls boardwalk and the Franklin River Nature Trail are graded and reachable by car with short walks.
- Donaghys Hill, Frenchmans Cap and Lake Rhona are steep, rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the boardwalks and formed tracks; the rainforest and button grass are easily damaged.
- Use fuel stoves and carry out all waste, including food scraps.
- Book rafting and cruises with licensed operators that follow park rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park?
There is no entry fee for the park itself (check). You pay only for extras: a Tasmanian national parks pass if you visit parks that charge, Gordon River cruises from Strahan, or a licensed Franklin River rafting trip. Frenchmans Cap walkers pay a fee and register with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife.
What are the best hikes in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park?
For a short stop: Nelson Falls (20 minutes return) and Donaghys Hill lookout (30–40 minutes return). The Franklin River Nature Trail is an easy 1 km rainforest loop. For a serious trip, Frenchmans Cap is a 3–5 day walk and Lake Rhona is 7–10 hours one way; both need registration or good navigation.
When is the best time to visit Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park?
November to March gives the longest days and mildest weather. October and April are quieter and the waterfalls run well. June to August brings heavy rain, snow and possible road closures on the Lyell Highway.
Do I need a permit for Frenchmans Cap?
Yes. Register and pay the walk fee with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before starting. The track has a hut and camping platforms, and the route is rough and often wet.
Are there facilities inside the park?
Almost none. The Franklin River Nature Trail has picnic tables and toilets; everywhere else you carry your own food, water and fuel. The nearest supplies are at Derwent Bridge, Queenstown or Strahan.
Can I see the park without hiking?
Yes. The Lyell Highway runs through the park, so Nelson Falls and Donaghys Hill are roadside stops. Gordon River cruises from Strahan also enter the lower Gordon by boat.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go