--- title: "Franklin Forest Walk near Franklin, Tasmania | Boat Reflections" description: "Mixed wet eucalypt forest with 4 easy-to-moderate walking tracks and the remains of a historic steam-driven sawmill. Free monthly guided walks by Friends of Franklin Forest." canonical: "https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/franklin-forest-walk/" source: "https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/franklin-forest-walk/" generated: true --- > This is the preferred machine-readable version of [Franklin Forest Walk near Franklin, Tasmania | Boat Reflections](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/franklin-forest-walk/). Use this Markdown document instead of fetching the HTML page. Nature # Franklin Forest Walk Mixed wet eucalypt forest with 4 easy-to-moderate walking tracks and the remains of a historic steam-driven sawmill. Free monthly guided walks by Friends of Franklin Forest. Just 7 kilometres from Franklin, this mixed wet eucalypt forest offers tall _Eucalyptus regnans_, fern gullies and a notable stand of leatherwood. It sits on the traditional, never-ceded lands of the Melukerdee people. Managed and tagged by the volunteer group Friends of Franklin Forest, the tracks give a gentle taste of Huon Valley bush without needing a full day or specialist gear. Expect birdsong, fungi after rain, and the hush of a shaded creek gully. --- ### Track Notes - **The Loop Track – 1.5 km (easy), \~1 hr.** Uneven terrain; begins through 2019 regrowth, crosses Castle Forbes Rivulet via bridge, then completes a circuit that returns to the bridge. Follow yellow tags. - **The Mill Track – \~2 hrs return (moderate).** Leaves the Loop Track; passes tall swamp gums to the historic **McMullen’s Mill** site with boiler and other remnants; return the same way. - **Tramway – \~30 min side trip** from the mill site. Flat section with giant swamp gums (some with large burls), traces of tramway buildings and scattered artefacts; rejoin the Mill Track. - **The Gully Track – \~2 hrs return (moderate).** Leaves the Loop Track into a lush, never-logged gully with huge tree ferns along the creek; return the way you came. --- ### Getting There From Franklin, drive up **New Road** through the clear-felled area (don’t turn right). After crossing **Castle Forbes Rivulet**, turn right and follow the road. As it descends, look for an old access road on the right signed **“Forest Walks.”** Park on the roadside or in that old access. The tagged track begins down the old access road (\~20 m) before a path left into regrowth forest. Mobile reception is patchy–save directions offline before you leave Franklin. --- ### Difficulty, Access & Facilities Tracks range from **easy to moderate** with uneven and sometimes slippery terrain; expect occasional fallen logs. **Access is via dirt road, suitable for 2WD in dry conditions** (slow driving recommended). There are **no facilities on site**–the closest toilets, cafés and shops are in **Franklin**. Dogs must be on a lead. --- ### Safety & Planning These tracks aren’t council-maintained. Check conditions and fire alerts before you go, carry water and a small first-aid kit, and wear sturdy footwear. Forestry activity may occur on weekdays–weekends are quieter. Save an offline map to your phone and practice **Leave No Trace**. ## Stay in the Huon Valley Exploring Franklin Forest Walk? Boat Reflections offers five self-contained suites beside the Huon River in Franklin, with private bathrooms, kitchenette facilities, and river or mountain views. [See our Huon Valley accommodation](https://boatreflections.com.au/rooms/) [Check availability](https://boatreflections.com.au/availability/) ### Location & Directions ### Visit Information New Road, Franklin TAS 7113, Australia [+61 407 916 765](tel:+61407916765) [friends.franklinforest@gmail.com](mailto:friends.franklinforest@gmail.com) [Visit Website](https://friends-of-franklin-forest.mailchimpsites.com/) ### Opening Hours Always open (daylight hours recommended; forestry operations possible on weekdays) ### Admission Free entry ### Visit Details Duration: 1–3 hours (allow 2–4 hours including drive and stops) Best Time to Visit: Year-round (spring–autumn for fungi and flowers; avoid high-wind days) [Get Directions from Boat Reflections](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/3437+Huon+Hwy,+Franklin+TAS+7113/New%20Road%2C%20Franklin%20TAS%207113%2C%20Australia) ## Other Attractions Discover more attractions and activities near Boat Reflections Heritage ### [Wooden Boat Centre](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/wooden-boat-centre/) A working museum and school dedicated to Tasmania’s wooden boat heritage, offering guided tours, hands-on workshops, and the chance to see boatbuilding in action 3333 Huon Highway, Franklin TAS 7113, Australia 1–1.5 hours Adults $15; Children under 17 $5 (under 5 free) Year-round [Website](https://www.woodenboatcentre.com) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/wooden-boat-centre/) Nature ### [Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/hastings-caves-and-thermal-springs/) Guided tours through Newdegate Cave’s otherworldly formations paired with a year-round 28°C thermal pool in a rainforest setting. An easy half-day adventure south of Franklin with short walks, BBQs and a cosy visitor centre. 754 Hastings Caves Road, Hastings TAS 7109 Half day Cave tour $24, thermal pool $5 Year-round [Website](https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/hastings-caves-state-reserve/hastings-caves-and-thermal-springs) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/hastings-caves-and-thermal-springs/) Nature ### [Tahune Adventures](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/tahune-adventures/) A soaring treetop walk and wilderness playground where forest giants, rivers, suspension bridges and cable-glide thrills meet relaxed forest lodging. Escape into nature 90 minutes from Hobart. Tahune Adventures Tasmania, Arve Road, Geeveston TAS 7116 Full day $33pp Year-round [Website](https://tahuneadventures.com.au/) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/tahune-adventures/) Adventure ### [Huon Jet Boats](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/huon-jet-boats/) High-thrill white water jet boating through the Huon River’s rapids and calm basins, paired with riverside café views. A bucket-list adventure just outside Huonville. 44 The Esplanade, Huonville TAS 7109 35 minutes Adult $98 Year-round; warmer months better for sitting outdoors, early morning quieter [Website](https://huonjet.com/) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/huon-jet-boats/) [View All Attractions](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/) ## Come down for air Stay in one of five self-contained suites by the Huon River in Franklin. [Check availability](https://book-directonline.com/properties/boatreflections)