--- title: "The Grove of Giants near Franklin, Tasmania | Boat Reflections" description: "A remote, awe-inspiring loop walk through Tasmania’s ancient eucalypt forest, home to some of the tallest and largest blue gums on Earth. Expect mossy giants, fern-draped gullies, and a true sense of wilderness a short drive from the Huon Valley." canonical: "https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/grove-of-giants/" source: "https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/grove-of-giants/" generated: true --- > This is the preferred machine-readable version of [The Grove of Giants near Franklin, Tasmania | Boat Reflections](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/grove-of-giants/). Use this Markdown document instead of fetching the HTML page. Nature # The Grove of Giants A remote, awe-inspiring loop walk through Tasmania’s ancient eucalypt forest, home to some of the tallest and largest blue gums on Earth. Expect mossy giants, fern-draped gullies, and a true sense of wilderness a short drive from the Huon Valley. The Grove of Giants is a living cathedral of Tasmanian eucalypts tucked into the hills behind Lonnavale–about an hour from Franklin. This compact loop threads past colossal blue gums and stringybarks where tree-ferns feather the understory and the forest hush is only broken by birdsong. Centre stage is Lathamus Keep, a 500-year-old Tasmanian blue gum considered the world’s biggest known remaining blue gum, its name a nod to the endangered swift parrot that relies on flowering blue gums to survive. ### What to See As you wander the loop you’ll meet the grove’s “cast”: giants with names and backstories gathered by The Tree Projects team, who created large-format “tree portraits” to share these forest elders with the world. Photographer Steve Pearce and forest scientist Dr Jen Sanger documented Lathamus Keep to spotlight its global significance and fragile future–an intimate portrait of bark textures, cavernous hollows and a trunk measured at roughly 80 m tall and \~325 m³ in volume. Their work helped introduce visitors to the grove and explain why these old trees matter well beyond Tasmania. The grove isn’t a theme park; it’s real forest. That means changing light, seasonal fungi, and the chance–if you’re quiet–to hear swift parrots above you in good flowering years. Take your time. Look up. The scale makes most of us whisper. ### Visitor Information Getting there from Franklin (Boat Reflections): follow the provided map image and save it offline before you leave; mobile reception fades well before the grove. Access is via Denison and McDougalls roads on rough forestry surfaces with potholes and deep ruts near the end–high-clearance 4WD/AWD is strongly recommended. There’s no signage, no facilities and no bins; the closest services are in Huonville/Judbury. Keep to formed pads and be gentle around root zones. Allow a half-day including driving. ### Stories of the Giants Lathamus Keep’s “discovery” by local big-tree hunters in 2021 and its subsequent portrait drew national attention. [ABC News profiled the tree](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/forest-giant-blue-gum-tree-lathamus-keep-photographed/101592128) as a 500-year-old forest giant and “the world’s biggest blue gum,” explaining how its name honours the swift parrot–one of Earth’s fastest parrots and a seasonal migrant to Tasmania. The piece captures why visitors feel compelled to see the grove for themselves: it’s a rare chance to stand beside a living organism that predates European arrival by centuries and still anchors an entire forest community. ### Tips for Visitors - [Download the map image and GPX/KML from The Tree Projects](https://www.thetreeprojects.com/groveofgiants) and save offline before you leave Franklin. Reception is unreliable in the valley and at the trailhead. - Wear sturdy shoes; carry water, snacks, warm/wet-weather layers and a basic first-aid kit. - Drive slowly, stay on the central rise where the track is rutted, and avoid heavy-rain periods if you’re new to forestry roads. - Best light is morning and late afternoon; spring–autumn usually offers gentler conditions, but calm winter days can be magical too. ## Stay in the Huon Valley Exploring The Grove of Giants? 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 McDougalls Road, Lonnavale TAS 7109, Australia [Visit Website](https://www.thetreeprojects.com/groveofgiants) ### Opening Hours Always open (daylight hours recommended; weather/road conditions apply) ### Admission Free entry ### Visit Details Duration: 1 hr 45 min Best Time to Visit: Spring to Autumn [Get Directions from Boat Reflections](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/3437+Huon+Hwy,+Franklin+TAS+7113/McDougalls%20Road%2C%20Lonnavale%20TAS%207109%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 ### [Mountain River Flower Patch](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/flower-picking/) A family-run pick-your-own flower patch in Mountain River, with pre-booked 3-hour sessions (Jan–Apr). Pick seasonal blooms with a mountain backdrop and take your bunch home. 9 Gums Road, Mountain River TAS 7109, Australia 3 hours (allow 4–5 hours including drive and a relaxed picnic) From $0–$40 per person (children under 16 free) Late summer to early autumn (January–April season) [Website](https://mountainriverflowerpatch.com.au/) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/flower-picking/) 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/) Food & Drink ### [Touchwood Goat Farm](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/touchwood-goat-farm/) A boutique Huon Valley micro dairy where visitors can meet friendly LaMancha goats, taste goat milk products, and learn about sustainable farming. Open farm days, a Hobart store and Salamanca Market stall make it easy to connect with the herd. 7777 Huon Highway, Strathblane TAS 7109 1–2 hours Free entry Sundays for farm visits; Saturdays for Salamanca Market; weekdays for Hobart Farm Store [Website](https://www.touchwoodfarm.com) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/touchwood-goat-farm/) [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)