Wooden Boat Centre

Right on the banks of the Huon River in Franklin, the Wooden Boat Centre is a living museum and not-for-profit boatbuilding school where Tasmania’s maritime craft is kept alive. Visitors can step onto the workshop floor, chat with guides, and watch apprentices and students shaping Huon pine, celery top pine and other local timbers into beautiful working boats. The Centre exists to ensure traditional wooden boatbuilding remains a relevant part of contemporary maritime culture–and it welcomes both curious visitors and hands-on learners.

Tours & Experiences

• Guided tours generally run on demand and take about 40 minutes, weaving through the discovery space and into the working sheds where boats are under construction or restoration.
• Courses & workshops range from one-day tasters (oar & paddle, landing net, shipwright’s stool) to the 1-Year Wooden Boatbuilding Course (Feb–Dec, ~38 hrs/week) with tailored tuition from shipwrights.
• Exhibits & stories highlight Franklin’s maritime heritage and the prized Tasmanian boatbuilding timbers that underpin the region’s long boatbuilding tradition.

Access & Facilities

• Opening hours: Sun–Fri 10am–3pm (last tour ~2pm); Saturday by prior request.
• Facilities: on-site gift shop; toilets and picnic spots are available in the Franklin village precinct. The main museum and viewing areas are generally accessible; workshop floors can have uneven surfaces.
• Neighbourhood pairing: make a Huon Valley day of it with Franks Cider House across the road, nearby vineyards, or a Huon River cruise.

Safety & Planning

Tours operate in most weather as much of the experience is indoors, but dress for a riverside workshop. For courses, wear practical clothing and closed shoes. Book ahead for guided groups and training places, and check the site for current schedules, prices and availability.