Heritage

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

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.

Location & Directions

Other Attractions

Discover more attractions and activities near Boat Reflections

Kate Hill Wines
Food & Drink

Kate Hill Wines

Boutique cool-climate winery with an intimate cellar door just outside Huonville. Elegant wines, tasting platters & wine club perks in a scenic vineyard setting.

21 Dowlings Road, Huonville TAS 7109
1–2 hours
Free entry
Year-round
The Grove of Giants
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.

McDougalls Road, Lonnavale TAS 7109, Australia
1 hr 45 min
Free entry
Spring to Autumn
Touchwood Goat Farm
Food & Drink

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
Tahune Adventures
Nature

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

Come down for air

Come visit the Huon Valley and stay at Boat Reflections