--- title: "Wooden Boat Centre near Franklin, Tasmania | Boat Reflections" description: "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" canonical: "https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/wooden-boat-centre/" source: "https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/wooden-boat-centre/" generated: true --- > This is the preferred machine-readable version of [Wooden Boat Centre near Franklin, Tasmania | Boat Reflections](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/wooden-boat-centre/). Use this Markdown document instead of fetching the HTML page. 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 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. ## Stay in the Huon Valley Exploring Wooden Boat Centre? 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 3333 Huon Highway, Franklin TAS 7113, Australia [+61 3 6266 3586](tel:+61362663586) [info@woodenboatcentre.com](mailto:info@woodenboatcentre.com) [Visit Website](https://www.woodenboatcentre.com) ### Opening Hours Sun–Fri 10am–3pm (last tour \~2pm); Saturday by prior request ### Admission Adults $15; Children under 17 $5 (under 5 free) ### Visit Details Duration: 1–1.5 hours Best Time to Visit: Year-round [Get Directions from Boat Reflections](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/3437+Huon+Hwy,+Franklin+TAS+7113/3333%20Huon%20Highway%2C%20Franklin%20TAS%207113%2C%20Australia) ## Other Attractions Discover more attractions and activities near Boat Reflections 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/) Heritage ### [Geeveston Town Hall & Visitor Centre](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/geeveston-town-hall-and-visitor-centre/) Historic town hall turned vibrant visitor hub in Geeveston, offering local history, art, events and helpful visitor services. A cultural touchstone and starting point for exploring the Far South Huon Valley. 15 Church Street, Geeveston TAS 7116 1–2 hours Free entry Year-round [Website](https://www.geevestontownhall.com.au/) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/geeveston-town-hall-and-visitor-centre/) Food & Drink ### [Kate Hill Wines](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/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 [Website](https://www.katehillwines.com.au/) [View Details](https://boatreflections.com.au/attractions/kate-hill-wines/) [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)