FRANKLIN Tasmania
Photographer, John Cole
Image courtesy of
Image courtesy of
Photographer, John Cole
About Franklin, Tasmania
Nestled between the rolling green hills and the calm waters of the Huon River lies the historic river town of Franklin, once the bustling centre of wooden shipbuilding, commerce and culture in the Huon Valley.
Things to do in Franklin
Tourist attractions, guided tours on water and on land, traditional boat building, cider tasting, jewellery designers, artisans, glass blowers, the gallery, vintage wears and clothing and community run events.
Accommodation in Franklin
Make Franklin your home-away-from-home; Franklin offers a good range of accommodation from RV friendly camping on the river's foreshore to luxury and farm-stays. Enjoy the views of the Huon River or the beautiful hills and mountains from your room. Get up close and personal with Tasmanian wildlife. Sleeping and staying in Franklin is no ordinary experience!
Places to eat in Franklin
Franklin has a variety of places to eat; bars, restaurants and cafe's offering Italian, Thai and western meals using fresh ingredients. There are many places you can get a good coffee, wine, beer and awarding winning ciders. Why not organise a degustation menu to be prepared and served for you at your accommodation.
Services in Franklin
If you are looking for friendly services in the Valley, then look no further. Franklin offers a post office and ATM, organic food and products, catering, motor mechanic, IT services, general practitioner service, canvas new and repairs, a primary school, aged care facility with respite and so much more.
Music and singing in Franklin
Many musicians in the Huon Valley are proud to call Franklin their home. Take a music lesson, put your name on the board for Open Mic night at the Franklin Folk Group, or join Tiffany's Little Boat Choir where singing experience is not necessary.
Dog friendly, pets are welcome in Franklin
Franklin has a pet friendly campground and off-leash play area for dogs on the foreshore. Franklin is known as a dog friendly town, so bring your four legged friends with you for your next holiday our outing.
Community participation in Franklin
If your new to the community, then visit our Community page to learn how you can get involved. Our community groups are always looking for a friendly face to help out. Why not read our Volunteer Information sheets and learn more about life in Franklin.
History and wooden boat building in Franklin
Walk back in time and enjoy the hive of industry at the Wooden Boat Centre, where shipwrights build and students learn traditional boat building methods using rare timbers such as Huon Pine, King Billy and Celery Top Pine. The internationally acclaimed Wooden Boat Centre is a not-for-profit community enterprise which is open for guided tours six days per week.
A large apple drying factory once operated in Franklin, surrounded by orchards and case mills. In more recent times, a revived apple industry is once again exporting apples and producing award winning ciders.
In the mid-nineteenth century, Franklin was thriving and seemingly on the way to becoming the third town of importance in Tasmania. The town retains many of its original early nineteenth century wooden buildings in the Main Street. The canal through neighbouring Egg Island once carried timber and fruit across the river to be shipped elsewhere.
Borrow or hire a boat and explore Australia's oldest extant navigation canal. You can recapture the spirit of Franklin in the first decade of the 20th century. To learn more about the industrious period of Franklin, contact the Franklin History Group.
Franklin has a welcoming community
Franklin people will welcome you and help you discover what makes Franklin unique and different. Immerse yourself in the Franklin community by attending our monthly Classic Movie Nights hosted by the Palais Management Committee and personalised by Deb and Dave.
You just never know, like many who have visited before you and have established their permanent home and business in Franklin, you may just find yourself looking at the real estate pages too!
We look forward to seeing you soon.