6
Moderate to Challenging

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 5 days trekking with a full pack
Accommodation
  • 4 nights camping
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

5 Days$2595AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
Read More
Trip Code: FFT

Trip highlights

  • Spectacular and challenging walking
  • Unsurpassed views of the entire World Heritage Wilderness
  • Endemic sub-alpine flora
  • Extraordinary side trips to high peaks
  • Discover the history and hard work behind this epic track
  • Summit the iconic quartzite peak of tuynti/Frenchmans Cap

The spectacular tuynti/Frenchmans Cap rises 1446 metres out of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, dwarfing everything and everyone lucky enough to be in its presence. The south-east face of the peak is home to Tasmania's oldest rock, a 300 metre high cliff of gleaming white Precambrian quartzite. From the summit the views are simply unbeatable – taking in a vast expanse of Tasmanian wilderness including the Arthur Range, Mt Ossa and Macquarie Harbour.

This superb trek to tuynti/Frenchmans Cap is a 46km return journey over varying terrain including open button grass plains and dense rainforests with steep ascents. Amidst this truly wild area you will discover an abundance of wildlife including many endemic bird species. By allowing five days of walking and camping under the summit, the carefully thought out itinerary allows a greater chance of visiting the peak in fine weather.

Activities:

Itinerary

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We pick you up early this morning in Launceston, from one of our two pick up locations. Our first pick up point is at 6:15am from the Grand Chancellor and our second pick up point is at 6:30am at the Penny Royal. We then travel 3 hours south-west to the start of the Frenchmans Cap Track. This scenic drive is the perfect opportunity for your guides to introduce the region to you as you watch the landscape change from the historic buildings of Launceston to the rugged wilderness of the Tasmanian Highlands. Reaching the trail head, we enjoy our packed lunch before we wave goodbye to the bus and start walking! We cross the Franklin River then climb gently through the tea tree forests of Mt Mullens. If the weather is clear we will be given our first stunning views of Frenchmans and the surrounding peaks. Tonight we camp by the picturesque Lake Vera, where your guides will whip up a hearty evening meal and brief you on the next exciting day. Walking distance: 16 km | Walking time: 6-7 hours. *You will need to arrive in Launceston the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 3:00pm pre-trip briefing.

Meals:  L,D

From Lake Vera we head toward tonight’s camp at Lake Tahune, nestled below the summit of Frenchmans Cap. The track takes us steeply up through Barron Pass where unsurpassed views of Frenchmans can be enjoyed from a distance. The sight of the epic, quartzite peak rising up and out of the surrounding dense wilderness is breathtaking and gives even the most experienced bushwalker an invigorating jolt of excitement. We sidle Sharlands Peak and pass through the Artichoke Valley before descending into camp. Walking Distance: 6 km | Walking Time: 8 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we ascend the imposing summit of tuynti/Frenchmans Cap. The climb is challenging and immensely rewarding; an absolute highlight of Tasmanian bushwalking. The ascent is approximately 1.7 km in distance and takes roughly 2 hours. The views from the top are incomparable, taking in a vast expanse of the wild and rugged south-west. After time to completely absorb the scenery, we have the option of taking a track through the saddle and North Col and sidle past Lion Head to Lake Nancy where we can have a well deserved lunch while enjoying the views north-west towards Mt. Mary and the mighty Franklin River. In the afternoon we return to our comfortable camp at Lake Tahune and enjoy another hearty meal high up in the Tasmanian wilderness. Walking Distance: 3 km | Walking Time: 4-7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning gives us the opportunity to summit Frenchman's Cap once more if inclement weather held us back yesterday. We then return on rough track through diverse forests and mountain passes to the stunning camp at Lake Vera. Our packs are feeling lighter today and we have a spring in our step that only a Tasmanian bushwalker truly understands; There's nothing like five days in the wilderness to clear your head and energise your soul! It is well worth returning to Lake Vera, a magical campsite nestled below the dominating forested heights of the White Needle and Philps Peak. Tonight your guides will prepare our last evening meal in the wilderness, and we enjoy our final night out under the stars. Walking Distance: 6 - 9 km | Walking Time: 3-5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we pack up camp and return across the Loddon Plains to the trail head. This morning's walk enables us to take in the epic mountainous landscape we have explored over the last five days, and reflect upon all we have achieved. We clean our bushwalking gear at the wash down station – to prevent the spread of plant diseases – then board our awaiting bus. We drive back to Launceston, via the scenic Central Highlands and Great Lake, stopping for lunch along the way, reaching Launceston between approximately 5:30 to 6:30pm. Our two drop-off points in Launceston are the Grand Chancellor and the Penny Royal. After a hot shower and donning fresh clothes, you may like to meet up with your fellow bushwalking companions at one of Launceston's great eateries for a celebratory dinner. Walking distance 16 km | Walking time 6-7 hours

Meals:  B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 2 professional wilderness guides
  • 4 nights camping
  • 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, snacks and hot drinks
  • Transport by private minibus
  • National Park fees
  • Tent, inflatable sleeping mat and gaiters
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking and eating equipment
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit

  • Travel to and from Launceston
  • Accommodation prior to and after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, car parking in Launceston etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Sleeping bag, back pack
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Suitability

Moderate to Challenging

6

This adventure involves trekking in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day, possibly more. You will carry a full pack weighing up to 20kg. Your pack will be heavier as the start of the trip, and will get lighter as you eat the food in your pack. With remoteness comes potential to encounter variable weather conditions, including rain and strong winds. You will need an excellent level of fitness and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions and remote locations where evacuation may be very difficult. The trail can be wet and/or muddy in sections, and very steep at times. Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of strenuous exercise 4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weight (up to 22kgs). At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best exercise for our more challenging treks is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions.

Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
Note:
A high season supplement applies from 1 December to 15 February, and for any trip that overlaps a public holiday.
DN2
Please note that permits for dates from 1 December 2024 have not yet been released. The dates are tentative based on permits being secured.

Priceper person from

$2595AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Tent SupplementAUD$50
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Frenchmans Cap Trek trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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No. We will not have access to power along the track. We suggest you bring the required number of rechargeable packs you require for your devices.

This trek commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing at 3pm on the day before departure. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing and that you bring along all of the gear/clothing required for your expedition with you.

The terrain is rugged and remote. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. You will walk through heathland, Eucalypt forest, rainforest, moorland, and exposed alpine plateaus. There will be some steep walking and scrambles on the ascent to the summit. With the wild weather of Tasmania there is a large chance you will encounter wet and muddy paths.

For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 75-90 litres in capacity. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be between 18-22 kg.

The Frenchman's Cap Trek is a moderate to challenging walk so you will need to have an excellent level of fitness. You will be carrying a full pack while trekking in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. Previous multi day hiking experience is highly recommended, as is previous experience on a full pack trek. If you have any questions about your suitability please give us a call and speak with one of our staff members. We are more than happy to discuss additional information about what you can expect.

Tasmania’s south west is renowned for its wild, unpredictable weather. The trip runs between December and March when we have the best chance for warmer temperatures, but you are likely to experience all sorts of weather on the Frenchman's Cap Trek. This region often experiences extreme and rapidly changing weather. You’ll likely to encounter wild winds, heavy rain and sunshine (often all in one single day). You will need to be prepared to walk in all weather conditions as winds, steady rain, and even snow in elevated areas, can occur at any time of year.

We suggest asking your pre/post tour accommodation about car parking or there are secure carparks in Launceston where you can pre-book a spot.

Trip reviews

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.