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

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
Mountain River Flower Patch
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Mountain River Flower Patch

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)
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
Home Hill Winery
Food & Drink

Home Hill Winery

A boutique vineyard and award-winning restaurant in Ranelagh where cool-climate wines meet fresh Tasmanian produce. Stunning vineyard views, rammed earth architecture and a relaxed cellar-door make it a must-visit for wine lovers.

38 Nairn Road, Ranelagh TAS 7109
1.5–3 hours
Free entry
Year-round, ideal for lunch

Come down for air

Come visit the Huon Valley and stay at Boat Reflections