King River
Also known as: King Gorge
King River Gorge, temperate rainforest, thousands of Huon Pine and King Billy Pine, Garfield River, West Coast Wilderness Railway, Teepookana, mining relics
Is there water?
Whether there is a river here on your dates, and what kind of water it is.
Hydro-regulated: Crotty Dam impounds Lake Burbury; John Butters PS ~8 km below dam releases into the King, guaranteeing rapid levels
Year-round (hydro-regulated)
Year-round - flow guaranteed by Hydro Tasmania (John Butters Power Station releases)
Cold hydro-release water; wetsuit, booties, helmet, lifejacket provided by operator
Rain common (temperate rainforest); cold water; sudden hydro release changes below dam
Grade & who can come
A river changes grade with its level. These grades describe a normal flow - in flood the same run is harder, and often a different run entirely. Check the gauge before you commit.
Grade II-III gorge (operator); Sailor Jack Rapid Grade IV (portaged)
Raft (commercial guided) / kayak
Half-day gorge only via King River Gorge Raft & Steam (exit Dubbil Barril, return by West Coast Wilderness Railway) vs full-day King for the Day
Families with stronger children; min age 11; must swim competently and follow English instructions; not suitable if pregnant
The run
Sailor Jack Rapid - feisty Grade IV, always portaged via short steep walk with existing steps, ropes and ladders (required at medium-high levels)
Mandatory Sailor Jack portage; hydro release surges - Hydro Tasmania warns to avoid King River below Crotty Dam / Lake Burbury; cold water
King River Gorge - Newall Creek to lower reaches
Low; Tasmania's only regular one-day wilderness rafting trip, small guided groups (max 30)
Access & shuttle
Commercial tour fee - Adults ~$260, Children (11-17) ~$190. Confirm. Land partly Hydro/Crown
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Put-in Newall Creek (guide-driven from Queenstown); take-out lower reaches / near Teepookana; start-end at WCWR station, Driffield St, Queenstown
Operator bus transfer to/from river from Queenstown
None (single-day guided trip)
Operator supplies all rafting/safety gear, lunch, snacks, water; no mobile signal in gorge
Queenstown hub; King River Rafting; West Coast Wilderness Railway; Strahan nearby
Hazards & exits
Mandatory Sailor Jack portage; hydro release surges; cold, remote, no signal; strong swimming/English comprehension required
Remote gorge; West Coast Wilderness Railway line at Dubbil Barril provides mid-route exit; guides manage rescue
Guided commercial only (King River Rafting); trained guides, min group 4
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand river run report. Coordinates are approximate.