Franklin, huon valley tasmania. the huon valley town was named after sir john and lady jane franklin, who lived in the town and commuted to hobart in a wooden boat named huon pine. once an apple orchard area, franklin is surrounded by small farms and the town itself retains the aura of a former port.. The wooden boat centre is a boat building and visitor centre at franklin, in tasmania’s south. franklin is an historic huon valley town, 40 minutes’ drive south of hobart (45 kilometres). sitting on the banks of the huon river, the wooden boat centre comprises the wooden boat discovery centre and wooden boat school.. Courses - general information. our courses seek to extend traditional wooden boatbuilding knowledge and skills. they are designed for those seeking either recreational experience in relation to wooden boat building or for those wishing to enter the boat building industry.. ...