Lavamünd to Slovenia

It’s been “Raft ahoy!” on the Drau for 20 years!

(Bild: Hronek Eveline)

The power rafts have been navigating the Drau from Lavamünd to Unterdrauburg in Slovenia for 20 years now! Even weddings are possible on the raft. 

Based on an old tradition, Robert Paulitsch and several colleagues founded the St. Georgener Kraftholzflößer 20 years ago: "Lavamünd used to be a base for rafting. Back then, goods were transported on the Drau as far as Osijek, where the river flows into the Danube."

Founding father Robert Paulitsch with his power wood rafts.(Bild: Hronek Eveline)

Rafting has been back on the Drau for two decades now. And they have developed into a real tourist attraction. Paulitsch: "Originally it was just for fun. But it was immediately well received." So well, in fact, that the Kraftholzer have now built five rafts.

"Our watercraft are made of fir wood because this type of wood lasts a very long time under water." There is a smaller cultural raft for 40 passengers, which sets sail from Lake Lavamünde to the Liaunig Museum. The large raft for 80 guests waits in Rabenstein and floats to Unterdrauburg. Only trained captains are at the helm. "Whatever the weather, the rule always applies: stay on course and go slowly," explains Paulitsch.

The Draufloß team with landlady Bettina Sulzer-Gallant and the young musicians Fabio and Selina, who entertain on the harmonica.(Bild: Hronek Eveline)

Gerhard Apaunig is also a man of the first hour: "It's just great fun. The important thing is that our guests have fun."

Weddings on the raft also possible
Thousands of people travel down the river every year. "Many are amazed at how beautiful the landscape on the Drau is," says Bettina Sulzer-Gallant, chairwoman of the tourism association: "Since last year, it has also been possible to get married on the raft."

Like the team at Gasthof Adlerwirt, the manager of Gasthof-Café Bettina takes care of her guests' well-being: "We offer a wide variety of culinary delights." Fabio and Selina entertain on the harmonica. At the anniversary celebration on Sunday, May 5 (11.30 am), the motto in Rabenstein is: "Cast off!"