Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The best part of this cruise is the quiet run into the Gordon River. The boat’s electric motor lets you hear the water, wind, and rainforest instead of a diesel engine, just when the scenery turns wild and still. I like the Heritage Landing boardwalk for its close look at Huon pine and rainforest, and I like the Sarah Island walk for turning convict history into a vivid story rather than a list of dates. The catch is Tasmania’s west coast weather: wind, rain, and cold can arrive quickly, so your clothing matters.

At $109, this is a full six-hour outing with lunch, two guided shore visits, onboard commentary, and access to the open-air decks. The main deck is comfortable and wheelchair accessible, but the Premier Upper Deck costs more and is the better choice if you want leather recliners, a private viewing deck, and an open bar.

Key points to know before you book

• The electric motor changes the river experience: The Gordon River section is remarkably quiet, making it easier to hear the guides and notice the forest.
• Sarah Island is the emotional high point: The former penal colony and shipyard comes alive through character-based interpretation and guides such as Josh, Shannon, Maggie, Margaret, Louise, and Lyel.
• Heritage Landing is a gentle rainforest walk: Elevated boardwalks lead past sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and an ancient Huon pine.
• The six-hour schedule packs in a lot: You see Hells Gates, Macquarie Harbour, fish farms, the Gordon River, Heritage Landing, and Sarah Island in one outing.
• Lunch is included, but seating is assigned: You can move around the vessel and use the decks, though your table or seat remains allocated.
• Weather is part of the deal: Bring a rain jacket, warm layer, and sturdy shoes even if Strahan looks calm at departure.

Why the Gordon River feels different from a standard boat trip

This is not simply a ride upriver to admire trees. The route combines scenery, maritime history, convict history, food, and short walks, so the day keeps changing pace.

You leave from the main wharf in Strahan and head across Macquarie Harbour toward the narrow entrance known as Hells Gates. From there, the cruise continues toward the Gordon River and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area. The boat itself helps set the mood. Its whisper-quiet electric motor is especially useful on the river, where engine noise would otherwise compete with the forest.

I like that you are not confined to your seat for six hours. Seating is allocated, but you can move to the open-air decks, walk toward the front, and look out from different sides of the vessel. Full-length windows help in wet or cold weather, while the outside decks give you the best chance to feel the wind and see the full scale of Macquarie Harbour.

The onboard presentation mixes live guiding, video clips, and character-based interpretation featuring Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin. It is a broad approach rather than a single lecture. Some of the information arrives while you are looking at the place it describes, which makes the history easier to follow.

Hells Gates and the wide waters of Macquarie Harbour

Hells Gates is the first major change in scenery. This narrow entrance is where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean, and the conditions can make the name feel well earned. On a calm day, the water may look deceptively mild. In wind and rain, the crossing gives you a much better sense of why this stretch has such a reputation.

The vessel handles both the open harbour and the quieter river well. One useful detail from the experience is that the boat remains smooth in changing conditions, although comfort depends partly on the weather and where you sit. If you feel the cold, stay near the full-length windows and keep your warm layer handy. If the water is lively, the lower main deck may feel more settled than an outside viewing position.

The cruise also passes fish farms, where the guides explain salmon and trout farming on Tasmania’s west coast. You may have the chance to taste some of the produce. This section adds a working side to the trip. You are not seeing only untouched forest and historic ruins. Macquarie Harbour is also a place where people make a living today.

Lunch on board, with a choice of seating

Lunch is served as a chef-prepared buffet during the cruise. The meal is generally praised for being tasty and ample, and it makes good practical sense on a six-hour trip. You can eat without losing the views, then return to the decks when the boat reaches a particularly attractive stretch of river.

The buffet can be busier toward the end of service. If you want the fullest choice, go when your group is called rather than waiting. One minor service issue has been reported with popular items running out late, including chicken and feta in a beetroot salad. That is not a major flaw, but it is worth knowing if you are particular about buffet timing.

Drinks and snacks are available from the licensed galley on the main deck. The standard ticket does not include them, so allow for extra spending if you want coffee, wine, beer, or something between meals.

The Premier Upper Deck includes Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wine, beer, juice, tea, espresso coffee, morning and afternoon tea, and canapes. It also provides premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and a lounge area. I would consider this upgrade for a special occasion, for anyone who dislikes standard boat seating, or for a wet-weather day when having a quieter indoor area matters.

For most people, the main deck should do the job. You still get the cruise, commentary, buffet, shore walks, windows, and open-air decks. The upgrade adds comfort and drinks rather than a different route.

Heritage Landing and the ancient Huon pine

Heritage Landing is the gentler of the two shore stops. An elevated boardwalk threads through cool temperate rainforest, letting you walk among sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and other local plant life without needing a long bush hike.

The boardwalk matters because it keeps the walk accessible and focused. You can look closely at the forest floor and tree trunks, then turn your attention upward to the canopy. The ancient Huon pine is the star of this stop. It gives you a physical sense of the age of the forest, something that is harder to grasp from the boat.

Bring sturdy footwear even though this is a managed walk. The west coast can be wet, and the boardwalk may feel slippery in poor weather. A warm layer is also useful because the forest stop can feel colder than Strahan’s wharf.

This is a short shore visit, not a demanding hike. That makes it a good fit if you want to see the rainforest without committing to a longer walk. If you are hoping for a serious wilderness trek, you may find it too brief. Its value is in the close-up look at the trees and the chance to leave the boat for a while.

Sarah Island, where the history becomes personal

Sarah Island is the more powerful stop. It was once a penal colony and shipyard, and the remains are spread across an island that can look quiet and almost peaceful. The stories are anything but peaceful.

The guided walk uses character-based interpretation and convict tales to explain what happened here. The quality of this section depends heavily on the guide, and several guides have made a strong impression, including Josh, Shannon, Maggie, Margaret, Louise, and Lyel. Their approach is lively and direct, with enough humour to keep the walk moving while still respecting the harsh subject matter.

I would give Sarah Island your full attention. The Gordon River scenery is the visual highlight, but this is the stop that gives the day its human weight. You learn about the island as a penal settlement and shipbuilding site, rather than simply seeing old ruins and moving on.

The walk is not a long wilderness hike, but you should still wear comfortable shoes. Weather can change between departure and arrival, and the island offers less shelter than the main vessel. A rain jacket is more useful than an umbrella.

Sarah Island is also the part most likely to stay with you after the cruise. The setting is remote, yet the stories are immediate. That contrast is what makes the visit work.

The Gordon River and the famous reflections

After the harbour and the two shore excursions, the Gordon River provides the quietest stretch of the day. The water, forest, and muted western Tasmanian light create the conditions for the famous Gordon River reflections.

Reflections are never guaranteed. Wind, rain, cloud, and the angle of the light all matter. Do not treat a perfect mirror surface as the only measure of a good cruise. Even in unsettled weather, the river can feel peaceful, and wet conditions may bring out darker colours in the forest.

The electric motor is especially valuable here. The quieter sailing lets you hear the commentary without straining and makes it easier to notice small details along the banks. You may want to spend part of this section outside, then return indoors when the weather turns.

The vessel has full-length windows, so you are not dependent on one narrow viewing area. Still, it is worth moving around. Your allocated seat is not a viewing restriction, and the open-air decks give you different angles on the river.

Guides, commentary, and the feel of the day

The cruise uses several forms of storytelling. Live guides explain the route and local ecology, video clips add background, and the Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin characters connect the cruise to the area’s wider past.

The commentary is usually one of the strongest parts of the outing. It covers Hells Gates, Macquarie Harbour, the fish farms, the Gordon River, Heritage Landing, and Sarah Island. You get enough context to understand what you are seeing, rather than simply being told the names of places.

Audio quality can vary depending on where you sit and how busy the boat is. If you have difficulty hearing, move closer to the guide or choose a seat with a clear view of the presentation areas. The main deck can be a better choice than an outside position when commentary matters most.

The Sarah Island guide often becomes the day’s memorable voice. Josh, Shannon, Maggie, Margaret, Louise, and Lyel are among the guides associated with especially lively presentations. Assignments can change, so you cannot book the cruise expecting one particular person, but the format gives the walk room for personality.

Is $109 a fair price?

At $109 per person, the value is strong if you want a complete day rather than a short scenic cruise. Your fare covers six hours on the water, the Gordon River route, the Hells Gates section, onboard guides, buffet lunch, Heritage Landing, Sarah Island, and access to the vessel’s open decks.

You would pay more if you added a separate meal, transport to several historic sites, and a rainforest visit on your own. More important, the boat solves the practical problem of reaching places that are not simple roadside stops. You see the harbour, river, rainforest, and island as parts of one connected route.

The standard fare is the sensible choice for most people. The Premier Upper Deck is easier to justify if you value premium seating, a private viewing deck, a lounge, and included alcoholic drinks and coffee. It is not necessary for the scenery, since main-deck passengers can still use the windows and outside areas.

This is not a bargain activity in the narrow sense. It is a full half-day commitment. But the combination of transport, food, guiding, and access makes the price reasonable for a major Strahan outing.

Practical details for a smooth morning

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure. Look for the grey Spirit of the Wild boat behind the terminal. You can collect your boarding pass the day before if that suits your plans.

The closest accommodation listed is Strahan Village, less than a two-minute walk away. If you drive, all-day pay-and-display parking is about 250 metres from the terminal, and you are advised to bring coins totaling about AUD 10.

Wear comfortable shoes and pack a rain jacket plus a warm layer. Tasmania’s west coast weather is changeable, and the shore walks may be wetter or colder than the wharf. The boat has restrooms, which is useful given the length of the outing.

The main deck is wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size, and access to the Premier Upper Deck is not the same as main-deck access. Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

Free cancellation is available up to three days in advance. The cruise also requires a minimum number of participants, although cancellation for that reason is described as highly unlikely.

Who should book this Gordon River cruise?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to Strahan, couples wanting a comfortable scenic day, families with older children, and anyone who wants Tasmanian wilderness paired with real history. It also suits people who prefer an organized outing with lunch and restrooms rather than arranging several separate stops.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy short walks, guided storytelling, changing weather, and long scenic stretches. The day is active enough to keep moving, but it is not a strenuous hiking tour.

You may want to reconsider if you dislike boat travel, need complete control over your schedule, or want a long rainforest hike. The timetable is fixed, and the shore visits are purposeful but short. Poor weather can also limit how much time you want to spend outside, even though the vessel remains comfortable.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you have one day in Strahan and want the area’s main natural and historic sights in one well-organized trip. The quiet Gordon River sailing and the Sarah Island walk are the strongest reasons to go, while the buffet and comfortable boat make the long outing easy to manage.

Book the standard option for good overall value. Consider Premier Upper Deck seating if comfort, a private viewing area, and included drinks matter to you. Pack for rain, arrive early, and treat the weather as part of the west coast experience rather than a reason to stay ashore.

FAQ

How long does the Gordon River cruise take?

The experience lasts six hours, including the cruise, buffet lunch, and the two shore walks at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island.

Where does the cruise leave from?

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal at the main wharf in Strahan. Check-in is at 8:00 AM for an 8:30 AM departure, and the grey Spirit of the Wild boat docks behind the terminal.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A chef-prepared buffet lunch is included. Drinks and snacks are available separately from the licensed galley on the main deck unless you select the Premier Upper Deck option, which includes listed drinks and canapes.

What are the two shore excursions?

You visit Heritage Landing for a rainforest boardwalk walk and Sarah Island for a guided walk through the former convict settlement and shipyard.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The main deck is wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of size limits.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring comfortable or sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, and a warm layer. Weather on Tasmania’s west coast can change quickly, and the rainforest and island may feel cold or wet.