Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

The best part of this Strahan cruise is the change in mood when Spirit of the Wild switches to electric motors. The engine noise drops away, and the Gordon River feels wonderfully still. You glide past rainforest, dark water and reflections inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

I like the quiet electric cruising and the well-planned visit to Sarah Island. The first gives you a rare chance to hear the river itself. The second adds a human story to all that scenery, with a guided walk and theatrical presentation about Tasmania’s convict shipyard.

The main drawback is the weather. Western Tasmania can be cold, wet and windy, and poor conditions may cloud the windows or make the outside decks uncomfortable. Bring a warm jacket, and remember that a gloomy day can limit the views even when the cruise still runs.

Key points at a glance

• Hells Gates first look: Pass through the narrow entrance where the Southern Ocean meets Macquarie Harbour.
• Electric Gordon River cruising: Spirit of the Wild uses hybrid propulsion to reduce noise on the river.
• Sarah Island on foot: Take a guided walk and watch a theatrical presentation about the former penal colony.
• Chef-prepared lunch: Morning departures include a buffet lunch, with vegetarian choices available.
• Choose your seating: Main Deck has three seating levels, while the Premier Upper Deck adds drinks and a more premium setup.
• A six-hour wilderness day: The cruise leaves Strahan at 8:00 am and returns to the same terminal.

Why the Gordon River feels different from the start

Strahan is the launch point for a water journey into one of Tasmania’s most protected areas. You board at 24 Esplanade for an 8:00 am departure, then leave the waterfront behind aboard Spirit of the Wild, a large catamaran designed for the Gordon River.

The vessel matters here. Its hybrid propulsion system allows quiet cruising once you reach the river. You can sit behind floor-to-ceiling windows, step outside for fresh air, or climb to the 360-degree Viewing Deck when conditions are good. The boat also has interpretive material, including maps, photographs and guidebooks, so you can follow where you are going instead of simply watching the water slide past.

The seating is allocated, which removes the usual rush to grab a decent chair. Main Deck passengers can choose among three seating levels when booking. The Premier Upper Deck costs more, but includes drinks and a more polished service level. The basic listed price is $111.17 per person, though the final amount depends on the seating category you select.

I see the seating choice as the main value decision. If you mainly want the river, commentary and Sarah Island, a Main Deck category should do the job. The vessel has large windows and plenty of deck space. If you want included drinks, a quieter premium setting and a more indulgent day, the upper deck may be worth the extra cost.

Hells Gates and the mouth of Macquarie Harbour

The first major sight is Hells Gates, the narrow opening between Macquarie Harbour and the Southern Ocean. The gap is only about 240 feet, or 80 metres, wide. Its name comes from the danger early sailors faced when trying to enter or leave the harbour.

This is a short visual lesson in western Tasmania’s geography. The wide harbour suddenly funnels into a tight passage, and the open sea lies just beyond it. The boat pauses long enough for you to take in the scale and hear the story from the onboard guides.

After passing Hells Gates, Spirit of the Wild crosses Macquarie Harbour toward the lower Gordon River. The route passes trout and salmon farms and follows a waterfront lined with rainforest. This stretch is less about one dramatic attraction and more about watching the scene gradually change from open harbour to enclosed river.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire crossing looking through a screen. The best moments may be the small ones: mist over the water, a break in the clouds, or a clean reflection beneath the trees. The Gordon River is often at its most striking when nothing appears to be happening.

Quiet cruising through the Gordon River

The Gordon River is the heart of the trip. Spirit of the Wild’s electric motors let the crew reduce the usual mechanical rumble, giving the guides a better setting for their stories and giving you a better chance to hear birds, water and wind.

The quiet is not just a technical feature. It changes how you experience the place. A loud boat can make wilderness feel like scenery viewed from a machine. With the electric system engaged, the river has more presence. The dark water, dense forest and reflections become the focus.

The cruise spends about three hours on the Gordon River portion of the day, including the guided interpretation. You can move between the indoor viewing areas and the decks, though cold and wind may keep you inside. Floor-to-ceiling windows are useful in bad weather, but wet conditions can still affect visibility. One practical weakness is that the windows may fog or collect rain, and there is no special system described for keeping every pane clear.

A dull day does not ruin the river, but it changes the experience. The reflections may be harder to see, and the forest can look more muted. On a calm day, the water can mirror the trees in a way that gives the cruise its most memorable visual moment. If you have flexibility in your schedule, weather is a real factor in deciding when to go.

The onboard guides provide regular commentary about the river, the surrounding wilderness and the places along the route. This makes the cruise more useful than a simple scenic ride. You learn why the area is protected and how people have used Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River over time.

Sarah Island puts the scenery into human terms

Sarah Island is the second major part of the day, and it gives the cruise a needed change of pace. You leave the boat for about an hour and walk through the remains of a former penal colony dating from the 1820s and 1830s.

The island was once feared as one of Tasmania’s harshest convict settlements. Its story is not presented as a dry museum lecture. A guide leads the walk, and a theatrical presentation brings the past into sharper focus. Dave is specifically praised for his presentation of Sarah Island, so you may find the stop especially engaging when he is leading the program.

One detail makes Sarah Island more surprising: it was also an important Australian shipyard. Convicts built vessels there, turning the island into a working industrial site as well as a prison settlement. That contrast helps explain why the stop is worth your time. You are not just looking at ruins. You are seeing how forced labour, shipbuilding and remote geography shaped the area.

The walk is short compared with the cruise, but it is not an optional extra. Admission is included, and the schedule is tightly organized so the full boatload can move through the stop. Wear shoes suited to walking and bring your jacket. The island can feel exposed compared with the sheltered cabin.

I like the balance here. The Gordon River offers silence and nature. Sarah Island offers difficult human stories, dark humour and a clear sense of place. Together, they make a stronger day than either a scenic cruise or a history walk alone.

Lunch, service and choosing your seat

A chef-prepared buffet lunch is included on the morning cruise. It is served onboard, which keeps the day moving and saves you from spending your limited time ashore looking for food. Vegetarian options are available, and the meal is generally described as a strong part of the experience.

Main Deck passengers can purchase drinks from a cash bar. Drinks are included on the Premier Upper Deck, which helps explain some of the price difference. If you plan to have wine or several soft drinks, calculate that cost before deciding which seating category offers better value.

The service is another strong point. The crew handles boarding, meal service, commentary and movement between the boat and Sarah Island with care. The boat is kept tidy and comfortable, and staff are frequently praised for being friendly and well organized.

Still, this is a boat carrying up to 190 people. On a full departure, the experience will feel less private than it does on a quiet day. Allocated seats prevent a scramble, but they cannot remove the presence of a large group. The Premier Upper Deck may offer a calmer feel, while Main Deck is the more sensible choice for a budget-conscious booking.

You are free to go outside for views and fresh air. That sounds simple, but it is one of the best features of the setup. The windows protect you from rain, while the decks let you experience the cold air and open space when the weather cooperates. Pack layers rather than relying on one heavy coat.

What the six-hour schedule feels like

The full experience lasts about six hours, but it does not feel like six hours in one seat. The day breaks into several distinct parts:

• Departure from Strahan and the run toward Hells Gates
• The crossing of Macquarie Harbour
• Quiet cruising on the lower Gordon River
• Lunch and onboard commentary
• The guided Sarah Island visit and theatrical presentation
• The return journey to Strahan

The Gordon River section is listed at about three hours, Sarah Island at about one hour, and the final terminal stop at about 15 minutes. The remaining time covers the harbour crossings, boarding, meal service and transitions.

That timing makes this a substantial half-day outing rather than a quick scenic loop. Plan your day around it. You will return to the Strahan cruise terminal, not to a hotel, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

At the end, you can enjoy complimentary tastings of local produce in the terminal and browse souvenirs and gifts. This final 15-minute stop is brief, but it gives you a chance to stretch, collect something local and regain your bearings before exploring the Strahan waterfront.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to anyone who wants to see the western Tasmanian wilderness without arranging several separate activities. Nature lovers get the river, reflections and rainforest. History fans get Hells Gates, Sarah Island and the convict shipyard story. Families get a clear schedule, lunch and a boat with restrooms.

It also suits older visitors who prefer a comfortable base for most of the day. A 90-year-old can enjoy the harbour and river without long stretches of strenuous walking, though Sarah Island does involve leaving the boat for a guided visit. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed.

The cruise may not suit you if you dislike organized group activities or need complete control over the pace. The boat leaves at a fixed time, the Sarah Island visit follows a set program, and a maximum of 190 passengers can be onboard. It is also a poor match for anyone hoping to spend the whole day in bright sun on an exposed deck. Western Tasmania does not promise that kind of weather.

The 96 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 1,578 reviews point to a consistently well-liked experience, especially for staff, food, commentary and scenery. The occasional lower score centers on poor visibility in wet weather, not on the core route itself. That distinction matters. The cruise cannot control the clouds, but you should understand the weather risk before paying.

Is the Premier Upper Deck worth the extra money?

The upper deck is a comfort upgrade, not a different route. You still see Hells Gates, cruise the Gordon River, visit Sarah Island and eat lunch onboard. The difference is the setting, service and included drinks.

The Premier package has been priced around $350 in some bookings, far above the $111.17 starting price. That is a serious jump. I would choose it for a special occasion, for a long day when personal space matters, or if you want drinks included and prefer the best available seating.

For most people, Main Deck offers better value. The boat’s design gives all passengers access to large windows and outside viewing areas. Allocated seats also mean you do not need to sprint onboard for a good position.

Ask yourself what you are really buying. If it is access to the wilderness and the stories, the standard option delivers the essentials. If it is a more relaxed, premium day with fewer compromises, the upper deck can make sense.

Practical details before you book

The cruise departs at 8:00 am from 24 Esplanade in Strahan and returns to that same meeting point. Allow the full six hours, then add a little breathing room if you have another activity booked later.

The boat has restrooms, indoor seating, deck space and a 360-degree Viewing Deck. It operates near public transportation, though hotel transfers are not included. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity requires a minimum number of participants.

Cancellation is allowed for a full refund up to three full days before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Gordon River Cruise from Strahan?

Yes, if you want one well-organized day that combines wilderness, local history, quiet water travel and lunch. The electric cruising is the real signature feature, while Sarah Island keeps the outing from becoming scenery without context.

Book the Main Deck if value matters most. Consider the Premier Upper Deck for a special occasion or if included drinks and a more premium setting justify the added price. Either way, bring warm layers, keep your weather expectations realistic and leave room in your schedule for the full six hours.

FAQ

Where does the Gordon River Cruise depart from?

It departs from 24 Esplanade, Strahan, Tasmania 7468, Australia.

What time does the cruise start?

The morning cruise starts at 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about six hours.

What boat is used for the cruise?

The cruise operates aboard Spirit of the Wild, a catamaran with a hybrid propulsion system and electric motors for quiet cruising on the Gordon River.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The morning cruise includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are included if you travel on the Premier Upper Deck. Main Deck passengers can buy drinks from a cash bar.

Does the cruise visit Sarah Island?

Yes. You go ashore for about one hour, take a guided walk and watch a theatrical presentation about the former penal colony and shipyard.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the Strahan meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.