Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The best part of this six-hour trip is the moment the boat’s electric motor goes quiet on the Gordon River. You hear the water, see dark reflections beneath the rainforest, and understand why this corner of western Tasmania was worth fighting to protect. I especially like the peaceful, low-noise cruising and the way the day combines scenery with real history at Sarah Island. The main drawback is simple: west-coast weather can be cold, wet, and windy, and the two shore walks are far more enjoyable with proper rain gear.

I also like that lunch is served while you are still moving through Macquarie Harbour, rather than taking time away from the river. Guides bring the past to life with character-based presentations involving Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin, though some onboard video commentary may feel less polished than the live guiding.

Key points

• The electric motor matters: Quiet cruising lets you hear the Gordon River and keeps engine noise from getting between you and the forest.
• Hells Gates adds drama: The cruise passes the narrow entrance where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean.
• Sarah Island is the history highlight: A lively guided walk reveals its convict settlement and shipbuilding past.
• Heritage Landing is short but beautiful: Raised walkways lead through rainforest with sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and ancient Huon pine.
• Lunch is part of the sightseeing: The chef-prepared buffet is served onboard, with drinks available from the licensed bar.
• Choose your seat carefully: Main Deck tickets offer comfort and access to open-air decks, while Premier Upper Deck adds leather recliners, a private viewing deck, lounge access, and complimentary drinks.

Why the Gordon River feels different from an ordinary boat trip

Strahan sits beside Macquarie Harbour, a huge stretch of water bordered by western Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness. This is not a quick scenic spin around a bay. The route moves from open harbour to the narrow channel at Hells Gates, then across to the Gordon River and its rainforest-lined waters.

I like the changing mood of the trip. Macquarie Harbour feels broad and exposed, especially in wind. The Gordon River is quieter and more enclosed, with trees reaching down toward the water and reflections that can look almost painted on calm days.

The boat is designed for sightseeing. Full-length windows give you a clear view from inside, while open-air decks let you step outside for photographs and fresh air. Seating is allocated, but you can move around the vessel and use the viewing areas during the cruise.

The hybrid electric motor is one of the most useful features, not just a technical talking point. On a quiet stretch of the Gordon, low engine noise helps you notice the water and birdlife. It also makes the commentary easier to hear and gives the river a calmer feel.

Leaving Strahan for Hells Gates

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal at 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure. The grey Spirit of the Wild docks behind the terminal, and you can collect your boarding pass on the day or in advance.

The first section takes you through Macquarie Harbour toward Hells Gates. This entrance has a fearsome name for good reason. It is where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean, and the water can become rougher and more exposed than it is farther inside.

I would not treat this section as a guarantee of wild waves. Conditions change, and calm weather can make the passage quite gentle. Still, Hells Gates gives the cruise a useful sense of place. You are seeing the natural entrance that shaped the harbour’s shipping, fishing, and penal-colony stories.

The vessel handles both calmer river water and more open harbour conditions smoothly. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual precautions and choose a seat where you can see the horizon. You can also step onto the decks when conditions allow.

Macquarie Harbour, fish farms, and a moving lunch

After Hells Gates, the route crosses Macquarie Harbour toward fish farms. The onboard commentary explains the salmon and trout industry on Tasmania’s west coast, including the chance to taste some of the produce.

This section gives the day more substance than a simple forest cruise. You see how people use the harbour today, then hear how the same waterways supported earlier industries and settlements. The mix of nature, working waters, and local stories helps you understand western Tasmania as a lived-in place, not just a scenic backdrop.

Lunch is a chef-prepared buffet served onboard. The selection can include dishes such as chicken, salads, and other hot and cold items, with the food set up for efficient service. It is a generous convenience on a long cruise, especially since you can eat while the scenery continues outside.

I would collect your food before the busiest rush if you want the fullest choice. One late serving had run short of chicken and lost the feta from a beetroot and feta salad, a minor problem rather than a major failure, but a useful reminder that buffet options can change as people move through the line.

The main-deck licensed galley sells drinks and snacks. You can buy items with cash or card, while Premier Upper Deck tickets include a complimentary open bar with Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee. The Premier option also includes morning and afternoon tea with canapes.

The Gordon River and the famous reflections

The Gordon River is the emotional centre of the trip. Once the boat turns into the river, the pace feels slower and the surroundings more hushed. Dark water, dense forest, and low cloud are common parts of the west-coast experience.

On a clear, still day, you may see the famous Gordon River reflections. They are not guaranteed, and that is part of the deal. Wind, rain, and changing light can erase them, while mist can make the forest feel even more atmospheric.

The full-length windows are valuable here. Tasmania’s weather can turn quickly, so you do not have to choose between staying warm and seeing the view. Open-air decks remain the best place for unobstructed photographs, but take a warm layer and rain jacket before stepping outside.

The commentary uses live guides, filmed material, and character-based interpretation. Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin help frame the stories of exploration, settlement, and conservation. Some passengers have found the video material a little amateur compared with the live guides, but the spoken commentary and the changing scenery remain the stronger parts.

Heritage Landing: a gentle rainforest walk

Heritage Landing is the first shore excursion. The walk follows raised boardwalks through temperate rainforest, so you are not scrambling over rough ground or following a long bush track.

This is a short walk, but it earns its place. From the boat, the forest can look like one solid wall of green. On the boardwalk, you can look closely at the different tree species and understand how the forest is structured.

Look for sassafras and myrtle, then watch for the ancient Huon pine described as the pride of the forest. Ferns and other rainforest plants fill the spaces below the larger trees. The setting is cool, damp, and often dim, which is why a warm layer matters even on a pleasant morning in Strahan.

Sturdy shoes are a good idea. The walk is accessible from the main deck arrangements, but the tour’s accessibility is limited to the main deck. Wheelchairs can be accommodated there, while mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size.

The walk does not provide a long wilderness hike. If you want several hours on a remote trail, this is not that kind of outing. Its value is easy access to an ancient rainforest within a tightly planned cruise.

Sarah Island, where the past gets personal

Sarah Island is the most memorable stop for many people, and I can see why. The island was once a penal colony and shipyard, and its ruins make the convict story feel immediate rather than abstract.

The guided walk uses the remaining structures and open ground to explain what happened here. You hear about the settlement, the people sent there, and the shipbuilding work carried out in a place that now feels quiet and isolated.

The guide makes a big difference. Guides named Josh, Shannon, Maggie, Margaret, Louise, Sarah, and Lyel have all led strong presentations at different times, so the exact person on your departure may vary. The best guides combine facts with humour and energy, helping you picture the hard conditions without turning the stop into a dry lecture.

The walk can be especially appealing if you know little about Tasmanian colonial history. It also adds a darker edge to the day. The Gordon River is peaceful, but Sarah Island reminds you that this region was once associated with punishment, forced labour, isolation, and survival.

Wear shoes with a solid grip and bring rain protection. The weather can change while you are ashore, and the walk is less comfortable if you arrive in light clothing expecting a warm, dry morning.

Choosing between Main Deck and Premier Upper Deck

There are three seating choices: Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window, and Premier Upper Deck.

Main Deck Central is the practical choice if you care most about the overall route, the shore stops, and keeping the price down. You still receive the cruise, guides, buffet lunch, and access to open-air areas.

Main Deck Window is better if you want a dependable indoor view during wet or cold weather. The full-length windows help you keep watching the river without standing outside for long periods.

Premier Upper Deck is a comfort upgrade rather than a different itinerary. You receive premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and a private lounge area. The included open bar, tea, coffee, canapes, and morning and afternoon tea make it more appealing if you enjoy a quieter, more polished day onboard.

At $109 per person for the standard experience, the cruise offers good value because it bundles six hours on the water, lunch, two guided shore walks, and the live interpretation. The Premier fare costs more, so I would choose it only if the extra food, drinks, privacy, and seating comfort matter to you.

You can still move around the boat with a standard ticket. That reduces the risk of choosing the wrong seat, although allocated seating means you should not expect to claim any seat you like at boarding.

Weather, timing, and practical comfort

Allow the full six hours. The morning starts early, and you return to the Strahan meeting point at the end of the cruise, so this is the main activity for the day rather than a quick add-on.

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring a rain jacket plus a warm layer. Western Tasmania is known for changeable conditions, and the trip continues in rain and wind. Wet weather can make Hells Gates more dramatic, but it can also make the shore walks chilly.

The boat has restrooms onboard. The closest accommodation is Strahan Village, less than two minutes from the terminal, which makes the early check-in easier if you stay there.

If you drive in, all-day Pay and Display parking is about 250 metres from the terminal. Bring coins worth about AUD 10. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the wharf.

Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat. The main deck is wheelchair accessible, but mobility scooters cannot be taken onboard. English is the tour language, and the experience includes a live guide.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Strahan for the first time, especially if you want one organised day that covers the harbour, river, rainforest, and convict history.

It suits couples, families with older children, and visitors who prefer comfortable sightseeing to a demanding hike. The two walks are manageable, while the boat provides warmth, seating, toilets, food, and shelter between stops.

It is also a strong choice for anyone interested in conservation. The wilderness is not presented as pretty scenery alone. The route shows why the Gordon River matters, while the quiet motor helps reduce the sense that you are intruding on the setting.

You may prefer a different activity if you want a small boat, a private guide, or a long independent bushwalk. This is a polished, scheduled cruise with allocated seats, onboard commentary, and a set route. Some people will find the six-hour format a little long if they are not interested in history or scenic cruising.

Should you book the Gordon River cruise?

Yes, if you have one full day in Strahan and want the best all-round introduction to Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. The quiet electric cruising, good buffet lunch, Heritage Landing boardwalk, and lively Sarah Island tour work well together.

Book the standard Main Deck option if value matters most. Consider Premier Upper Deck if you expect cold weather, want a more comfortable seat, or will make good use of the drinks and lounge access.

Bring rainwear even when the forecast looks friendly. If you do that, the weather becomes part of the story rather than the reason the day falls short. For a single western Tasmania outing, this cruise gives you scenery, history, food, and two chances to step ashore without requiring strenuous walking.

FAQ

Where does the Gordon River cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the main wharf in Strahan. Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal and look for the grey Spirit of the Wild behind the terminal.

What time should I arrive?

Check in at 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure. You can also collect your boarding pass the day before.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise and shore excursions take about six hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The experience includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch served onboard. Drinks and snacks on the main deck are available to purchase.

What drinks are included?

Standard tickets do not include drinks from the bar. Premier Upper Deck tickets include Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee, along with morning and afternoon tea and canapes.

What are the two shore excursions?

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

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the main deck is wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of size limitations.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, and a warm layer. Weather on Tasmania’s west coast can change quickly, especially when you leave the vessel for the rainforest and Sarah Island.

Is parking available near the terminal?

Yes. All-day Pay and Display parking is about 250 metres from the terminal. It is suggested that you bring coins totalling about AUD 10.