Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The best part of this cruise is the quiet. Once the boat reaches the Gordon River, its electric motor lets you hear the water, wind, and forest instead of a constant engine growl. You also get a fine mix of scenery, food, and history in one well-organised six-hour outing.

I especially like the Sarah Island walk, where the convict settlement becomes more than a few old ruins, and the raised rainforest boardwalk at Heritage Landing, where sassafras, myrtle, and Huon pine fill the view. The main drawback is Tasmania’s west coast weather: cold rain and wind can arrive at any time, and the open decks are much less inviting without a proper jacket.

Key points before you book

• The electric-powered boat keeps the Gordon River remarkably quiet, making the forest feel far removed from modern life.
• Sarah Island is the historical high point, with lively interpretation from guides such as Maggie, Shannon, Lyell, and Josh.
• Heritage Landing gives you a short rainforest walk, with raised boardwalks and an ancient Huon pine.
• The $109 fare includes a buffet lunch, two shore visits, guides, commentary, and access to open-air viewing areas.
• Main Deck seating is comfortable and practical, while the Premier Upper Deck adds leather recliners, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks, and canapés.
• Bring warm layers and rainwear, even if Strahan looks pleasant when you leave.

Why this Gordon River cruise is worth your day

Strahan is the launch point for one of western Tasmania’s most memorable outings. The cruise crosses Macquarie Harbour, passes through Hells Gates, follows the Gordon River into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area, and adds two shore visits.

That range matters. You are not spending six hours simply looking through a window. You get open water, rainforest, convict history, a prepared meal, and several chances to step ashore and stretch your legs.

At $109 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. But it is a full half-day experience with transport on the water, two guided walks, lunch, toilets, and a trained commentary team included. I consider it good value if you have only a short stay in Strahan and want a single outing that explains both the natural and human story of the region.

The cruise is also a sensible choice for people who prefer comfort over rough adventure. The boat is modern, smooth, and fitted with full-length windows. You can sit inside, move to the open decks, or head toward the front when conditions allow.

Starting at Strahan’s main wharf

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal at 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure. Look for the grey Spirit of the Wild, which docks behind the terminal. You can collect your boarding pass the day before, which saves a little morning fuss.

If you drive, all-day Pay and Display parking is about 250 metres from the terminal. Bring coins worth about AUD 10, since that is the suggested amount for parking. Strahan Village is less than a two-minute walk away, making an overnight stay especially convenient.

Once aboard, seating is assigned. You are not locked into your seat for the whole day, though. You can move around the boat and use the open-air decks, which is important when the light changes or a good view appears.

The main deck is the practical choice for most people. It is wheelchair accessible, has comfortable seating, and includes access to the licensed galley and cash or card bar. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size, but wheelchairs can be accommodated on the main deck.

Crossing Macquarie Harbour to Hells Gates

The first stretch takes you across Macquarie Harbour toward Hells Gates, the narrow entrance where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean. The name is not just theatrical marketing. This passage has a reputation for rough water and difficult navigation, and weather makes a real difference to how dramatic it feels.

On a calm day, the crossing is smooth and spacious. In wind and rain, the harbour shows more character, though you will appreciate warm clothing and a dry place indoors. The boat handles both conditions well, but the open deck is not always comfortable in western Tasmania’s changeable weather.

The commentary explains the harbour, the entrance, and the west coast industries around it. You will also hear about salmon and trout farming, with a chance to learn about the fish farms and taste some of the local produce.

This early part of the trip gives you useful context. The harbour is not simply a pretty body of water. It connects the coast, the river, industry, shipping, conservation, and the old penal settlement at Sarah Island.

A quiet run up the Gordon River

The Gordon River is the emotional centre of the cruise. As the boat leaves the wider harbour behind, the forest closes in and the water becomes calmer. The electric motor is a real advantage here. The quiet allows the river to feel peaceful rather than staged for sightseeing.

On still days, you may see the famous Gordon River reflections, with forest and sky appearing on the dark water. They depend on weather and wind, so nobody can promise mirror-like conditions. That uncertainty is part of the appeal. A cloudy morning can turn into a calm, bright stretch later, and a drizzly start may give way to clear views.

The boat has full-length windows, so you can continue watching the river from inside. You should still step outside when possible. The open decks give you a better sense of the scale of the forest, and the front of the vessel can be a rewarding place to feel the movement of the boat.

The onboard team uses live commentary, video clips, and character-based interpretation involving Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin. The format gives the scenery a human voice and helps connect the river to exploration, settlement, conservation, and Tasmania’s convict past.

Some of the visual material may feel less polished than the boat itself, but the spoken commentary and personal delivery carry the experience. The guides are the key to making the cruise more than a scenic ride.

Heritage Landing and the rainforest boardwalk

Heritage Landing is the quieter of the two shore visits. You leave the boat for a walk through temperate rainforest on raised boardwalks. The route is designed to let you see the forest floor and tree trunks without turning the walk into a strenuous bush hike.

The trees are the point. Look for sassafras and myrtle, then take time with the ancient Huon pine described as the pride of the forest. The setting is damp, cool, and richly green, with the kind of stillness that makes you lower your voice without being asked.

This is a short walk, not an all-day trek. That makes it manageable for many ages and fitness levels, but it also means you should not expect a long wilderness hike. The value comes from access and interpretation. You get a close look at a protected rainforest without needing special hiking skills.

Wear sturdy shoes. Boardwalks can be wet, and the temperature under the trees may feel cooler than it did on the boat. A warm layer and rain jacket are more useful here than an umbrella.

Sarah Island’s convict story

Sarah Island is the most powerful stop because the history is physical. You walk among the remains of a former penal colony and shipyard, hearing about the convicts who lived and worked there.

The ruins do not need much decoration, but a good guide helps you read what is left. Guides named Maggie, Shannon, Lyell, Josh, and others have made a strong impression with lively, funny, and serious storytelling. The best delivery turns scattered stones and foundations into a clear picture of punishment, labour, shipbuilding, isolation, and survival.

This is not a polished museum visit. You are outside, walking over uneven ground, and the weather can change quickly. That is part of why the stop works. Sarah Island feels exposed, and the conditions help you understand how remote the settlement was.

The tour uses character-based interpretation, so the storytelling can be theatrical at times. I think that suits the subject, provided you want history delivered with energy rather than a quiet plaque-reading experience.

Allow yourself time to listen. The guide’s explanation is what gives the ruins meaning, and the walk is often the highlight of the whole day.

Lunch on the water

The included buffet lunch is served aboard the boat and is one of the practical strengths of the trip. You do not lose sightseeing time searching for food in Strahan, and you can eat while the scenery continues outside the windows.

The meal is described as chef-prepared, and the food has generally been praised for being tasty and ample. The exact selection can vary, and there was one report of a late diner finding that the chicken had run out and the feta had disappeared from a picked-over salad. That is a small but useful warning: if you care about the full buffet choice, do not wait until the last serving.

The Main Deck has a licensed bar selling drinks and snacks. Depending on your ticket, drinks are either purchased separately or included in the Premier Upper Deck package.

The activity information calls the included meal a buffet lunch in most places, though one section uses the word dinner. Plan on lunch during the daytime cruise.

Choosing between Main Deck and Premier Upper Deck

The standard fare is $109 per person and offers what most people need: the cruise, guides, lunch, shore walks, indoor seating, and access to the open decks.

You can choose Main Deck Central or Main Deck Window seating. Window seating makes sense if you want to stay inside during cold or wet weather, though you can still move around the boat at other times.

The Premier Upper Deck is the comfort upgrade. It includes premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and a lounge area. It also adds morning and afternoon tea, canapés, and an open bar with Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee.

I would consider Premier for a special occasion, for anyone who values a quieter lounge setting, or for a day when poor weather makes indoor comfort especially important. You do not need it to enjoy the river, though. The standard deck still gives you good views and access to the outdoor areas.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Tasmania’s west coast does not follow a neat holiday timetable. You might leave Strahan under drizzle, reach Hells Gates in wind, and find a calmer river later. You might also get a bright day with smooth water from start to finish.

Bring:

• A waterproof rain jacket
• A warm layer
• Comfortable, sturdy shoes
• Clothes that can handle wet weather

The shore visits are the moments when poor preparation becomes obvious. The boat is comfortable and protected, but Sarah Island and Heritage Landing expose you to the conditions.

Air-conditioning has occasionally felt too cold or inconsistent inside the boat. Carrying an extra layer solves that problem more easily than trying to find a warm corner.

The vessel is wheelchair accessible on the main deck only. Mobility scooters are not allowed. Infants travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to first-time visitors to western Tasmania, history fans, photographers, and anyone who wants to see the Gordon River without planning a complicated independent trip.

It suits couples, families, and older visitors who want comfort with some easy walking. The two shore visits break up the sitting time, but neither is presented as a demanding hike.

It is less suitable if you dislike group touring, fixed departure times, buffet meals, or weather exposure. You should also think twice if your only goal is a long, silent wilderness walk. This is a guided sightseeing day with commentary, video, interpretation, and scheduled stops.

The cruise works particularly well as an overnight Strahan plan. Stay close to the wharf, check in early, and keep your afternoon free after the return. The six-hour schedule gives you a full outing without requiring an early road departure from another part of Tasmania.

Should you book the Gordon River cruise?

Yes, if you want a well-run introduction to the Gordon River, especially with Sarah Island included. The combination of quiet electric cruising, a good buffet, a rainforest walk, and strong historical guiding gives the day more substance than a simple boat trip.

Book it with realistic expectations. You cannot control the weather, guarantee Gordon River reflections, or expect a long wilderness hike. But you can prepare with proper clothing, choose your seating carefully, and treat Sarah Island as a central part of the experience rather than a quick add-on.

At $109, the standard ticket offers solid value for a six-hour day. Pay extra for Premier if the lounge, open bar, recliners, and private deck matter to you. Otherwise, the Main Deck gives you the essential experience: Hells Gates, the Gordon River, Heritage Landing, Sarah Island, lunch, and a comfortable ride back to Strahan.

FAQ

How long does the Gordon River cruise take?

The experience lasts six hours, including the cruise, buffet lunch, and two shore walks.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the main wharf in Strahan. Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal at 8:00 AM for the scheduled 8:30 AM departure.

What is included in the $109 ticket?

The standard experience includes the Gordon River cruise, onboard guides, character-based interpretation, buffet lunch, the Heritage Landing walk, the Sarah Island walk, and onboard restroom access.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A chef-prepared buffet lunch is included. Drinks and snacks from the licensed Main Deck bar cost extra unless your selected Premier package includes the stated drinks.

What happens at Sarah Island?

You take a guided walk through the ruins of the former convict settlement and shipyard. The guide explains its convict past and the role it played in Tasmania’s west coast history.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The cruise is wheelchair accessible on the main deck. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of size limitations.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable sturdy shoes, a waterproof rain jacket, and a warm layer. Weather on Tasmania’s west coast can change quickly, especially when you step ashore.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund.