Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The most memorable part of this Gordon River cruise is the change in sound. Macquarie Harbour can feel broad and exposed near Hell’s Gates, but once the boat reaches the Gordon River, the electric motor lets the forest take over. You hear water, birds, and the occasional voice from the guide rather than a constant engine rumble.

I like the clever mix of scenery and history. Heritage Landing gives you a short, manageable walk among myrtle, sassafras, and ancient Huon pine, while Sarah Island adds the darker story of convict life and shipbuilding. The main drawback is Tasmania’s west coast weather. Rain and cold can arrive quickly, so you need proper outdoor clothing even when Strahan looks pleasant.

Key points

• A quiet Gordon River crossing: The electric motor makes the forest section calm and easy to appreciate.
• Two worthwhile shore visits: Walk the rainforest boardwalk at Heritage Landing, then explore Sarah Island with a lively local guide.
• Hell’s Gates adds contrast: See where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean before heading into sheltered river country.
• Lunch is part of the sightseeing: The chef-prepared buffet lets you eat without giving up much cruising time.
• Three seating choices: Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window, or Premier Upper Deck with leather recliners and a private viewing area.
• Allow six hours: Check in by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure from Strahan’s main wharf.

Why the Gordon River cruise earns its place in your Strahan plans

At $109 per person, this is not a quick scenic boat ride. You are paying for roughly six hours on the water, a prepared lunch, two guided walks, onboard interpretation, and access to one of Tasmania’s most protected wilderness areas.

I think the value is strongest if you have only a short stay in Strahan. The cruise gathers several west coast sights into one well-organised day: Hells Gates, Macquarie Harbour, fish farms, the Gordon River, Heritage Landing, and Sarah Island. You do not have to arrange separate transport or work out how to reach the remote shore stops.

The vessel is also part of the appeal. It is built for sightseeing, with full-length windows and open-air decks. Seating is assigned, but you can move around the boat and use the viewing areas. That matters because the best view changes as the boat turns, enters narrower water, or approaches a shore stop.

The main question is how much comfort you want. Main Deck Central is the basic option. Main Deck Window gives you a better fixed view. Premier Upper Deck adds leather recliners, a private viewing deck and lounge, full-length windows, morning and afternoon tea, canapés, and an open bar with Tasmanian wine, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee.

For most people, the standard seating is enough. You can still use the open decks and look through the windows. The premium option makes more sense if you want a quieter, more comfortable day or expect to spend much of the cruise seated.

8:00 AM check-in and the boat from Strahan

Plan to be inside the Gordon River Cruises terminal by 8:00 AM. The boat departs at 8:30 AM from the main wharf, and you are looking for the grey Spirit of the Wild, docked behind the terminal. You can collect your boarding pass the day before, which saves a little time in the morning.

If you are driving, all-day Pay and Display parking is about 250 metres from the terminal. Bring coins worth about AUD $10. If you stay at Strahan Village, the terminal is less than a two-minute walk away, which makes this early start much easier.

The six-hour schedule is full but not frantic. You have long stretches to look out through the windows, time to eat, and two shore visits. The crew keeps the day moving, though the exact timing can shift with conditions.

The vessel is wheelchair accessible on the main deck. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size. Infants travel free if they do not occupy a seat. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, since both shore stops involve uneven outdoor ground and boardwalks.

Hells Gates shows Macquarie Harbour at its roughest

The first major sight is Hells Gates, the narrow entrance where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean. The name is not subtle, and the water can make the point for you. Wind and swell are often more noticeable here than on the Gordon River.

This opening gives you useful context. Macquarie Harbour is huge, but its entrance is narrow and exposed. The cruise does not simply head straight into a calm forest river. You first see the waterway’s connection to the sea and understand why this part of western Tasmania has always demanded careful navigation.

The vessel handles both sheltered and rougher water smoothly. On a calm day, the crossing feels easy. In wind and rain, it can feel much more dramatic, so keep your rain jacket close rather than packed below.

The commentary also introduces the harbour’s working side, including salmon and trout farming. You can learn how fish farming became part of the west coast economy, with a chance to taste some of the local produce. This section gives the trip more range than a pure scenery cruise.

The Gordon River is at its best when the engine goes quiet

Once the boat reaches the Gordon River, the mood changes. The water narrows, the forest closes in, and the pace feels slower. The hybrid electric motor is especially valuable here because it reduces the mechanical noise just when you want to hear the place itself.

This is the moment to use the open-air decks. You might find the best reflection from a side window, then a clearer view from the front or upper deck a few minutes later. The famous Gordon River reflections depend on light, wind, and cloud, so nobody can promise a perfect mirror. Still, the possibility is part of the pleasure.

Full-length windows help in poor weather. You can stay warm and dry while still seeing the trees and water. On brighter days, step outside for a sharper view, but keep a warm layer handy. The west coast weather can change during the same outing, and several departures have had wet, windy conditions followed by dry spells during the walks.

The onboard guides use commentary, video clips, and character-based interpretation involving Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin. Some people will enjoy this theatrical touch; others may prefer a quieter naturalist presentation. The advantage is that the information gives the scenery a human story rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

Heritage Landing puts you among Huon pine and rainforest

At Heritage Landing, you leave the boat for a walk through temperate rainforest. Elevated boardwalks thread between the trees, so you can see the plants without needing a long or difficult bushwalk.

Look for sassafras and myrtle, then take time beside an ancient Huon pine. The Huon pine is one of the great symbols of western Tasmania, and seeing a mature tree in its protected setting gives more meaning to the region’s conservation story.

This is a short walk, not a full-day hiking route. That makes it suitable for people who want to experience the forest without committing to a demanding trail. Sturdy shoes are still a good idea, especially after rain. Boardwalks can be damp, and the air in the rainforest can feel cool even when the boat deck is comfortable.

The stop is also a useful break from sitting. The cruise has comfortable seating, but six hours is a long time to remain aboard. Heritage Landing gives you a chance to stretch your legs, breathe in the forest, and return to the boat with a better sense of the river’s setting.

Lunch works best as part of the scenery

The chef-prepared buffet lunch is served during the cruise, so you do not lose a separate block of sightseeing time. It is a practical arrangement: eat, look out at the river, then return to the deck when the view changes.

The meal is generally described as tasty, generous, and well organised. There was one occasion when people eating later found that the chicken had run out and a beetroot and feta salad had little feta left. That is a minor service issue, but it is worth noting if you prefer to choose from every dish. If lunch matters greatly to you, go through the buffet when it opens rather than waiting.

The standard fare includes the buffet lunch, while drinks and snacks on the main deck are purchased separately at the licensed galley. Bring a card or cash for the bar. The Premier Upper Deck option includes an open bar, along with morning and afternoon tea and canapés, so the upgrade is about food and drink as well as seating.

I would treat lunch as a welcome part of the day, not the reason to book. The river, rainforest, and Sarah Island carry the experience. The meal simply makes the long outing easier and more comfortable.

Sarah Island brings the human story into focus

Sarah Island is the strongest historical stop. The island was once a penal colony and shipyard, and the ruins are spread across a remote setting that makes the convict story feel immediate.

Your guide leads a walking tour through the remains and explains the island’s role in colonial Tasmania. This is not just a list of dates. The setting, the remnants, and the stories of punishment and shipbuilding give the place an unsettling edge.

The guide can make a big difference. Departures have featured engaging interpreters including Josh, Shannon, Maggie, Sarah, Margaret, Louise, and Lyel. Names and assignments vary, but the best guides use humour and drama without losing the hard facts. One practical point: outdoor commentary can be harder to hear in wind or rain, so stay reasonably close to the guide.

The walk is not a polished heritage site with buildings restored around you. You are seeing ruins and open ground. That makes the visit feel authentic, but it also means weather affects your comfort. Wear a waterproof jacket, warm layer, and sturdy shoes. If you only have time to pay close attention at one stop, make it Sarah Island.

Picking your seat without overpaying

The seating options are straightforward:

• Main Deck Central: The standard choice, with access to the vessel and open decks.
• Main Deck Window: A better fixed view from the lower level.
• Premier Upper Deck: Premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck and lounge, plus included drinks, tea, coffee, and canapés.

I would choose Main Deck Window if you want a simple sightseeing day and plan to move around often. Main Deck Central offers the best value at the base price if you are comfortable using the open decks for your views.

The Premier Upper Deck is worth considering for a special occasion, for anyone who dislikes standing in cool weather, or for people who value a quieter lounge and included drinks. It is less necessary if you are happy to walk outside and buy only what you need at the main-deck bar.

You are not locked into your assigned seat all day. Seating is ticketed, but you can use the open-air decks and other public viewing areas. That flexibility reduces the risk of choosing the wrong side of the boat.

Weather, comfort, and practical limits

Tasmania’s west coast does not promise dry skies. The weather is part of the character of the place, but you need to prepare for it rather than hope it behaves.

Bring:

• A waterproof rain jacket
• A warm layer
• Comfortable, sturdy shoes
• Coins for nearby parking if you are driving

The vessel has restrooms and indoor seating, which helps when the weather turns. Air-conditioning can feel intermittently cold, so a jacket is useful even when you remain inside.

The cruise operates in English and includes a live guide. It is wheelchair accessible on the main deck only. Mobility scooters cannot be taken aboard. The shore walks are part of the scheduled experience, so ask before booking if you have particular mobility needs that go beyond standard wheelchair access.

Free cancellation is available up to three days in advance. The cruise also requires a minimum number of people to operate. If that minimum is not reached and the departure is cancelled, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this six-hour outing

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to see several major Strahan sights in one day without arranging separate transport. It suits history fans, photographers, families with older children, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area.

It is especially good for people who enjoy variety. You get harbour navigation, fish-farm commentary, quiet river scenery, rainforest plants, convict history, lunch, and time on deck. Few parts of the day feel repetitive.

You may want a different plan if you dislike fixed schedules, prefer long independent hikes, or find six hours aboard a boat too structured. The walks are guided and relatively short, not substitutes for a full wilderness trek. Also, if you want guaranteed sunshine, western Tasmania is the wrong place to make that demand.

The consistently strongest parts are the quiet electric cruise, friendly crew, useful commentary, comfortable boat, buffet lunch, and Sarah Island walk. The recurring cautions are changeable weather, occasional difficulty hearing outdoor commentary, and the need to reach the buffet before popular dishes thin out.

Should you book the Gordon River cruise?

Yes, if you have one day in Strahan and want a well-rounded west coast experience. At $109, the price is fair for six hours of transport, guiding, lunch, two shore excursions, and access to remote places that are awkward to visit independently.

Book the standard option if you care most about scenery and history. Consider Premier Upper Deck if comfort, included drinks, and a private viewing area are central to your idea of a good day.

Bring rainwear, accept that the reflections may depend on the weather, and save your closest attention for Sarah Island and the quiet section of the Gordon River. That combination of wild scenery and uncomfortable history is what makes this more than a boat ride.

FAQ

How long does the Gordon River cruise take?

The experience lasts about six hours, including the cruise, buffet lunch, Heritage Landing walk, and Sarah Island walk.

Where does the cruise leave from?

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal at Strahan’s main wharf. Look for the grey Spirit of the Wild behind the terminal. Check-in is at 8:00 AM for an 8:30 AM departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A chef-prepared buffet lunch is included. Drinks and snacks can be purchased separately at the licensed galley on the main deck.

What are the seating options?

You can choose Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window, or Premier Upper Deck. The Premier option includes premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck and lounge, an open bar, morning and afternoon tea, and canapés.

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 rain jacket, and a warm layer. Weather on Tasmania’s west coast can change quickly, particularly when you leave the boat for the rainforest and Sarah Island.