Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

The best part of this six-hour trip is the change in mood when Spirit of the Wild switches to electric motors on the Gordon River. The engine noise fades, and rainforest, dark water, and reflections take over. You also pass through Hells Gates, the narrow entrance to Macquarie Harbour, before reaching Sarah Island.

I like the quiet cruising and the well-planned mix of nature and history. The buffet lunch, dedicated guides, allocated seats, and access to outdoor decks make the day easy to enjoy. The main caution is weather. Cold, wind, or rain can limit outside viewing, and poor visibility through the windows can reduce the scenic payoff.

Key points

• Quiet electric cruising: Spirit of the Wild uses hybrid propulsion and electric motors on the Gordon River.
• Hells Gates crossing: See the narrow opening where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean.
• Sarah Island history: Walk ashore at the former convict penal colony and hear a lively presentation, including its shipbuilding past.
• Three seating choices: Pick from three main-deck levels or pay more for the premier upper deck.
• Chef-prepared lunch: Morning departures include a buffet lunch, with vegetarian choices available.
• A long but gentle day: The cruise lasts about six hours, with roughly three hours on the Gordon River and one hour at Sarah Island.

Why the Gordon River Cruise is worth your morning

This is not just a boat ride from Strahan. It is a full day built around one of western Tasmania’s most protected natural areas. Macquarie Harbour opens into the Southern Ocean, then narrows into waterways bordered by rainforest and World Heritage wilderness. The scenery changes slowly, which is exactly the point.

I like the pace. You are not hurried from one photo stop to the next. The boat gives you time to watch the water, listen to commentary, eat lunch, and step outside when conditions allow. The guides explain what you are seeing, so the river feels like a place with a story rather than a pretty backdrop.

The tour begins at 8:00 am from 24 Esplanade in Strahan and returns to the same terminal. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the waterfront. The full trip takes about six hours, a useful detail when planning other Strahan activities.

Boarding Spirit of the Wild in Strahan

Spirit of the Wild is a spacious catamaran designed for the Gordon River. It has floor-to-ceiling windows, several seating areas, plenty of deck space, and a 360-degree viewing deck at the top. Interpretive displays include maps, photographs, and guidebooks, giving you something useful to look at when the scenery turns grey.

Your seat is allocated, which removes the usual scramble at boarding. That is a small feature, but it matters. You can settle in without sending one person ahead to claim a window. The boat has a maximum capacity of 190 people, so the atmosphere can vary depending on how full the departure is.

The seating category affects the price and the extras. The main deck has three levels, while the premier upper deck offers a more expensive experience. Upper-deck packages include drinks, while drinks are not included on the main deck and are available from a cash bar.

The main deck is the sensible choice for many people. You still have access to the windows, outdoor areas, commentary, lunch, and Sarah Island. The premier upper deck makes more sense if you value a quieter, more spacious setting and included drinks enough to pay the premium.

Passing through Hells Gates

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 meters, wide. Early sailors gave it the grim name because of the difficult waters and the dangerous reputation of the entrance.

The crossing gives you a helpful sense of scale. Macquarie Harbour is huge, but the connection to the open sea is remarkably tight. From the boat, you can see why navigation here required care, especially before modern vessels and accurate charts.

This section is exposed to the weather. On a calm morning, it can be a dramatic start to the day. In cold or windy conditions, you may prefer to watch from inside. Bring a warm jacket if you want time on deck. A few minutes outside can be rewarding, but Tasmania’s western coast is not known for gentle weather every day.

The Gordon River in quiet mode

Once Spirit of the Wild reaches the Gordon River, the boat can switch to its electric motors. This is the heart of the trip. The reduced engine noise lets you hear the commentary more clearly and notice smaller details in the water and forest.

The river is known for still conditions and mirror-like reflections. On a clear, calm day, the trees may appear to continue below the surface. On a dull day, the mood becomes more subdued, but the cruise can still be calming and informative.

The floor-to-ceiling windows are useful in changing weather because they give you a broad view without requiring constant time outside. Still, the windows have limits. In wet or misty conditions, visibility may suffer, and water or condensation can make photographs difficult. This is the main risk of booking a scenery-focused cruise in western Tasmania, where poor weather is common.

You can move to the deck for fresh air and wider views. The 360-degree top deck is the best place to get a full sense of the river when the weather cooperates. I would treat outdoor viewing as a bonus rather than a guarantee, and dress for wind even if the morning looks mild at the terminal.

The guides provide commentary about the river and its place within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The information helps connect the forest, water, and old industry around Macquarie Harbour. You are not left to guess what you are looking at.

Sarah Island and Tasmania’s convict past

Sarah Island adds the historical weight that keeps the day from becoming scenery alone. You disembark for about an hour and walk through the site of a former penal colony from the 1820s and 1830s.

The island was once feared as one of Tasmania’s harshest convict settlements. Its isolation was part of the punishment. Yet Sarah Island was also an important shipyard, where convicts built boats. That contrast makes the stop especially interesting: a place created for control became a center of practical work and ship construction.

A guide leads the walk and presents the island’s story in a theatrical format. Dave is specifically noted for giving an entertaining presentation about Sarah Island. The style is more lively than a standard historical talk, which helps make the remains and old work sites easier to picture.

The walk is short enough to fit comfortably into the cruise day, but you should still allow for uneven outdoor conditions. The appeal is not grand architecture. Sarah Island is about atmosphere, remnants, and the story attached to the place. If you prefer natural scenery with no historical component, this may feel like a detour. I find it improves the trip by giving the river a human dimension.

There are also two short walking experiences associated with the islands and harbour area, depending on the day’s program. The Sarah Island visit is the main historical stop and the one you should prioritize when deciding if this cruise suits you.

Lunch, commentary, and the onboard routine

The morning cruise includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch. Vegetarian choices are available, and the meal is served in a way that moves passengers through efficiently. That matters on a six-hour outing because you do not lose a large part of the scenic time waiting for food.

The lunch is a useful part of the value rather than an afterthought. You can sit down, warm up, and enjoy a proper meal while the boat continues along the harbour or river. Drinks are separate on the main deck, with a cash bar available. Premier upper-deck passengers have drinks included.

Onboard restrooms are provided, another practical advantage on a long water-based excursion. The crew also offers ongoing information about the area, the river, and the islands. The best moments come when the commentary helps you notice details you would otherwise miss.

I also like the combination of allocated seats and open deck space. You have a fixed base, but you are not trapped there. Sit inside for comfort, head outside for photographs, then return to your seat for lunch or more commentary.

Choosing a deck and judging the $111.17 price

At $111.17 per person, the standard experience offers a solid full-day outing. Your fare includes the six-hour cruise, the Gordon River portion, Sarah Island, guides, onboard restrooms, quiet electric cruising, and buffet lunch. You also get the convenience of returning to the Strahan terminal without arranging separate transport between stops.

The value depends heavily on your interest in nature and local history. If you are already visiting Strahan, this trip combines several regional highlights in one organized day. The boat, meal, commentary, and shore visit save you from managing separate plans.

The premier upper deck costs more, with some packages reaching far above the standard fare. The extra can be worthwhile for people who want included drinks and a more refined setting. It is not essential for seeing the Gordon River. The main-deck levels still provide windows, commentary, lunch, and access to the decks.

I would choose the standard main deck for families, budget-conscious couples, and anyone mainly interested in the river and Sarah Island. I would consider the upper deck for a special occasion or if comfort and drinks matter more than keeping the cost down.

Weather is the key value question. On a bright, calm day, the scenery can make the fare feel easy to justify. On a rainy day, the boat remains comfortable and the history remains worthwhile, but the views may not deliver the same return. If your schedule allows, keep some flexibility rather than treating this as a guaranteed postcard day.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This tour suits you if you want a gentle, organized day with little physical strain and plenty of information. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat is also near public transport, though hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Families can manage the combination of boat travel, lunch, outdoor decks, and a short historical walk. The allocated seating helps avoid confusion with children. Older visitors may also appreciate the comfortable boat routine, onboard restrooms, and limited walking compared with a full-day hiking outing.

Nature lovers will find the quiet Gordon River section most rewarding. History fans may value Sarah Island even more than the forest. If you want both, this is one of the stronger ways to experience the Strahan area in a single morning and afternoon.

You should think twice if you dislike group tours, fixed schedules, or sitting on a boat for several hours. You should also be realistic about the weather. The boat cannot control fog, rain, wind, or poor visibility through the windows.

Small details that improve the day

Arrive ready for an 8:00 am departure at the Strahan cruise terminal. Since there is no hotel transfer, check your route to 24 Esplanade before the morning of the trip.

Wear layers and carry a warm jacket, even if you plan to remain inside. The outside decks are worth using, but wind can make the temperature feel much lower than it does at the terminal.

If photography matters to you, try both the windows and the open decks. Windows provide shelter, but reflections and wet glass can interfere with pictures. Deck views are wider, though weather can make them uncomfortable.

Main-deck drinks are not included, so bring cash for the bar. If you book the premier upper deck, drinks are included according to the package details.

At the end, allow about 15 minutes for complimentary tastings of local produce at the Gordon River Cruises terminal and time to browse souvenirs. This is a pleasant finish, but you may want to plan extra time afterward if you hope to explore the Strahan waterfront.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least three full days before the local start time. Late cancellations and changes are not refunded. The trip can also be moved or refunded if poor weather or insufficient bookings force cancellation.

Should you book the Gordon River Cruise?

I would book this cruise if you have a full day in Strahan and want the region’s major natural and historical sights handled in one calm, well-run outing. The strongest reasons are the electric-powered Gordon River section, the Sarah Island presentation, the included lunch, and the chance to move between indoor comfort and open-air viewing.

Choose the standard main deck unless the upper-deck extras matter to you. Bring warm clothes, accept that weather may shape the views, and treat the scenery as part of wild western Tasmania rather than a guaranteed sunny display.

For most visitors, this is a worthwhile Strahan activity. It gives you a quiet look at the Gordon River, a clear link to Tasmania’s convict past, and a practical day on the water without requiring strenuous walking.

FAQ

Where does the Gordon River Cruise depart from?

The cruise 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 approximately six hours and returns to the Strahan cruise terminal.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Drinks are not included for main-deck passengers, although a cash bar is available. Drinks are included when you travel on the premier upper deck.

Does the boat use electric power?

Yes. Spirit of the Wild has a hybrid propulsion system and uses electric motors for quiet cruising on the Gordon River.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least three full days before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than three full days before departure are not refunded.