Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The quietest part of this six-hour cruise may also be the best: once the boat reaches the Gordon River, its electric motor lets you hear the water, birds, and forest instead of a diesel engine. The route runs from Strahan through Hells Gates and Macquarie Harbour into Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness, with two shore visits that give the day more substance than a simple scenic boat ride.

I like the silent river cruising and the chance to walk among ancient myrtle, sassafras, and Huon pine at Heritage Landing. I also like the Sarah Island stop, where guides such as Maggie, Shannon, Lyel, and Margaret have made the convict settlement’s grim story lively and memorable.

The main thing to consider is the west coast weather. Rain, wind, cold air-conditioning, and wet shore walks are all possible, so bring proper layers and rainwear. The vessel is comfortable, but you should dress for the river rather than for a mild morning in Strahan.

Key points to know before you book

• The electric-powered boat keeps the Gordon River quiet, making the forest feel more immediate.
• Sarah Island is the most substantial history stop, with animated guiding and convict stories among the ruins.
• Heritage Landing uses raised boardwalks, so you can see temperate rainforest without a strenuous bushwalk.
• The buffet lunch is served onboard, and the food is generally a strong part of the day, though late diners may find some dishes running low.
• Standard Main Deck tickets give you access to open-air viewing areas, while Premier Upper Deck includes leather recliners, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks, tea, coffee, and canapés.
• You need to check in at 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure, and parking is about 250 metres from the terminal.

From Strahan to Hells Gates in the first hour

Your morning begins at the Gordon River Cruises terminal on Strahan’s main wharf. Check in by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure, look for the grey Spirit of the Wild, and collect your boarding pass inside the terminal. You can also collect the pass the day before, which is handy if you are staying nearby at Strahan Village, less than a two-minute walk away.

The boat first crosses Macquarie Harbour toward Hells Gates, the narrow entrance where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean. This is one of the few parts of the trip where the water can feel properly exposed. If the weather is rough, you will understand why the entrance earned its severe name. If conditions are calm, the passage is less dramatic but still an important piece of the harbour’s story.

The open decks are useful here. Your allocated seat remains yours, but you can move around the boat and step outside for different views. I would use the outside areas early in the cruise, then settle inside when the wind picks up or lunch begins.

The commentary covers the harbour, its maritime past, and the locations along the route. The presentation includes character-based interpretation from Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin, along with video material. Most of the guiding is clear and entertaining, though one issue worth noting is that sound can be harder to follow in busy areas or when you are outside.

Macquarie Harbour fish farms and a taste of the west coast

After Hells Gates, the boat heads across Macquarie Harbour toward the salmon and trout farms. This portion adds a modern working side to what could otherwise feel like a purely historic and scenic excursion.

You learn how fish farming developed on Tasmania’s west coast, and there is an opportunity to taste some of the local produce. It is a small detail, but a useful one: the harbour is not only a wilderness gateway or former penal outpost. It is also part of a living regional economy.

The cruise gives you enough context to see the area as a place shaped by water, industry, conservation, and settlement. That broader view improves the later stops, especially Sarah Island, where the old shipyard and penal colony are not presented as isolated ruins but as part of a much larger harbour system.

The Gordon River and the famous reflections

The scenery changes as the boat enters the Gordon River. The water becomes calmer, the forest closes in, and the cruise slows into a more peaceful rhythm. This is where the electric motor matters most. You can look through the full-length windows without the constant vibration and engine noise found on many sightseeing boats.

The Gordon River is famous for reflections, but you need the right conditions to see the classic mirror effect. Calm water and suitable light help. Cloud, rain, wind, and changing weather can alter the view by the minute. Do not treat the reflections as a guaranteed photograph. Treat them as a bonus that appears when the river cooperates.

The vessel has full-length windows and open-air decks, so you are not locked into one viewpoint. Main Deck Central and Main Deck Window seating are the standard choices. Window seating is useful in poor weather, while Central seating may suit you if you expect to move around often.

The Premier Upper Deck is a different style of experience. It includes premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and a lounge area. The package also includes a complimentary open bar with Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee, plus morning and afternoon tea and canapés.

At $109 per person for the stated experience, the regular cruise offers solid value if you want scenery, lunch, guiding, and two walks in one outing. The Premier option costs more, so I would choose it for comfort and drinks rather than for better access to the wilderness itself. Main Deck passengers can still use the open-air viewing areas.

Heritage Landing and the temperate rainforest walk

The first shore excursion is at Heritage Landing on the Gordon River. The walk follows raised boardwalks through temperate rainforest, making it accessible to people who are comfortable walking at an easy pace but do not want a demanding trail.

This is a short stop, not a full wilderness hike. That is both its strength and its limitation. You get a close look at the forest without spending hours away from the boat, but you will not have much time for an extended walk or quiet solo exploration.

Look for sassafras and myrtle, then pause beside an ancient Huon pine, described as the pride of the forest. The boardwalk keeps your feet out of the wet forest floor and helps protect the plants while allowing you to see the different layers of the rainforest.

Bring sturdy shoes. The walk itself is manageable, but wet weather can make surfaces slippery and the west coast can turn cold quickly. Several people have found that the rain eased during the shore visits, but you should not plan on that luck. A warm layer and rain jacket belong in your day bag, even if Strahan looks dry when you leave.

Lunch with the river outside the window

The chef-prepared buffet lunch is served onboard, so you do not lose sightseeing time by stopping at a separate dining room. The meal is a practical feature as much as a pleasant one. Six hours on a boat, with walks and open-air viewing, is a long stretch without a proper meal.

The food has generally been described as tasty, generous, and well organised. The buffet is especially welcome after the first shore visit, when you can eat while the boat continues through the harbour and river system.

There is one minor buffet issue to keep in mind. If you are among the last people to serve yourself, popular dishes can run low. One late diner found no chicken left and little feta remaining in a salad. That is not a major flaw, but it is a reason to avoid waiting too long if a particular dish matters to you.

The Main Deck licensed galley sells drinks and snacks, with cash or card accepted. Standard lunch does not include the Premier package’s drinks, so budget for purchases if you want wine, coffee, or something extra. The onboard bar has been described as reasonably priced, which helps keep the regular ticket good value.

Sarah Island, where the history becomes personal

Sarah Island is the most memorable stop for many people, and I can see why. The island was once a penal settlement and shipyard, and the remains are spread through a place that is quiet now but carries a harsh past.

The guided walk brings the site to life through stories of convicts, punishment, shipbuilding, and survival. This is not a museum visit with display cases and labels. You walk among the remains while a guide connects the fragments to the people who lived and worked there.

The quality of the individual guide can shape this part of the day. Names praised in the tour notes include Maggie, Shannon, Lyel, Margaret, Sarah, Louise, and Josh. Margaret was singled out for her animated and enthusiastic delivery, while Lyel was praised for humour and energy. Josh was also noted for making the Hells Gates and Sarah Island portions especially enjoyable.

The island walk is outdoors, so expect uneven ground and changing weather. It is also a guided visit rather than free time. That is a benefit if you want the site explained, but less useful if you prefer to wander alone and set your own pace.

I would save your attention for this stop. The forest is beautiful, but Sarah Island supplies the emotional and historical weight that makes the cruise more than a scenic outing.

Comfort, seating, and what the boat feels like

The vessel is modern and comfortable, with restrooms onboard and several decks. The smooth ride has earned plenty of praise, including in rougher conditions. The hybrid system is a major part of the boat’s appeal on the Gordon River, where engine noise would otherwise compete with the setting.

Seating is allocated, so you do not need to race aboard for a particular chair. You can still move around the vessel and use the open-air decks. That arrangement works well for a long cruise because you can return to your seat for lunch or commentary, then head outside when the view changes.

The Premier Upper Deck provides more space and services, but Main Deck passengers are not shut away from the best scenery. If the price difference is significant, I would stay on the Main Deck unless you particularly value the recliner, private lounge, open bar, and included coffee and canapés.

Air-conditioning can be intermittent. One person found the cabin cold at times, while others praised the comfortable seating. Pack a light layer even in warmer months, and do not assume the indoor temperature will match the weather outside.

Timing, access, and useful planning details

The cruise lasts about six hours and returns to the Strahan wharf. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the terminal.

All-day pay-and-display parking is about 250 metres away. The parking advice is to carry around AUD 10 in coins, which is worth sorting out before check-in. Strahan Village is the closest listed accommodation and sits less than two minutes from the terminal.

The main deck is wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size, and the Premier Upper Deck is not the accessible option described for this activity. Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

Cancellation is flexible up to three days in advance for a full refund. The cruise also requires a minimum number of participants, though cancellation for that reason is described as highly unlikely. If it happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The only language offered is English. The tour is guided throughout, with live commentary and character-based interpretation, so you should be comfortable following spoken English for much of the day.

Who will get the most from this six-hour cruise?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see the Gordon River without organising several separate outings. It combines scenery, food, rainforest, maritime history, convict history, and a comfortable boat in one day.

It is particularly good for first-time visitors to western Tasmania, families with older children, couples who want a relaxed day out, and anyone who prefers a guided experience to self-driving remote roads. The walks are short enough to keep the schedule moving, but meaningful enough to break up the time onboard.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed departure times, group commentary, or changeable weather. This is not a silent private charter, and Sarah Island is not an unstructured hike. The day is carefully timed, with allocated seating and shared excursions.

The cruise also suits repeat visitors. One person took it again after seven years and found the experience just as worthwhile, while another returned to the river after four decades and appreciated the conservation story woven into the commentary.

Should you book the Gordon River cruise?

Yes, if you are staying in Strahan and have six hours to spare. At $109 per person, the combination of a long scenic cruise, buffet lunch, two guided shore visits, and onboard interpretation gives you a fair amount for the money.

Book the regular Main Deck option if scenery and history are your priorities. Consider Premier Upper Deck if you want premium seating, an open bar, lounge access, and a more polished onboard experience.

Bring sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, and warm clothing. Then let the weather do what it likes. Hells Gates is more dramatic in rough conditions, while the Gordon River reflections are best on a calm day. Either way, the quiet run through the rainforest and the Sarah Island walk make this one of the strongest ways to experience the west coast from Strahan.

FAQ

Where does the Gordon River cruise depart?

It departs from the main wharf in Strahan. Check in inside 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 scheduled 8:30 AM departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about six hours and returns to the Strahan meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch served onboard. Drinks and snacks from the Main Deck galley are not included in the standard option.

What are the two shore excursions?

You visit Heritage Landing for a rainforest walk on raised boardwalks and Sarah Island for a guided walk through the former convict settlement and shipyard.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The Main Deck is wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size.

What seating choices are available?

You can choose Main Deck Central or Main Deck Window seating. The Premier Upper Deck upgrade includes leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and lounge access.

What does the Premier Upper Deck include?

It includes Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, espresso coffee, morning and afternoon tea, canapés, premium leather recliners, full-length windows, and access to a private viewing deck and lounge.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable or sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, and weather-appropriate clothing. A warm layer is useful because conditions can change quickly and the boat may feel cool inside.