Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

Quiet water, wild country, and a very good lunch. This six-hour cruise from Strahan brings together the best sights of Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River, with stops at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island. I like the smooth, whisper-quiet electric motor, and I like how much history the guides pack into the day. The one thing to consider is the west coast weather: rain, wind, and cold can arrive quickly, and shore walks are far less pleasant without proper layers.

I also appreciate the choice of seating. Main Deck seats keep the price at a reasonable $109 per person, while the Premier Upper Deck adds leather recliners, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks, tea, coffee, and canapes. The standard ticket already includes lunch and both walks, so most people will find it good value without upgrading.

Five things to know before you book

• The electric motor matters: The boat is remarkably quiet on the Gordon River, where engine noise can spoil the stillness.
• Sarah Island is the history highlight: The guided walk brings the former penal settlement and shipyard to life.
• Lunch is more than a snack: A chef-prepared buffet is served onboard, with drinks available from the licensed bar.
• Weather changes the feel of the day: Bring a rain jacket, warm layer, and sturdy shoes even if Strahan looks pleasant at departure.
• You can move around: Your seat is allocated, but you can use the open-air decks and viewing areas during the cruise.
• Main Deck is best for access: The cruise is wheelchair accessible there, though mobility scooters are not permitted.

Starting at Strahan’s main wharf

The day begins at the Gordon River Cruises terminal on Strahan’s main wharf. Check in at 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure, and look for the grey Spirit of the Wild behind the terminal. You can also collect your boarding pass the day before, which is handy if you are staying nearby and want a faster start.

The closest accommodation is Strahan Village, less than two minutes away on foot. If you drive, all-day Pay and Display parking is about 250 metres from the terminal. Bring coins, with around AUD 10 suggested for parking.

The boat is modern and designed for long viewing periods. Full-length windows help when the weather turns wet, while open-air decks give you the best chance to feel the air and take clear photographs. Your ticket assigns a seat, but you are free to move around the vessel during the trip.

I would arrive early rather than cutting things close. The first part of the cruise includes wide views across Macquarie Harbour, and getting settled before departure makes the morning calmer.

Macquarie Harbour and the passage through Hells Gates

Macquarie Harbour is enormous, and the opening to the Southern Ocean gives the cruise its first dramatic moment. Hells Gates is the narrow entrance where harbour water meets the sea. The name is not subtle, and the water can be rougher here than farther inland.

This section is especially dependent on conditions. On a calm day, the boat moves smoothly and the passage feels almost relaxed. In wind and rain, Hells Gates shows why this stretch has such a hard reputation. The hybrid vessel handles both conditions well, but you should keep a warm layer close.

The onboard commentary covers the harbour, its working past, and the places around it. Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin are used for character-based interpretation, adding a human voice to the history rather than giving you a dry list of dates.

The presentation also includes video clips. I found the mix useful because it gives context before you step ashore, though the video quality may feel less polished than the rest of the vessel. The live guides and the views are the stronger part of the interpretation.

Fish farms and the west coast working story

As the boat crosses Macquarie Harbour, the route passes fish farms. Here you learn about salmon and trout farming on Tasmania’s west coast, including the chance to taste some of the produce.

This is a worthwhile change of pace. The cruise is not only about untouched forest and convict ruins. It also shows how people use this remote part of Tasmania today. The farming story gives the harbour a practical, working dimension, and the tasting connects the information to the meal that follows.

The route does not rush from one attraction to the next. That matters on a six-hour cruise. You have time to look through the windows, step outside, listen to the guides, and simply enjoy the quiet water.

The Gordon River in near silence

The Gordon River is the heart of the day. Once the boat reaches this protected stretch, the electric motor becomes one of the cruise’s best features. The reduced engine noise lets you hear the water and the natural quiet around it.

Tasmania’s western wilderness is often experienced through weather. Mist, low cloud, rain, and soft light can make the river feel more mysterious, while clear conditions reveal reflections in the dark water. The famous Gordon River reflections are never guaranteed, so do not treat them as a promise. They depend on wind and sky.

The full-length windows are useful here. You can stay warm and dry while still seeing the forest, but I recommend moving outside when conditions allow. The front and side decks provide changing angles, and the open-air areas are ideal for photographs.

The boat is comfortable enough that you do not need to spend the whole day standing. That is a quiet advantage for older visitors or anyone who wants a scenic trip without a physically demanding schedule.

Heritage Landing and the raised rainforest walk

Heritage Landing provides the first shore excursion. A raised boardwalk threads through temperate rainforest, allowing you to see the plants without walking directly over the forest floor.

The walk introduces you to sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and the famous Huon pine. The ancient Huon pine is the star here, not because it is flashy, but because its age and place in Tasmanian forests make it feel like a living piece of the region’s past.

This is an easy way to encounter the World Heritage wilderness. You do not need to plan a separate long hike, carry navigation equipment, or sacrifice the rest of your day. The path keeps the group together and gives the guide a clear route for explaining local plants and wildlife.

Still, it is a shore walk, not a window view. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and bring a rain jacket even if the morning has been dry. The west coast can change quickly, and a warm layer is useful once you leave the heated cabin.

The walk is relatively short, so visitors expecting a long forest hike may find it limited. Its purpose is introduction and interpretation. It gives you a close look at the forest, then returns you to the boat for the wider journey.

Lunch on the water

A buffet lunch is served onboard during the cruise. It is chef-prepared, filling, and one of the reasons the standard fare offers solid value. Food commonly receives strong praise, with passengers describing it as tasty, ample, and well organised.

The buffet setup works well on a moving sightseeing boat. You can eat without giving up the river views, and there is enough flexibility for different appetites. On one occasion, chicken had run out near the end of service and a beetroot and feta salad had been picked over, so I would not wait until the last minute if a particular dish matters to you.

The Main Deck has a cash or card bar selling drinks and snacks. The included meal is enough for most people, but you can buy something extra if you want a drink beyond the meal service.

The Premier Upper Deck includes Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee, along with morning and afternoon tea and canapes. That package may suit you if the cruise is a special occasion or if you value a quieter lounge and included drinks. For a regular sightseeing day, the standard ticket covers the main needs.

Sarah Island and convict-era Tasmania

Sarah Island is the second shore excursion, and for many people it becomes the day’s most memorable stop. The island was once a feared penal colony and shipyard. Its ruins are modest, but that is part of the power of the place. You see fragments of a settlement and rely on the guide to explain the harsh work and grim conditions behind them.

The guide makes a major difference. Guides including Josh, Shannon, Maggie, Margaret, Louise, Sarah, and Lyel have been praised for bringing energy, humour, and clear storytelling to the walk. The best parts of the tour are not just the remaining structures. They are the stories tied to them.

I especially like that Sarah Island is presented as a real place rather than a quick photo stop. The walk gives you time to understand why this isolated island mattered, how shipbuilding fitted into the penal system, and why the settlement gained such a dark reputation.

This stop can be muddy or wet in poor weather. Sturdy footwear is not a polite suggestion here. The walk is accessible as part of the shore program, but the cruise’s stated wheelchair access applies to the Main Deck, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm how the island portion suits them before booking.

Choosing between the three seating areas

You have three main seating choices: Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window, or Premier Upper Deck.

Main Deck Central is the practical option. It keeps the price lower and gives you access to the boat’s shared areas, including the open-air decks. It may be less useful if you want to stay seated beside a window for most of the trip.

Main Deck Window is a sensible middle choice if scenery is your priority. You get a direct view from your seat, while still being able to move around the vessel. Remember that a window seat does not replace the open deck when you want wide photographs or fresh air.

Premier Upper Deck is the comfort upgrade. You receive premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, a lounge area, complimentary drinks, tea, espresso coffee, morning and afternoon tea, and canapes. It costs more, but the package is easy to justify for a celebration, a first visit to the region, or anyone who dislikes leaving comfort to chance.

The boat is already described as comfortable on the standard levels. One small caution is that the air-conditioning can feel intermittently cold. A light jumper is useful even indoors.

How the guides shape the experience

The cruise combines live commentary, video, and character-based interpretation. That variety helps because the day covers several different subjects: harbour geography, fish farming, rainforest, conservation, and convict history.

The Sarah Island guide deserves particular attention. Strong storytelling can turn a few weathered ruins into a memorable visit, and the guides have been praised for being funny, animated, and engaging. On the boat, crew members also explain the route in a friendly, clear way.

One useful feature is the chance to hear about the area’s conservation story. The cruise does not treat the wilderness as scenery alone. Commentary and video connect the river to the efforts that helped protect it, giving the trip more meaning for anyone interested in Tasmania’s environmental history.

If hearing every word is important to you, sit close to the commentary source or ask crew for advice. One passenger found some of the walk commentary difficult to hear. Outdoor conditions, group position, and wind can all affect sound.

Weather, comfort, and who will enjoy this day

I would recommend this cruise to first-time visitors to Strahan, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants several major west coast sights in one organised day. It is also a good choice if you want history and forest, not just a boat ride.

It suits people who prefer a gentle itinerary. The two walks add variety without turning the day into a strenuous hike. Infants travel free if they do not occupy a seat, and the vessel has restrooms onboard.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed schedules or want a long, independent walk in the rainforest. The cruise follows a set timetable, and the shore visits are guided. You also need to accept that the weather is part of the experience, not a minor detail.

Bring:

• Comfortable, sturdy shoes
• A waterproof jacket
• A warm layer
• Sun protection if the forecast is clear
• A camera with protection from rain

Mobility scooters are not allowed because of size limits. The vessel is wheelchair accessible on the Main Deck only.

Is the $109 price good value?

At $109 per person, the standard ticket is fairly priced for six hours of cruising, two guided shore visits, live interpretation, and a full buffet lunch. You would be paying separately for transport, food, and entry to several sights on many comparable day outings, while this trip combines them in one smooth package.

The main value is the range. In one morning and afternoon, you see Hells Gates, Macquarie Harbour, fish farms, the Gordon River, a temperate rainforest, and Sarah Island. The boat also gives you shelter when the west coast turns wet.

The Premier Upper Deck is harder to call essential. It adds real comfort and a generous drinks package, but the wilderness and shore excursions remain the same. I would pay extra if you want premium seating, included wine or beer, and a private viewing area. Otherwise, Main Deck Window offers the better balance.

Free cancellation is available up to three days before departure for a full refund. The cruise requires a minimum number of participants, though a replacement date or refund is offered if the operator cancels for that reason.

Should you book the Gordon River cruise?

Yes, if you have one day in Strahan and want the region’s main sights handled well. I particularly recommend it for the quiet Gordon River passage and the Sarah Island walk, where guides such as Lyel, Maggie, Shannon, and Josh have helped make the history lively rather than dusty.

Choose the standard ticket if value matters, and upgrade only when the lounge, recliner, private deck, and included drinks sound important to you. Book with weather in mind, arrive at the wharf early, and pack as if the forecast is undecided.

If you do those three things, this is one of the strongest ways to experience western Tasmania: scenic, comfortable, informative, and substantial enough to feel like a full day well spent.

FAQ

How long is the Gordon River Cruise?

The experience lasts six hours, including the cruise, lunch, and the two shore walks at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It 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 check in?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The standard experience includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch. Drinks and snacks can be purchased from the licensed galley on the Main Deck.

What does the Premier Upper Deck include?

The Premier Upper Deck includes premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, a lounge area, complimentary Tasmanian wine, sparkling wine, beer, juice, tea, espresso coffee, morning and afternoon tea, and canapes.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The cruise is wheelchair accessible on the Main Deck. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of size restrictions.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a rain jacket, and a warm layer. Tasmania’s west coast weather can change quickly, especially when you leave the boat for the rainforest and Sarah Island walks.