Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The most memorable part of this cruise is the quiet run up the Gordon River. The boat’s electric motor lets the rainforest speak for itself, while the Gordon River reflections turn the water into a dark mirror when the weather is calm. Then the mood changes at Sarah Island, where convict stories replace the hush of the forest.

I like the way this six-hour trip joins three very different Tasmanian experiences: Hell’s Gates, the rainforest at Heritage Landing, and the ruins of a former penal settlement. I also like the practical comfort of a proper buffet lunch, indoor seating, toilets, and open-air decks. The main caution is the weather. Western Tasmania can be cold, wet, and windy, and the two walks are far better with sturdy shoes and a warm rain jacket.

Key points at a glance

• The electric boat makes the Gordon River unusually quiet, so you can focus on water, birds, trees, and reflections rather than engine noise.
• Sarah Island is the strongest history stop, with animated guides such as Maggie, Margaret, Louise, Josh, Shannon, and Lyel bringing the former convict settlement to life.
• Heritage Landing gives you a short rainforest walk on raised boardwalks among sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and ancient Huon pine.
• The buffet lunch is a real part of the experience, not just a snack between stops, though late diners may find a few popular dishes running low.
• Premier Upper Deck is a comfort upgrade, with leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks, morning and afternoon tea, and canapés.
• Weather can change quickly, so bring warm layers and rainwear even when Strahan looks pleasant at departure.

Why the Gordon River feels different from an ordinary cruise

Macquarie Harbour is vast, exposed, and shaped by the Southern Ocean. The Gordon River is the opposite: quiet, dark, and hemmed in by rainforest. This cruise works because it gives you both settings in one day.

The trip leaves Strahan on the west coast of Tasmania aboard the grey Spirit of the Wild. From the main wharf, the boat moves across Macquarie Harbour toward Hells Gates, the narrow entrance where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean. The water can be smooth, but this first stretch also shows why the entrance has such a grim name.

Once the boat turns toward the Gordon River, the pace becomes gentler. The electric motor is a major part of the appeal. On a standard sightseeing boat, engine noise can flatten the mood of a wild place. Here, the quiet makes space for the guides, the water, and the changing view through the full-length windows.

I would not book this as a simple scenic ride and ignore the interpretation. The guides add context about the harbour, the river, the fish farms, the penal settlement, and the people connected with this part of Tasmania. Character-based interpretation featuring Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin gives the commentary a more human shape than a list of dates and place names.

From Hells Gates to Macquarie Harbour’s fish farms

The run through Hells Gates is the most exposed section of the day. This is where the harbour and ocean meet, so conditions may be calm, breezy, rainy, or rougher. You can use the open-air decks for a better sense of the wind and water, then return inside when the weather turns.

The cruise also passes the fish farms in Macquarie Harbour. The commentary explains the west coast’s salmon and trout farming, and you may have the chance to taste some of the local produce. This is a useful stop in the story of the region because it connects the wild setting with the working economy around Strahan.

Do not expect Hells Gates to be a long stop on land. It is a passage and a viewing experience from the vessel. The value is in seeing the meeting point between sheltered harbour and open ocean, then contrasting it with the stillness ahead on the Gordon River.

The Gordon River and the famous reflections

The Gordon River is the visual heart of the cruise. Its dark, calm water reflects the trees and sky, creating the effect many people hope to see from western Tasmania. The famous reflections depend on the conditions, so you should treat them as a gift rather than a guarantee.

Full-length windows help when rain or wind arrives, and the viewing decks let you move outside when the sky clears. Seating is assigned, but you are free to walk around the boat and use the open-air areas. That arrangement matters because the best view changes as the vessel turns, slows, and enters narrower sections of the river.

The Premier Upper Deck gives you the best indoor comfort. You get premium leather recliners, larger full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and a lounge area. The upgrade also includes Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, espresso coffee, morning and afternoon tea, and canapés.

For most people, the main deck is enough. You still receive the cruise, commentary, lunch, and shore walks. I would consider Premier Upper Deck if you value a quieter lounge, want a more comfortable seat for six hours, or are visiting in a colder or wetter season. If you mainly plan to move between the decks and take photographs, the standard ticket may offer better value.

Heritage Landing’s rainforest walk

At Heritage Landing, you leave the boat for a walk through temperate rainforest. The route follows raised boardwalks, making it easier to explore the trees and forest floor without a long or demanding hike.

Look for sassafras and myrtle, then make time for the ancient Huon pine described as the pride of the forest. The walk is short, but it gives you a close look at the plants that can be hard to appreciate from the water. From the boat, you see a wall of green and dark trunks. On the boardwalk, you notice texture, scale, and the layered life of the forest.

This stop suits you if you want a gentle nature walk rather than a strenuous bush hike. You should still wear sturdy footwear. Timber boards can be wet, and western Tasmania is known for quick weather changes.

The walk also breaks up the cruise in a useful way. Six hours on a boat is comfortable for some people but tiring for others. Getting ashore, stretching your legs, and hearing the guide explain local flora and fauna keeps the day varied.

Sarah Island, where history becomes personal

Sarah Island is the most powerful stop for many people. Once a feared penal colony and shipyard, it now has ruins, open ground, and stories that are easier to understand when you are standing on the site itself.

The walk is guided, and the quality of the storytelling matters. Guides including Maggie, Margaret, Louise, Josh, Shannon, and Lyel have been singled out for being funny, animated, enthusiastic, and clear. That style suits Sarah Island because the place needs more than a dry account of convict life. You need the human stories, the hard choices, the punishment, and the work that took place here.

Josh’s tour was especially appreciated for the Hell’s Gates and Sarah Island sections, while Shannon was praised for an entertaining and well-informed walk. Margaret was described as highly animated, and Lyel for combining humor with strong detail. Names and guides can change on the day, but the format gives you a live account rather than a self-guided look at ruins.

The walk is not a museum visit with a large collection of objects. Much of the experience comes from the setting and the guide’s ability to help you picture the former settlement and shipyard. If convict history interests you, this will likely be the emotional high point of the day. If you prefer uninterrupted scenery, remember that the cruise includes a substantial history component.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical comfort onboard

The buffet lunch is served during the cruise and is prepared by the onboard kitchen. It is described as tasty, ample, and well organised, with repeated praise for the food and service. That matters because the tour lasts six hours and has two shore visits. A light snack would not be enough for most people.

The food is generally a strength, though timing can affect your choice. One late diner found that no chicken remained and that the beetroot and feta salad had little feta left. It was a small problem rather than a major failure, but it is a useful reminder: if a particular dish matters to you, do not wait until the end of the serving period.

The main deck has a licensed cash or card bar where you can buy drinks and snacks. The Premier Upper Deck package includes selected wines, beer, juice, tea, and espresso coffee, along with canapés and morning and afternoon tea. Check the ticket option carefully so you know what is included.

The boat itself receives high marks for comfort, smooth movement, and its quiet hybrid setup. One practical note is that the air-conditioning has occasionally felt cold or inconsistent. Carry a warm layer even if you plan to sit inside.

Is the $109 price good value?

At $109 per person, this is not just a boat ride. You are paying for around six hours of transport, commentary, two guided shore walks, a buffet lunch, and access to a comfortable vessel with indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

That combination makes the price fair for a full day in a remote part of Tasmania. You would need separate transport, food, and guides to recreate the same experience. The cruise also covers the locations that are difficult to visit independently, especially the Gordon River and Sarah Island.

The standard main-deck ticket is the sensible choice for many people. It gives you the core experience without paying for extras you may not use. Premier Upper Deck makes more sense if drinks, premium seating, a private viewing deck, and extra indoor comfort are important to you.

I would not judge the value by the buffet alone. The real question is how much you want the complete west coast story: ocean entrance, working harbour, silent river, rainforest, and convict settlement. If you only want a quick scenic cruise, six hours may feel long. If you want a broad introduction to the Gordon River area, the schedule is well filled.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to Strahan who want one organised outing that covers nature and history. It suits couples, families, older visitors, and anyone who wants scenic access without arranging several separate activities.

It is also a good fit if you care about comfort. The boat has toilets, assigned seats, indoor viewing, open decks, and a proper lunch. The main deck is wheelchair accessible, though mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size. Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

You should think twice if you dislike boat rides, changing weather, or guided interpretation. The cruise is not a private wilderness trip. You share the vessel with other passengers, and the day follows a set schedule. The walks are short, but you still need to leave the boat in whatever weather arrives.

The English-language guides use commentary and video clips, with character-based sections involving Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin. Some people may find the video presentation less polished than the live guiding, but the strongest parts of the experience come from the guides on Sarah Island and the quiet river passage.

Practical advice before you go

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure. The Spirit of the Wild docks behind the terminal, and you can collect your boarding pass either at check-in or the day before.

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

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring a rain jacket plus a warm layer. Tasmania’s west coast can change quickly, and the weather may be wet at the wharf, bright on the water, and rainy again at a shore stop. A waterproof outer layer is more useful than an umbrella.

You can cancel for a full refund up to three days in advance. The trip needs a minimum number of people to operate, and if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want more than a pretty view. The quiet electric run on the Gordon River, the ancient rainforest at Heritage Landing, and the guided Sarah Island walk give the day real range. The buffet lunch and comfortable boat make the long outing easy to manage.

Choose standard seating for the best balance of cost and experience. Pay for Premier Upper Deck if you want premium chairs, a private viewing area, extra drinks, and a more sheltered day. Pack for rain, arrive early, and give Sarah Island your full attention. That is where this cruise moves from scenic sightseeing to a memorable account of Tasmania’s past.

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 depart?

It departs from the main wharf in Strahan. Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure and look for the grey Spirit of the Wild boat behind the terminal.

What is included in the standard experience?

The cruise, onboard English-language guides, character-based interpretation, buffet lunch, two shore walks, and use of the onboard restroom are included.

What are the two shore excursions?

You visit Heritage Landing for a rainforest walk on raised boardwalks, then explore the former convict settlement and shipyard at Sarah Island with a guide.

Is the buffet lunch included?

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

What does the Premier Upper Deck include?

The upgrade includes premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks including Tasmanian wines and beer, morning and afternoon tea, espresso coffee, and canapés.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

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

What should I bring?

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