Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The best part of this six-hour trip is the change in pace. You leave Strahan, pass through the rough water of Hells Gates, then enter the Gordon River where the electric motor lets the forest settle around you. This is wilderness sightseeing without a noisy engine spoiling the quiet.

I like the two shore stops most: the short rainforest walk at Heritage Landing and the lively convict stories on Sarah Island. I also like that lunch is served while you cruise, so you get a proper meal without giving up sightseeing time. The main drawback is Tasmania’s west coast weather. Rain, wind, and cold can arrive quickly, and the shore walks are less pleasant without good outerwear.

Key points to know before you book

• The electric motor changes the Gordon River experience: Cruising quietly makes it easier to hear the commentary and appreciate the stillness.
• Sarah Island is the history highlight: Guides such as Maggie, Shannon, Margaret, and Lyel bring the former penal colony to life.
• Heritage Landing is an easy rainforest introduction: Elevated boardwalks lead past sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and ancient Huon pine.
• Lunch is part of the sightseeing rhythm: The chef-prepared buffet is served onboard, with a licensed bar for extra drinks and snacks.
• Your ticket affects comfort: Main Deck seating works well, while Premier Upper Deck adds leather recliners, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks, tea, coffee, and canapés.
• Pack for four seasons: Bring sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, and a warm layer even if Strahan looks sunny at departure.

Leaving Strahan for Macquarie Harbour

Check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure. The grey Spirit of the Wild waits behind the terminal at Strahan’s main wharf. If you are staying at Strahan Village, the walk takes less than two minutes, which is handy for an early start.

The cruise runs for about six hours, and the timing matters. This is not a quick harbor loop. You have enough time to reach Hells Gates, cross Macquarie Harbour, travel up the Gordon River, eat lunch, and complete two walks without feeling rushed.

Once onboard, you can use the open-air decks even though your seat is allocated. I would treat your assigned seat as a base rather than a prison. For the best views, move outside when the boat is underway, then return indoors when the weather turns sharp or lunch begins.

The vessel has full-length windows, restrooms, and a licensed galley. Main Deck passengers can buy drinks and snacks with cash or card. The boat is designed for comfort, but the west coast is still the west coast. Wind and spray are part of the setting, not a technical fault.

Hells Gates and the mouth of the harbor

The first major scene is Hells Gates, the narrow entrance where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean. The name is not subtle, and the water can show you why. On a calm day, the passage may feel restrained. In rough weather, it gives you a better sense of the challenges faced by ships entering and leaving the harbor.

This is a useful contrast with the Gordon River later in the day. At Hells Gates, you are looking at exposed water, strong weather, and the open sea. Farther inland, the river becomes quiet and enclosed by forest.

The guides add context as the boat crosses Macquarie Harbour. Character-based interpretation featuring Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin gives the commentary a human voice rather than turning the trip into a string of place names. Video clips and onboard explanations also cover the west coast salmon and trout farming industry, including a chance to taste some of the local produce.

If you are hoping for constant wildlife sightings, keep expectations sensible. The main reward here is the setting and the story of how people have used this difficult waterway. Keep your phone and camera ready, but do not spend the whole crossing staring at a screen.

Quiet water on the Gordon River

The trip changes when the boat enters the Gordon River. This is where the hybrid electric motor earns its keep. The reduced engine noise makes the river feel calmer, and you can focus on the reflections, dark water, and forest rather than a steady mechanical roar.

The famous Gordon River reflections depend on weather and light. On a still day, the trees may appear almost doubled in the water. Wind and rain can break the mirror, but they also give the forest a different mood. The boat’s full-length windows help when conditions are cold or wet, while the viewing decks let you step outside for clearer photographs.

I like this section because it does not require constant activity. You can sit with a coffee, listen to the guide, and watch the forest pass at a slow pace. The quiet is the attraction. If you need a fast-moving sightseeing schedule, this may feel too gentle. If you want time to look closely, it is one of the strongest parts of the day.

The onboard commentary adds historical and environmental detail, though sound can vary depending on where you sit and how busy the vessel feels. One passenger found some walking commentary difficult to hear, so sitting near the guide or moving closer when possible is sensible.

Heritage Landing and the Huon pine

At Heritage Landing, you leave the boat for a rainforest walk on elevated boardwalks. The route lets you see the forest without trampling the fragile ground cover, and it is an easy way to encounter western Tasmania’s temperate rainforest in a short time.

Look for sassafras, myrtle, ferns, and other plants adapted to a cool, wet climate. The main attraction is an ancient Huon pine, described as the pride of the forest. You do not need to be a serious botanist to enjoy this stop. The boardwalk and guide give you enough explanation to notice the age, texture, and scale of the trees around you.

Wear sturdy shoes. The walk is not presented as a hard hike, but timber paths can be wet, and rain can make any outdoor stop less comfortable. A warm layer is worth carrying even if you leave Strahan in mild weather.

This stop is also a good reason to bring a rain jacket instead of relying on an umbrella. You need your hands free for steps, rails, and photographs, and the weather can shift while you are ashore.

Lunch with the forest outside the windows

The chef-prepared buffet lunch is served onboard during the cruise. It is a practical arrangement, since you can eat while the boat continues through Macquarie Harbour or the Gordon River. The meal has been praised for being tasty and ample, and the buffet format gives you some choice without adding restaurant-style waiting time.

There is one small point to manage. If you arrive late to the buffet, popular items may have run low. One meal service had no chicken left and little feta remaining in a salad by the time the last diners reached it. I would go when your section is called rather than waiting until the end.

Main Deck passengers can purchase drinks and snacks at the bar. The Premier Upper Deck package includes Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, juice, tea, espresso coffee, morning and afternoon tea, and canapés. That upgrade is less about getting a different river and more about getting a quieter, more comfortable base for the day.

Sarah Island, where the stories take over

Sarah Island is the most memorable stop for many people because the ruins are only half the experience. The real draw is the interpretation. This former penal colony and shipyard has an unsettling story, and the guided walk explains how the island functioned and why it became such a feared place.

The guide makes a real difference here. Maggie, Shannon, Margaret, and Lyel have all been singled out for lively, funny, and clear presentations. The best Sarah Island guides do not simply recite dates. They use the remains, the terrain, and convict stories to show what daily life may have felt like in a remote settlement.

The walk is short enough to fit comfortably into the day, but it is not just a photo stop. Listen closely, since the ruins can be hard to interpret on their own. You may find that Sarah Island gives the cruise its emotional weight, while the Gordon River supplies its calm and beauty.

Wet weather can make this stop slippery and less comfortable. Still, rain does not ruin it. One particularly cold, wet day worked because the shore excursions arrived during drier breaks. Bring the right clothing and you can enjoy the island without needing perfect skies.

Choosing between Main Deck and Premier Upper Deck

The standard Main Deck has two seating areas: central seats and window seats. Window seats are the obvious choice if you care about staying beside the glass, though all passengers can move around the boat and use the outside decks.

Premier Upper Deck is worth considering if you want the cruise to feel more like a comfortable day out than a basic sightseeing trip. It includes:

• Premium leather recliners
• Full-length windows
• A private viewing deck
• A private lounge area
• Complimentary drinks
• Morning and afternoon tea
• Canapés

The upgrade will not make the Gordon River greener or Sarah Island older. It buys comfort, space, and included refreshments. For a six-hour outing, that can be worthwhile, especially in changeable weather or if you prefer a quieter place to sit between stops.

Main Deck remains perfectly reasonable for people who plan to move around. Since everyone can access the open-air decks, standard passengers are not locked out of the best views. The choice comes down to how much time you want to spend in a dedicated seat and whether the included drinks and food extras matter to you.

Is $109 good value?

At $109 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but it includes a lot: six hours on the water, a buffet lunch, two guided shore visits, onboard interpretation, restrooms, and the transport between widely separated sights.

You would need several separate arrangements to reproduce the same day. The boat reaches Hells Gates, cruises Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River, provides access to Heritage Landing and Sarah Island, and feeds you along the way. That makes the price easier to justify than a short scenic cruise with no stops.

The value is strongest if you want a full west coast experience in one outing. It is less compelling if you only want a quiet boat ride or if you dislike organized schedules. The two walks and fixed departure time give the day structure, but they also mean you cannot linger at one place as long as you might on an independent visit.

The 4.8 rating from 382 recorded ratings reflects the main strengths of the experience: the boat, crew, food, scenery, and guides. Praise is not universal in every small detail. Air-conditioning can feel intermittently cold, some commentary may be hard to hear, and buffet timing matters. Those are manageable issues rather than reasons to dismiss the trip.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to western Tasmania who want nature, local history, and a proper meal in one day. It also suits people who prefer a guided experience, older visitors who value comfortable seating, and families who want a clear schedule without arranging several transfers.

It is a good choice for photographers, but only if you accept that weather controls the reflections. It also suits anyone curious about Tasmania’s convict past. Sarah Island is not just scenery, and the guides give it more meaning than a self-guided walk would.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, cannot manage short shore walks, or want complete freedom over timing. The main deck is wheelchair accessible, but mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size. Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

The weather is the main practical test. Pack comfortable shoes, a rain jacket, and warm clothing. In winter, bring more than you think you need. The west coast can be cold and wet even when the morning begins pleasantly.

Parking is available in a Pay & Display area about 250 metres from the terminal. Bring coins totaling about AUD 10 if you plan to park there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way to the wharf.

Should you book the Gordon River Cruise?

Yes, if you want a well-organized day that combines Tasmania’s quietest scenery with its rougher maritime edge and darkest colonial stories. I especially like the low-noise Gordon River section, the Huon pine at Heritage Landing, and the Sarah Island walk with its strong character-led guiding.

Book the Main Deck if you are happy to move around and buy your own drinks. Choose Premier Upper Deck if comfort, included beverages, and a private viewing area are worth paying extra for. Either way, the essential experience is the same: Hells Gates, Macquarie Harbour, the Gordon River, rainforest, Sarah Island, and lunch on the water.

FAQ

How long does the Gordon River cruise take?

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

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from the main wharf in Strahan. Check in inside the Gordon River Cruises terminal, then board the grey Spirit of the Wild behind the terminal.

What time should I check in?

Check in by 8:00 AM for the scheduled 8:30 AM departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A chef-prepared buffet lunch is included and served onboard during the cruise.

Can I buy drinks onboard?

Yes. A licensed cash or card bar on the Main Deck sells drinks and snacks. Premier Upper Deck tickets include selected wines, beer, juice, tea, espresso coffee, and other food and drink extras.

What are the shore excursions?

The two walks are at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island. Heritage Landing features rainforest boardwalks, while Sarah Island focuses on the former penal colony and shipyard.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

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

Can infants join the cruise?

Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing, including a rain jacket and warm layer. Conditions on Tasmania’s west coast can change quickly.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund.