Strahan: Gordon River Cruise with Lunch & Sarah Island Walk

The most memorable part of this Strahan cruise is the hush. Once the boat reaches the Gordon River, its electric motor lets the rainforest and dark water do the talking. You glide past ancient myrtle and sassafras, hoping for the famous reflections, then step ashore at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island for two very different walks.

I like the well-paced mix of scenery and history, and I like that lunch is served while you remain on the water rather than eating into your shore time. The crew also gets high marks for friendly service, strong commentary, and calm handling of the boat. The main drawback is Tasmania’s west coast weather: rain, cold, wind, and changing conditions can make the two shore stops less comfortable, so pack properly.

Key points to know before you book

• The quiet Gordon River section is the heart of the trip, with a hybrid boat and electric motors that reduce engine noise.
• Sarah Island is the history stop, with a guided walk through the remains of a former penal settlement and shipyard.
• Heritage Landing gives you rainforest, including myrtle, sassafras, ferns, and an ancient Huon pine.
• The $109 fare includes lunch, the cruise, guides, and both shore excursions, which makes it good value for a full six-hour outing.
• Main Deck seating is enough for most people, while the Premier Upper Deck adds recliners, a private viewing deck, lounge access, drinks, tea, coffee, and canapés.
• The west coast climate is part of the experience, but warm layers, a rain jacket, and sturdy shoes are essential.

A six-hour route into Tasmania’s western wilderness

This is a half-day cruise from Strahan into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area. You check in at the Gordon River Cruises terminal by 8:00 AM for the 8:30 AM departure, then board the grey Spirit of the Wild at the main wharf.

The boat is roomy and built for sightseeing, with full-length windows and open-air decks. Your seat is allocated, but you can move around the vessel and use the viewing areas during the cruise. That matters because the scenery changes often, and one side of the boat may offer a better view at a particular moment.

The schedule packs in quite a bit: Macquarie Harbour, Hells Gates, the fish farms, the Gordon River, Heritage Landing, lunch, and Sarah Island. It feels like a full day without requiring a separate bus transfer or a string of rushed stops.

The ship’s guides use live commentary, video clips, and character-based interpretation featuring Captain James Kelly and Lady Jane Franklin. This approach gives the voyage a human thread. You are not simply looking at forest and water. You are hearing about exploration, settlement, industry, conservation, and the people connected to this remote corner of Tasmania.

Hells Gates and the mouth of Macquarie Harbour

The first major sight is Hells Gates, the narrow entrance where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean. The name is not subtle, and the passage has a reputation for rough water, shifting conditions, and difficult navigation.

The boat moves through the entrance so you can see how exposed the harbour is to the open sea. On a calm morning, it can feel almost gentle. In wind and rain, the setting makes more sense, and you get a better idea of why this stretch of water earned its name.

This part of the cruise is more about geography and atmosphere than a long stop. You remain onboard, listen to the explanation, and look out across the water. If you want photographs, the open deck is useful, but hold onto your hat and dress for sudden weather changes.

You also pass the west coast fish farms and hear about salmon and trout production in Tasmania. The cruise includes a chance to taste some of the local produce. It is a practical touch, linking the modern economy of the region with the harbour you are crossing.

Lunch on the water, with a few practical limits

The included buffet lunch is one of the stronger parts of the package. It is chef-prepared, filling, and served during the cruise, so you can eat while watching Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River pass by.

The menu details can vary, but the food includes substantial buffet choices rather than just snacks. One small practical point came up from the experience of a late diner: if you wait until the final serving period, popular items may have run low. I would eat when the buffet opens if a particular dish matters to you.

A licensed galley and bar are available on the Main Deck, with drinks and snacks sold separately. The standard fare does not include those purchases, so allow for an extra cost if you want wine, beer, coffee, or something between meals.

The Premier Upper Deck includes a complimentary open bar, morning and afternoon tea, and canapés. It also provides premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, and a lounge area. At $109, the standard ticket is the sensible choice for many people. The upgrade makes more sense if you value comfort, a quieter space, and included drinks throughout the day.

The Gordon River, where quiet becomes the attraction

The cruise reaches its most peaceful section on the Gordon River. Here the electric motors make a real difference. The boat moves smoothly with far less mechanical noise, allowing you to hear the commentary without a constant engine rumble.

This is the moment to slow down. The water can mirror the trees when conditions are still, creating the reflections people hope to see. Clouds, wind, rain, and sunlight can change the view from minute to minute, so do not judge the river by a single photograph.

The full-length windows are valuable in wet weather. You can stay warm and dry while still seeing the forest, and then step outside when the conditions improve. The open decks give you a better sense of the scale and silence, especially near the front of the boat.

The crew’s commentary covers the natural setting and the history of the river. Some onboard video material is useful, though the quality of the visual presentation may feel less polished than the boat itself. The live guides are the main strength, particularly when they connect the scenery to local stories.

Heritage Landing and its raised rainforest boardwalk

At Heritage Landing, you leave the boat for a walk through temperate rainforest. The route follows raised boardwalks, making it easier to move among the trees while limiting damage to the forest floor.

The walk introduces you to species including sassafras and myrtle. The ancient Huon pine is the star of this stop. You do not need to be a serious botanist to enjoy it. The boardwalk is a chance to look closely at the forest, rather than viewing it only through a boat window.

Allow for damp surfaces and uneven conditions around the shore excursion areas. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is advised, and a rain jacket is more useful than an umbrella. The weather may be dry in Strahan and wet under the trees, or the reverse.

The Heritage Landing walk is fairly gentle compared with a long bushwalk, but you are still stepping off a boat and walking outdoors. If you use a wheelchair, the main deck and accessible arrangements are available, but the activity is not suitable for mobility scooters due to their size.

Sarah Island, where the stories get darker

Sarah Island is the most powerful stop for many people. The island was a penal settlement and shipyard, and the guided walk brings its remains and convict stories into focus.

This is not a polished museum visit. You walk among ruins and open ground, with the guide using the setting itself as part of the story. The result is more atmospheric than a display behind glass. The stories can be grim, and the island’s isolation helps you understand how severe the settlement must have felt.

The quality of this walk depends heavily on the guide, and the available guides have earned repeated praise for bringing the place to life. Names highlighted by visitors include Maggie, Shannon, Josh, Lyel, Margaret, Sarah, and Louise. I would not book expecting a particular person, but the company clearly has a strong group of interpreters.

The Sarah Island walk is also where good footwear and warm clothing matter most. Rain can make the ground slippery, while cold wind can arrive quickly. The stop is not long enough for a full historical study, but it gives you a clear reason to learn more about the island afterward.

Three seating choices, and which one makes sense

You can choose between Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window, and Premier Upper Deck seating. All passengers can use the open-air decks, so a standard ticket does not trap you in one view.

Main Deck Central is the practical budget choice. You receive the cruise, commentary, lunch, and both shore walks without paying for extras you may not use. Main Deck Window is better if you prefer to watch the river from indoors, especially in cold or wet weather.

The Premier Upper Deck is aimed at comfort rather than a different route. You get leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, a lounge, canapés, hot drinks, and an open bar with Tasmanian red, white, and sparkling wines, beer, and juice.

I would choose the upgrade for a special occasion, for anyone who dislikes crowded public areas, or for a day when you expect to spend much of the cruise seated. Families and active sightseers may prefer the Main Deck because everyone can still move outdoors and enjoy the views.

Is $109 good value for six hours?

At $109 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but it is a solid package. You are paying for six hours of cruising, a prepared buffet lunch, onboard guides, character interpretation, two shore excursions, restroom facilities, and access to a boat designed for viewing.

The value improves if you want one organized outing that combines nature and history. Booking separate activities for the harbour, rainforest, and Sarah Island would take more planning and might not give you the same flow.

The price feels less attractive if your main goal is simply to see the Gordon River from the water. In that case, the shore walks and guided stories are part of what justifies the fare. I would also consider the opportunity cost: the tour takes most of the day, so it needs to be one of your main Strahan activities.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 382 reviews, with the most consistent praise directed at the boat, food, crew, scenery, and Sarah Island guides. The few cautions are useful: air-conditioning can feel intermittently cold, commentary may be hard to hear in places, and buffet choices can thin out late in the serving period.

Weather, parking, and arrival advice

Strahan weather is changeable, and you should plan for rain even when the forecast looks mild. Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm layer, and shoes with a firm sole. You will appreciate the indoor windows on a wet day, but the shore walks are much better when you are dressed for the conditions.

The closest accommodation listed is Strahan Village, less than two minutes from the terminal. If you drive, all-day pay-and-display parking is about 250 metres away. Bring coins totaling about AUD 10.

You check in inside the Gordon River Cruises terminal and receive a boarding pass. You can also collect the pass the day before. Arrive on time for the 8:30 AM departure, since the boat leaves from the main wharf behind the terminal.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible on the Main Deck. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size. Infants can travel free if they do not occupy a seat.

Who will enjoy this Gordon River cruise?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to western Tasmania who want the main sights explained rather than simply viewed. It also suits people who prefer a comfortable boat to a strenuous wilderness outing, while still offering two short walks ashore.

History fans should especially value Sarah Island. Nature lovers will likely prefer the quiet Gordon River and Heritage Landing. Families can use the mix of scenery, food, video, and storytelling to keep the day varied.

This may not suit you if you want a private or very small-group trip, a long independent hike, or a completely unstructured day. It is a scheduled group cruise with allocated seats and fixed shore visits. You have freedom to move around the boat, but not to change the route.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you have one day in Strahan and want a well-organized introduction to Macquarie Harbour, the Gordon River, rainforest, and Sarah Island. The electric motor, comfortable boat, capable guides, and included lunch make the $109 fare fair for the amount included.

Book the standard Main Deck option if you want the best value. Consider Premier Upper Deck for extra comfort and drinks, but do not assume you need it for good views. Pack as if the day will be cold and wet, arrive early, and try to eat lunch before the buffet thins out.

If Sarah Island, not just the scenery, interests you, this is an especially good choice. The forest is beautiful, but the convict stories are what give the day its lasting weight.

FAQ

How long is the Gordon River cruise?

The experience lasts six hours, including the cruise, buffet lunch, Heritage Landing walk, and Sarah Island walk.

Where does the cruise depart from?

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.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The standard experience includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch served onboard. Drinks and snacks from the licensed galley are purchased separately unless you select the Premier Upper Deck option.

What is included with the Premier Upper Deck?

The Premier Upper Deck includes premium leather recliners, full-length windows, a private viewing deck, a lounge area, a complimentary open bar, morning and afternoon tea, and canapés.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible on the Main Deck. Mobility scooters are not permitted because of their size.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a rain jacket, and a warm layer for the rainforest walk and Sarah Island.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and if it is canceled for that reason, you will be offered another date or a full refund.