Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

Quiet water, wild scenery, convict history. The Gordon River Cruise links all three in a well-run six-hour trip from Strahan, taking you through Macquarie Harbour, past Hells Gates, into the UNESCO-listed Tasmanian Wilderness, and ashore at Sarah Island. I especially like the quiet electric cruising on the Gordon River and the sharp, entertaining interpretation at Sarah Island. The main caution is weather: cold, wind, rain, or fog can reduce the views through the windows and make deck time uncomfortable.

I also like the allocated seating, which removes the usual scramble when boarding, and the chef-prepared buffet lunch included on the morning departure. You can choose among three main-deck seating levels or pay more for the Premier Upper Deck, where drinks are included. The listed price is $111.17 per person, though the cost varies by seating category, so check exactly what you are buying before you pay.

The essential facts at a glance

• The Spirit of the Wild uses electric motors on the Gordon River, making the quiet sections remarkably peaceful.
• Hells Gates is only about 240 feet, or 80 metres, wide, the narrow entrance where the Southern Ocean meets Macquarie Harbour.
• Sarah Island combines a guided walk with live theatre, bringing its convict settlement and shipbuilding past to life.
• A chef-prepared buffet lunch is included on the morning cruise, with vegetarian choices available.
• The boat has floor-to-ceiling windows, open decks, and a 360-degree viewing deck, so you can change your viewpoint during the day.
• The cruise lasts about six hours and returns to Strahan, with no hotel pickup or drop-off provided.

Why this Strahan cruise is worth your time

Strahan is the departure point for one of western Tasmania’s most memorable days on the water. The Gordon River is not a quick scenic ride. You spend enough time on Macquarie Harbour and the river to notice how the scenery changes from open water to rainforest-lined banks and quiet channels.

I like the way this cruise gives you several kinds of experience in one outing. You get natural scenery, environmental interpretation, a proper meal, and a strong dose of Tasmanian history. It is not simply a boat ride with a few announcements.

The Spirit of the Wild is designed for this setting. Its hybrid propulsion system lets the boat switch to electric motors on the Gordon River. That matters because the quiet is part of the attraction. Without a constant engine roar, you can hear the water and take in the stillness of the forest more clearly.

The boat can carry up to 190 people, but allocated seats keep boarding orderly. You do not need to sprint aboard to claim a good chair. The floor-to-ceiling windows help from inside, while the outside decks offer fresh air and a broader view when conditions are pleasant.

The trip is especially useful for you if you have only one full day in Strahan. It covers the area’s major sights without requiring a separate transport plan. You arrive at the terminal, board, eat lunch, join the shore visit, and return to the same place.

An 8:00 am start at Strahan waterfront

The cruise begins at 24 Esplanade in Strahan at 8:00 am. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the terminal.

Morning departures make sense here. They give you a full day on the water and allow the cruise to reach the quieter Gordon River sections before returning in the afternoon. Plan to arrive ready for a long outing rather than treating this as a short harbour trip.

Your seat is allocated, which is a useful detail. On a busy sailing, that removes a small but real source of stress. You can board, settle in, and then move between the indoor areas and the decks as the scenery changes.

The boat includes restrooms and dedicated onboard guides. Interpretive facilities inside include maps, photographs, and guidebooks. These are worthwhile when weather keeps you indoors or when you want more context than the spoken commentary provides.

Hells Gates and the mouth of Macquarie Harbour

One of the first major sights is Hells Gates, the narrow opening between Macquarie Harbour and the Southern Ocean. It is only about 80 metres wide, which helps explain the dramatic name given to it by early sailors.

This is a good example of why the cruise works better than a simple scenic transfer. The guide gives the place a human story, while the boat puts you right beside the physical feature. You see the harbour narrowing toward the ocean and understand how exposed this stretch could have felt to earlier mariners.

The open deck is the best place for a clear view, but western Tasmania is not known for gentle weather every day. Bring a warm jacket even if the morning begins mild. Cold wind can make the deck unpleasant, and the outdoor areas may not be practical in rain.

If weather turns poor, the indoor windows become important. They provide shelter and broad views, but visibility can suffer when rain or mist covers the glass. The crew does not have a special system to maintain perfect viewing in every condition, so a wet day may limit the scenic value of the cruise.

That is the main risk with booking this experience. The trip operates in a place where rain and low cloud are normal possibilities. If your schedule is flexible, weather should influence your choice of date.

Macquarie Harbour and the lower Gordon River

After Hells Gates, the Spirit of the Wild crosses Macquarie Harbour and heads toward the lower Gordon River. Along the way, you pass trout and salmon farms and see rainforest along the waterfront.

The open harbour and the river feel different. Macquarie Harbour gives you broad views and a sense of scale. The Gordon River becomes quieter and more enclosed, with forest reaching toward the water. The boat’s route lets you experience both settings in one morning.

The transition to electric motors is the heart of the cruise. The reduced engine noise makes the river feel less like a commercial route and more like a calm passage through protected wilderness. I would treat this section as the time to put your phone away for a while, listen to the guide, and watch for reflections on the water.

The cruise operates within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. That designation is not just a label for the brochure. It explains why the river feels so remote and why the company has designed the boat’s hull to reduce its impact on the area.

You can stay inside for warmth and steady views, or move onto the deck for fresh air. The vessel has plenty of deck space, including a 360-degree viewing deck at the top. That top deck should be useful when you want to see beyond the side windows, although wind and temperature will decide how long you stay there.

Sarah Island, where history gets personal

Sarah Island is the most substantial shore stop, with about an hour allocated for the visit. It was a convict penal settlement in the 1820s and 1830s and later became an important shipyard where convicts built boats.

The guided walk turns an otherwise quiet island into a place with a difficult past. You hear about the settlement’s harsh reputation and the lives shaped by forced labour and isolation. The live theatrical presentation adds energy and human detail that a printed sign cannot provide.

The history here is not decorative background. Sarah Island helps explain how Tasmania’s remote waterways were used by the colonial system and how skilled shipbuilding developed under grim conditions. For many people, this is the strongest part of the day because it gives meaning to the scenery you have just passed.

The stop involves leaving the boat and walking with a guide. The supplied information does not specify the walking distance or surface conditions, so you should be prepared for an outdoor visit rather than a fully seated presentation. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

If you enjoy history, give Sarah Island your full attention. It is easy to focus only on forests and reflections during a scenic cruise, but this stop provides the human story behind western Tasmania.

Lunch, seating, and the Premier Upper Deck

The morning cruise includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch. Vegetarian options are available, and the meal is served onboard during the return journey or another suitable part of the cruise schedule.

The food receives particularly strong praise. It is described as varied, well organised, and good enough to feel like part of the experience rather than an afterthought. Staff move people through efficiently, which matters when many passengers need to eat within a limited sailing time.

Drinks are handled differently by seating category. On the Main Deck, drinks are not included, though a cash bar is available. The Premier Upper Deck includes drinks, and that category also provides a more premium experience.

The Premier option can cost considerably more than the standard fare. Some people consider it excellent value for a special occasion, especially because it includes sparkling wine or orange juice, coffee, food, and drinks throughout the day. Others find the main-deck seating sufficient because the boat already offers broad windows and access to outside decks.

I would choose the Premier Upper Deck if you care about quieter surroundings, included drinks, and a more polished day. I would choose the middle main deck if scenery and commentary matter most and you would rather keep the price under control.

Allocated seating is a genuine advantage in either category. You are not forced to spend the first minutes onboard hunting for a chair, and the boat’s design means the main deck still provides useful viewing opportunities.

Is $111.17 good value?

At the listed price of $111.17 per person, I consider the cruise solid value for a six-hour day. You are paying for the vessel, guides, the Gordon River route, the Sarah Island landing, and lunch. You also avoid arranging separate transport or activities in a remote part of Tasmania.

The value improves if you want a complete introduction to Strahan’s main attractions. A shorter harbour ride might cost less, but it would not give you the same combination of quiet river travel and Sarah Island history.

Your final price depends on the seating level. The Premier Upper Deck may cost much more, and past booking prices have reached around $350 for that style of experience. That is a very different purchase from the base fare, so compare the inclusions before selecting a category.

I would not call the upper deck necessary for most people. The standard boat still has floor-to-ceiling windows, deck space, guides, and the same core route. The premium choice makes more sense when you are celebrating, want drinks included, or place a high value on extra comfort.

Weather also affects value. On a bright day, the scenery can be breathtaking and the outdoor decks add a great deal. On a cold, wet day, you may spend most of the time behind windows with limited visibility. The cruise still offers history, lunch, and commentary, but the scenic return is smaller.

What the crew and commentary add

The crew receives some of the strongest praise, and that is important on a six-hour trip. Friendly service makes a difference when passengers need help with seating, food, drinks, and moving between the boat and island.

The guides provide commentary about the river, harbour, islands, and the importance of the protected area. At Sarah Island, the presentation is especially lively. A guide named Dave is singled out for an excellent Sarah Island performance, so expect the shore program to have a theatrical edge rather than a dry lecture.

The commentary also helps you notice details that could otherwise pass by. Trout and salmon farms, the harbour entrance, the shipyard story, and the change to electric propulsion all gain meaning when explained as part of the wider region.

One small service issue is worth noting. A premium price can raise expectations, and a few passengers have wanted more gracious handling of late requests for soft drinks. This does not appear to define the overall service, but it is a reminder that the experience is polished without being a private yacht charter.

Weather, comfort, and practical preparation

Pack a warm jacket. That is the most useful advice for this trip, especially if you plan to spend time outside. Cold and wind can arrive quickly on the harbour, and one particularly cool day made outdoor viewing difficult.

Wear practical shoes for Sarah Island. The exact walking conditions are not specified, but you will leave the vessel for a guided visit, so footwear suited to an outdoor stop is sensible.

The boat has indoor seating, restrooms, interpretive displays, and large windows. Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, the day is long, and anyone with mobility or stamina concerns should consider the shore walk before booking.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to three full days before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this Gordon River experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want nature and history together. The Gordon River supplies the calm scenery, while Sarah Island gives the day purpose and texture.

It also suits families, older visitors, and people who prefer a planned outing. The allocated seating, onboard restrooms, included lunch, and organised shore stop keep the day simple. One particularly meaningful use of the cruise is as a special outing for an older family member, since you can see a great deal without constantly changing vehicles or hotels.

The cruise is less suitable if you need complete weather control or dislike group activities. Up to 190 people may be onboard, and the Sarah Island presentation follows a set schedule. You also need to accept that rain or fog can reduce the views.

If you have an extra evening in Strahan, pair the cruise with The Ship That Never Was. The cruise supplies the real locations and background, while the theatre production offers another way to connect with Sarah Island’s past.

Should you book the Gordon River Cruise?

Yes, if you have a day in Strahan and the forecast looks reasonable. The combination of quiet electric cruising, a chef-prepared lunch, Hells Gates, the Gordon River, and Sarah Island gives you a strong sense of western Tasmania in one well-managed outing.

Book the standard seating if you mainly want scenery, commentary, and history. Pay for the Premier Upper Deck only if included drinks and extra comfort justify the higher cost for you.

I would avoid locking in a nonrefundable date when the forecast looks poor. With a clear or partly clear day, this is one of the most useful ways to experience the region. With heavy rain and poor visibility, the history remains worthwhile, but the river scenery may not deliver what you paid to see.

FAQ

Where does the Gordon River Cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from 24 Esplanade, Strahan, Tasmania 7468.

What time does the cruise start?

The morning cruise starts at 8:00 am.

How long does the Gordon River Cruise last?

The experience lasts about six hours and ends back at the Strahan cruise terminal.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The morning cruise includes a chef-prepared buffet lunch, with vegetarian options available.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are included when you select the Premier Upper Deck. Main Deck passengers can buy drinks at the cash bar.

Does the cruise visit Sarah Island?

Yes. You spend about one hour ashore at Sarah Island with a guided walk and theatrical presentation about its convict settlement and shipbuilding past.

Is the boat suitable for most people?

Most people can participate. The boat has restrooms, indoor interpretive facilities, large windows, and deck space. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The cruise also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same type of alternative or refund if that minimum is not met.