About Gordon River

Tasmania is home to lush natural landscapes, which aren’t always easy to access. Such is the enchanting Gordon River, which meanders through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, before emptying into the Macquarie Harbour. This is where pitch-black waters mirror the skies above and nature reigns supreme. You get the picture right? 

River cruises are popular across Tasmania and a Gordon River cruise is the true way to explore the absolute best of what this region has to offer. The scenery that unfolds before your eyes is nothing short of breathtaking – imagine lush forests, tranquil waters, and rolling rain-forest clad hills all around you, creating a picture-perfect setting. While you traverse the riverways, an expert guide will regale you with stories about the area’s history, culture and traditional custodians of the land.

This river is synonymous with Australia’s wilderness, and has a rich convict history, which dates back to the early 1800s. The isolated Sarah Island within the harbour, was once a brutal penal colony and housed some of the most notorious and dangerous convicts of the time. The two-thousand-year-old Huon pine trees add to the ethereal beauty of the landscape! You can see all of these and more during a river cruise! 

The quaint town of Strahan is the gateway to Gordon River and the Tasmanian west coast. Located roughly 300 kms from Hobart, Strahan offers plenty of adventures, an abundance of fresh seafood, a dark yet rich history, and plenty of wildlife encounters! It's a destination that really leaves a mark on you! An attraction that is just as iconic as a river cruise is the steam train, which ventures through the west coast wilderness. The rail route allows you to experience the rugged, yet splendid, terrani of the region from the comfort of a train. 

You can also head to a scenic waterfall within walking distance of the Strahan Harbour, check out the Iron Blow Lookout during an epic 99-bends drive from Queenstown, get a surge of adrenaline with white-water rafting on the King River, or even take the quad for a spin on the Henty Dunes.

There are just so many great things to do in Strahan, and you don’t wanna miss it. If visiting Tasmania is on the cards and you’re planning to venture past Hobart, this town is a must!