Every destination has a story to tell, and so does Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania! Tucked away on Tasmania’s remote west coast, this vast, windswept waterway—six times the size of Sydney Harbour, has been the stage for tales of survival, tragedy and the rise of industry. Macquarie Harbour is a living museum in the history of Tasmania, from the infamous penal colony on Sarah Island to the ghostly shipwrecks resting beneath its dark waters.
Today, visitors are drawn not only to its rugged beauty but also to the stories that echo across its shores. A journey through Macquarie Harbour is more than just sightseeing—it’s an immersion into a landscape where history and nature intertwine.
Haven for Nature and Adventure
The Macquarie Harbour and its surrounding landscapes are part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Listed Area, protecting ancient rainforests and home to rare wildlife. Dolphins are also often seen playing in the harbour, adding to its rich natural beauty.
The Strahan Gordon River cruises are the ultimate way to experience this remote wilderness. Cruise through the tranquil Gordon River, where mirror-like reflections reveal towering Huon Pine and lush greenery, before passing through dense rainforests and historic sites on the still waters of Macquarie Harbour.
Gateway To The Unknown
Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania stretches over 280 square kilometres, making it one of the largest natural harbours in Australia. Fed by the pristine waters of the Gordon and King Rivers, its most formidable feature is ‘Hells Gate’—a name as ominous as it sounds. This dangerous, narrow channel guards the entrance to the harbour, with fierce tides and hidden sandbanks that have claimed many vessels over the years.
This name was given by convicts who saw it as the gateway to their suffering at Sarah Island, the infamous penal settlement within the harbour. Yet, beyond these rough waters lies a place of extraordinary natural wonder. Those joining the popular World Heritage Cruises in Tasmania will cruise through the narrow channel entrance of Hells Gate and into Macquarie Harbour, where you come across an incredible array of fish farms and the pristine wilderness of the Gordon River.
Sarah Island’s Forgotten Stories
In 1822, Macquarie Harbour became home to one of the most infamous penal settlements in Australian history—Sarah Island. Intended as a harsh punishment for reoffending convicts, it was surrounded by dense rainforests and freezing waters, making escape nearly impossible.
Later, convicts built some of the best ships in the colony, using the region’s prized Huon Pine. What began as a prison soon became a thriving shipbuilding hub. By 1833, Sarah Island was abandoned as a penal station. Today, its ruins remain, softened by time and nature. On a Gordon River cruise, knowledgeable guides bring the island’s dramatic past to life, allowing visitors to sense the resilience of those who once walked its grounds.
Maritime Ghosts Beneath The Surface
The waters of Macquarie Harbour hold more than just the ghosts of convicts of the past. It has the remains of dozens of shipwrecks, some dating back to the early 19th century. Among them is the famously stolen ship by convicts who made one of the most daring escapes in history. Today, beneath the tannin-stained waters, the wrecks are eerily well-preserved, thanks to the unique conditions of the harbour, which prevent the growth of wood-eating organisms.
Macquarie Harbour is more than a place on a map—it is a testament to endurance, a stage for human drama and a sanctuary of raw, unspoiled nature. It is where history and wilderness collide, where every wave carries an untold story and where those who listen carefully might still hear the echoes of the past.
Today, visitors are drawn not only to its rugged beauty but also to the stories that echo across its shores. A journey through Macquarie Harbour is more than just sightseeing—it’s an immersion into a landscape where history and nature intertwine.
Haven for Nature and Adventure
The Macquarie Harbour and its surrounding landscapes are part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Listed Area, protecting ancient rainforests and home to rare wildlife. Dolphins are also often seen playing in the harbour, adding to its rich natural beauty.
The Strahan Gordon River cruises are the ultimate way to experience this remote wilderness. Cruise through the tranquil Gordon River, where mirror-like reflections reveal towering Huon Pine and lush greenery, before passing through dense rainforests and historic sites on the still waters of Macquarie Harbour.
Gateway To The Unknown
Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania stretches over 280 square kilometres, making it one of the largest natural harbours in Australia. Fed by the pristine waters of the Gordon and King Rivers, its most formidable feature is ‘Hells Gate’—a name as ominous as it sounds. This dangerous, narrow channel guards the entrance to the harbour, with fierce tides and hidden sandbanks that have claimed many vessels over the years.
This name was given by convicts who saw it as the gateway to their suffering at Sarah Island, the infamous penal settlement within the harbour. Yet, beyond these rough waters lies a place of extraordinary natural wonder. Those joining the popular World Heritage Cruises in Tasmania will cruise through the narrow channel entrance of Hells Gate and into Macquarie Harbour, where you come across an incredible array of fish farms and the pristine wilderness of the Gordon River.
Sarah Island’s Forgotten Stories
In 1822, Macquarie Harbour became home to one of the most infamous penal settlements in Australian history—Sarah Island. Intended as a harsh punishment for reoffending convicts, it was surrounded by dense rainforests and freezing waters, making escape nearly impossible.
Later, convicts built some of the best ships in the colony, using the region’s prized Huon Pine. What began as a prison soon became a thriving shipbuilding hub. By 1833, Sarah Island was abandoned as a penal station. Today, its ruins remain, softened by time and nature. On a Gordon River cruise, knowledgeable guides bring the island’s dramatic past to life, allowing visitors to sense the resilience of those who once walked its grounds.
Maritime Ghosts Beneath The Surface
The waters of Macquarie Harbour hold more than just the ghosts of convicts of the past. It has the remains of dozens of shipwrecks, some dating back to the early 19th century. Among them is the famously stolen ship by convicts who made one of the most daring escapes in history. Today, beneath the tannin-stained waters, the wrecks are eerily well-preserved, thanks to the unique conditions of the harbour, which prevent the growth of wood-eating organisms.
Macquarie Harbour is more than a place on a map—it is a testament to endurance, a stage for human drama and a sanctuary of raw, unspoiled nature. It is where history and wilderness collide, where every wave carries an untold story and where those who listen carefully might still hear the echoes of the past.
