Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River departing Strahan

9am daily your cruise departs Strahan for a 6hr journey you will long remember.

Your first point of interest is Hells Gates, the narrow-channel entrance from the wild Southern Ocean to Macquarie Harbour, named by the convicts on their way to “Hell on Earth, (Sarah Island)

Continue along the harbour to see aquaculture pens stocked with thousands of ocean trout and Atlantic salmon, enjoy a sample of our local produce in your buffet lunch.

Your first stop off the boat is Sarah Island, a one hour guided tour on the island conveys a keen appreciation of the harsh conditions at what was Tasmania's first and perhaps most notorious penal settlement, relive the absorbing tale of how the convicts turned a hell on earth into one of the largest ship building yards in Australia.

Step back on-board where your crew will have your buffet lunch ready and enjoy some of Tasmania'a local produce, while enjoying your lunch you will cruise slowly along the majestic Gordon River and rediscover serenity while gliding deep into the ancient rainforest. Disembark at Heritage Landing for a stroll along the boardwalk through the Unesco listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and see the hushed, lichen-covered rainforest and one of its oldest inhabitants a 2000-year-old Huon Pine tree.

Board once more and sit back and relax while you make your journey back to Strahan, at the end disembark for a demonstration at a Huon Pine sawmill where the smell of this unique timber is unforgettable.

The whole adventure is completed by engaging live on-board commentary on the area's human history, ecology and geology, a commentary enriched with anecdotes from the Grining family’s own experiences from more than a century of cruising this famous river.

Our 35mtr catamaran “Harbour Master” is a first class, purpose built boat. the vessel offers three options of passenger seating – standard, premium and Gold. Huge windows provide uninterrupted panoramic viewing and all seating is allocated with access to walk freely all over the vessel including a visit to the wheelhouse, the generous outside deck areas allow you to enjoy the spectacular views and take in some of the freshest air in the world.