Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Strahan, Australia
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Overview
Soak up the serene beauty of western Tasmania on a morning cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan. Pass by natural landmarks such as Hells Gates, which marks the entrance to Macquarie Harbour from the Southern Ocean. Explore a former penal colony on Sarah Island as you journey through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Includes a delicious chef-prepared lunch onboard. Select a seating category when booking.
- Enjoy the views through the boat's floor-to-ceiling windows
- Select from three seating levels on the main deck or premier upper deck
- Spirit of the Wild has a "quiet cruising" function with electric motors
- Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Tasmanian Wilderness
What's Included
- Chef Prepared Buffet lunch on the Morning Cruises
- Dedicated on-board guides
- Restroom on board
- Quiet cruising under electric motors while on the Gordon River
- Drinks, unless you travel on the Premier Upper Deck. Cash bar available on the Main Deck
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 24 Esplanade, Strahan TAS 7468, Australia
We are located in the cruise terminal on the wharf
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
This tour takes place aboard Spirit of the Wild, a spacious catamaran specially designed to travel smoothly on the Gordon River and fitted with a unique hybrid propulsion system that allows you to cruise quietly.
Depart Strahan and pass by Hells Gates, a narrow opening where the Southern Ocean meets Macquarie Harbour. As you take in the small gap—just 240 feet (80 meters)—it’s not hard to see how it got its ominous name from early sailors. Then head across the harbor, making your way to the lower reaches of the Gordon River as you pass by trout and salmon farms and the waterfront rainforest landscape of the UNESCO–listed Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Disembark at Sarah Island, a former penal colony from the 1820s and '30s, and watch a theatrical presentation to learn about its history, including how the island was once an important Australian shipyard where the boats were built by convicts.
Onboard the boat, you are welcome to visit the deck for fresh air and views and enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared buffet lunch. Your Gordon River catamaran experience ends when you return to Strahan at the cruise terminal.
Depart Strahan and pass by Hells Gates, a narrow opening where the Southern Ocean meets Macquarie Harbour. As you take in the small gap—just 240 feet (80 meters)—it’s not hard to see how it got its ominous name from early sailors. Then head across the harbor, making your way to the lower reaches of the Gordon River as you pass by trout and salmon farms and the waterfront rainforest landscape of the UNESCO–listed Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Disembark at Sarah Island, a former penal colony from the 1820s and '30s, and watch a theatrical presentation to learn about its history, including how the island was once an important Australian shipyard where the boats were built by convicts.
Onboard the boat, you are welcome to visit the deck for fresh air and views and enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared buffet lunch. Your Gordon River catamaran experience ends when you return to Strahan at the cruise terminal.
1
Gordon River
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Sarah Island
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
Gordon River Cruises
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infants are free provided they do not occupy a seat
- Tour is wheelchair accessible on the Main Deck only. Motor scooters are not permitted due to size limitations
- Wheelchair accessible
- About the boat: Spirit of the Wild features a unique hybrid propulsion system allowing you to cruise quietly on the Gordon River, as well as an environmentally designed hull to ensure minimal impact on the area’s pristine wilderness; inside, the vessel provides an optimal experience for passengers with interpretive facilities with maps, photographs and guidebooks, and plenty of deck space, including a 360° Viewing Deck at the top of the vessel.
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 190 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Vibhav_C
Incredible experience. Absolutely beautiful River Cruise with friendly staff and service. Guided walk and commentary helped learn about the history. Lunch was very good with vegetarian options available which suited us.
Highly recommended for all. This is a must do. Totally worth the money.
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,610 reviews
Craig_J, Mar 2026
Amazing trip. Wonderful, friendly staff on a beautifully appointed boat in a magical part of the World.
Deb_T, Mar 2026
Can not find a negative. A fantastic experience. Hosts were very friendly, boat comfy and clean. Food very good.Island experience very informative and entertaining.
Karen_L, Mar 2026
This cruise is good value. It features a trip out the harbour heads, a cruise down the Gordon River with a short guided walk through the forest, a delicious lunch, and a guided walk on Sarah Island to learn about its history. Commentary on board was informative. The crew worked well together to ensure a very enjoyable experience.
Xin_L, Mar 2026
The Gordon River Cruise was one of our most memorable parts during the journey to Tassie. We were well fed while cruising along Macquire Harbour and Gordon River. There were two landing sites to get out and about. Knowledgable tour guides.
Philip_G, Mar 2026
Brilliant! Friendly and knowlegable crew made it in interesting and extremely pleasant experience. The catamaran ride was comfortable smooth. Everyone went out of their way to make it an enjoyable experience.
Conrad_W, Mar 2026
Reasonable, but they do crap on about acknowledgement of first nations like programmed little puppets.
Rod_B, Feb 2026
Great cruise. Great views from all seats. Nice easy walk around Sarah Island. The lunch was fresh and plentiful
Debbie_B, Feb 2026
Great service from the friendly ladies in the ticket office/shop to the staff on board. Very comfortable seats. Wonderful food selection for lunch, chicken, smoked salmon, prawns, pasta, salads, rolls and all great quality. Great selection of Tasmanian alcohol and snacks (not included in your ticket price).
We loved the whole trip it was SO informative and beautiful.
Highly recommended trip.
raymond_f, Feb 2026
From the time we arrived and boarded the vessel, we treated very special, all staff were great, the food was exceptional and l couldn't fault anything except the weather, and that didn't even put a damper on the day
Steven_J, Feb 2026
Very boring and ran out of food for lunch , nothing to look at but trees and water …………………..won’t be back and too expensive
Yamin_b, Feb 2026
One of the best in tasmania .
From one side the ocean , the other side the gordon river with the special nature of tasmania. Also the stuff and service on board are very good
Vibhav_C, Jan 2026
Incredible experience. Absolutely beautiful River Cruise with friendly staff and service. Guided walk and commentary helped learn about the history. Lunch was very good with vegetarian options available which suited us.
Highly recommended for all. This is a must do. Totally worth the money.
Amy_M, Jan 2026
The day was perfect. Staff were exceptional and so friendly. They knew what they were talking about. Lots of information. Boat was really tidy and very comfortable
Danae_J, Jan 2026
Two short walking trips on 2 Islands were brilliant. One on Sarah Island, first convict penal settlement.
Anjana_D, Dec 2025
Great service from the crew at Gordon river cruises. Make sure you carry a warm jacket if you are planning to spend time on the deck.
Tom_B, Nov 2025
Could and should have been sooo much better if boat was equipped with any system that allowed vision from windows in inclemt weather [ which is normal situation at location. It need not be sophisticated, but zero vis. on a AU$ 200 / seat day is NOT acceptable.
I would not recommend the experience in inclement weather, which is common in the area.
Helen_C, Oct 2025
Fantastic experience with history and nature. Staff were wonderful and informative. A beautiful way to travel and immerse yourself in the World Heritage area of the Gordon River.
Melinda_R, Oct 2025
This was a fantastic day cruise that would highly recommend to do. Stuff was fantastic and lunch was very nice.
Breanna_S, Oct 2025
Lovely experience on the water. Nice and relaxing trip along the river. Was nice looking at the views from outside
Jennifer_B, Oct 2025
From boarding with friendly staff and allocated seats (no rush to get a good seat-all seats have a great view) to service on the boat the hostess were amazing. They gave us lots of informative information about the area and the islands. Food and drinks were awesome. A great trip all round.
Barb_H, Oct 2025
Very organised. Staff all happy and a pleasure to be around. Lunch was nice variety. Loved seat allocations. Sarah Island tour leader very entertaining. Even booking office was pleasant experience.
I_M, Oct 2025
Informative commentary about the history and significance of the area, great interacting staff and top notch service
djridings6, Sep 2025
Its a must do activity. There is so much to see and learn. The lunch provided was excellent and they moved all of the passengers through quickly.
Carolyn_C, Sep 2025
Absolutely fantastic tour. The entire trip from start to finish was excellent. Couldn’t recommend more highly.
Emma_B, Aug 2025
We have such a fabulous experience on our cruise. Nothing to fault. From the location, the weather, the guides, the boat, the staff it was a totally memorable and enjoyable experience.
Stacey_W, Jul 2025
Must do, breathtaking, service was outstanding, all crew members should be proud of the job they do!!
Tania_S, Jul 2025
Just to relax and enjoy your day everything is taken care off.
The staff are wounder.
Just remember to enjoy the Wounders of the Gorden River
Salinah_Z, May 2025
I enjoyed the entire trip because I love nature. From the time The Spirit Of The Wild left the port to Gordon River to Sarah Island and back. The history of the places that the cruise took me is very interesting.
Shona_P, May 2025
Was an amazing experience. Great staff. Enjoyable food and over all memorable day. The Gordon River is just breath taking.
Wendy_C, May 2025
Great cruise.
Very informative - especially Sarah Island.
Helpful staff.
Lovely lunch.
We had the middle main deck (the other options do get quite expensive) there were only 40 people on board when we went, I think the view and experience would be quite different with more people.
Definitely pair with 'The Ship that Never Was' they complement each other.
From $120.06
per personup to 3 days in advance
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan
1,610
6 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$120.06
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Water Tours
- Audio Guides
- Day Cruises
- Half-day Tours
- Catamaran Cruises
- Historical Tours
- Cruises & Sailing
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- Strahan
- Audio Guides - Burnie
- Half-day Tours - Burnie
- Historical Tours - Burnie
- Water Tours - Launceston
- Audio Guides - Launceston
- Day Cruises - Launceston
- Half-day Tours - Launceston
- Catamaran Cruises - Launceston
- Historical Tours - Launceston
Attractions in Strahan, Australia
More attractions near Strahan, Australia