TasVacations Blog

Gordon Wild Rivers Explorer - Strahan

Today we were fortunate enough to travel to Strahan with Par Avion to experience the award-winning Gordon River Cruise. Our day started early with our flight departing Cambridge Airport at 7am. With clear skies for the duration of the flight we had great views of the Central Highland area before descending into Strahan over Macquarie Harbour.  Upon arrival at Strahan Airport we were given a warm welcome before being transferred into Strahan to board the Cruise.

We were seated in the Premier Upper Deck area, with leather recliner seats and full-length windows. Inclusions for this seating type are complimentary drinks throughout the cruise, morning and afternoon tea, along with canapes are served, as well as a long table lunch including fresh local seafood. A special mention to Michelle and Candice who did a wonderful job making sure we were well looked after on the cruise and provided great insight into the history and tales surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage Area.

The cruise departed Strahan at 8.30am, first travelling to ‘Hells Gates’, the mouth of Macquarie Harbour before cruising past local salmon and trout farms. We then headed up the Gordon River to ‘Heritage Landing’, our first stop for the day. We enjoyed a short walk through the rainforest surrounded by ancient Huon Pines. As we headed back up the Gordon River, we enjoyed our delicious lunch. Arriving at Sarah Island we disembarked the boat again and took a guided tour of the penal settlement where convicts laboured under the hardest conditions. The cruise arrived back into Strahan at 2.30pm and with a little time to spare before our transfer back to Strahan Airport we had a walk around the Esplanade, visited the local information centre and the Wilderness Woodworks centre.

Our journey back to Hobart was a short 50-minute flight, landing around 5pm. The Gordon Wild Rivers Explorer tour was a fun filled, relaxing day experiencing some of the best sights, views and food that Tasmania’s West Coast has to offer.

Experience this for yourself on our Get Airborne to Strahan tailored touring package.