Gordon River Catamaran Exploration Cruise

Gordon River Catamaran Exploration Cruise

Enjoy a majestic cruise along the Gordon River as it winds its way to the mouth of Macquarie Harbour and secondary waterways which have marked the site of many historic battles for our convict heritage, original settlers and conservationists. Departing Strahan, youll board the Lady Jane Franklin II where youll be privy to the Captains Premier Upper Deck with its leather seating, private viewing deck and excellent food (cold buffet of meats and salads) and wine, all included.

Your vessel for the cruise is a state of the art catamaran that produces minimal wake which is vital for our world heritage areas. As you start your cruising journey, youll explore Hells Gates, the appropriately named treacherous entrance to Macquarie Harbour which is the second-largest harbour in Australia and six times the size of Sydney Harbour.

Its unique make-up of freshwater mixed with a saltwater layer underneath means very few fish inhabit the water, although trout and salmon thrive in the mix. During your six hour cruise, youll witness the dark waters of the Gordon River with their spectacular reflections.

The region was once the site of a passionate protest over the damming of its pristine waters and a long-remembered debate that spawned the Green movement that we know today. Well also stop at one of the fish farms before passing the old penal settlement of Sarah Island.

As we slow down at the mouth of the Gordon River, well continue to cruise slowly up stream to Heritage Landing. Here, youll participate in a 30 minute guided tour of the ancient temperate rainforest viewing Huon Pine trees over 2000 years of age.

After boarding the catamaran, well indulge in a delicious lunch while we make our way back down stream to Sarah Island, where our guides will tell the stories of the convicts who were confined in Tasmanias oldest Penal settlement in the 1820s. On the return leg to Strahan you have time to relax and reflect on your Tasmanian wilderness journey.