A small, tree-covered island with a moored boat is surrounded by calm water along the scenic route of the Gordon River Cruise, with mountains visible in the background under a blue sky.
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Spectacular Gordon River Cruise

from A$355
6 hours
Strahan
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (72 hours prior)

Spend six hours on Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River aboard Spirit of the Wild, from the rough waters of Hells Gates to a salmon farm tasting, a rainforest boardwalk at Heritage Landing and a guided tour of the Sarah Island convict ruins. Buffet lunch is included, with several seating options from the main deck to the Premier Upper Deck.

  • A small, tree-covered island with a moored boat is surrounded by calm water along the scenic route of the Gordon River Cruise, with mountains visible in the background under a blue sky.
  • A winding Gordon River surrounded by dense green forest and hills under a partly cloudy sky, with tree reflections visible in the water—an unforgettable scene you might experience on a Spectacular Cruise along the Gordon River.
  • A narrow boardwalk leads over still water towards dense green forest, ending at a small wooden platform with a blue bench—an inviting scene reminiscent of the tranquil beauty experienced on a Gordon River Cruise.
  • A small, tree-covered island with a moored boat is surrounded by calm water along the scenic route of the Gordon River Cruise, with mountains visible in the background under a blue sky.
  • A winding Gordon River surrounded by dense green forest and hills under a partly cloudy sky, with tree reflections visible in the water—an unforgettable scene you might experience on a Spectacular Cruise along the Gordon River.
  • A narrow boardwalk leads over still water towards dense green forest, ending at a small wooden platform with a blue bench—an inviting scene reminiscent of the tranquil beauty experienced on a Gordon River Cruise.

Quick read before you book.

  • Run the gauntlet of Hells Gates by morning
  • Taste salmon and trout straight from the harbour farms
  • Mirror still reflections on a near silent river
  • Convict stories told by the people who lived them
  • Strahan's classic full morning on the water, back by mid afternoon

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.8 Stars|2,055 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Grab a window seat if you can and bring a jacket for the outside decks.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • About 6 hour cruise from Strahan aboard Spirit of the Wild, departing 8:30am
  • Passage through Hells Gates at the mouth of Macquarie Harbour
  • Stop at the harbour fish farms with a tasting of local salmon and trout
  • Quiet cruising on electric motors along the Gordon River
  • Guided boardwalk walk at Heritage Landing
  • Guided interpretive tour of the Sarah Island convict ruins
  • Chef prepared buffet lunch
  • Onboard guides and character based interpretation
  • Cash bar on the main deck, on Main Deck options
  • Open bar, leather recliners and a private viewing deck and lounge, on the Premier Upper Deck option

Commonly asked questions.

Check in from 8:00am at the Gordon River Cruises terminal, 24 Esplanade, Strahan. The cruise departs at 8:30am and is back around 2:30pm, giving you about six hours on the water.

Every seat includes a chef prepared buffet lunch, plus a taste of local salmon and trout at the fish farms. Main Deck guests can buy drinks at the cash bar, while the Premier Upper Deck includes an open bar for the cruise.

All three share the same route, walks and lunch. Main Deck Window puts you right beside the glass, and Premier Upper Deck adds leather recliners, a private viewing deck and lounge, and drinks included.

Yes. Child fares cover ages 3 to 16 and infants under 2 travel free, one per paying adult and without their own seat, while children on the Premier Upper Deck pay the adult fare.

Most days it runs, though the Master may change the route or cancel for weather or safety reasons. If the operator cancels or changes the itinerary you can take a full refund or rebook a cruise of equal value.

Cancel more than 72 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 72 hours of the cruise are not refunded.

Layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes, as the west coast is often cool and wet and you will be stepping ashore twice. Our Australia packing list covers the rest.

The main deck is wheelchair accessible, though mobility scooters cannot be taken on board. Call the operator before booking to check access on the Heritage Landing boardwalk and at Sarah Island.

More about this tour.

Strahan's signature day on the water starts early and heads straight for the drama. You leave the wharf at 8:30am and cruise out through Hells Gates, the narrow, notoriously rough entrance to Macquarie Harbour, before turning back across Macquarie Harbour towards the mouth of the Gordon River.Along the way Spirit of the Wild slows beside the harbour's salmon and trout farms, where you get a taste of the local produce. Then the boat switches to electric motors in Whisper Mode for the upstream run, sliding almost silently past mirror still reflections deep into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.At Heritage Landing you walk elevated boardwalks through ancient temperate rainforest with a guide, and on the way home you land on Sarah Island for a guided tour of its convict ruins. Between stops, onboard stories bring to life characters such as Captain James Kelly, Lady Jane Franklin, Aboriginal Tasmanians, convicts, piners and the activists who fought to save the river. A chef prepared buffet lunch keeps you going.This tour has multiple options;
  • Main Deck Central: central seating on the main deck, buffet lunch and a cash bar
  • Main Deck Window: main deck seating right beside the windows, buffet lunch and a cash bar
  • Premier Upper Deck: leather recliners by full length windows, a private viewing deck and lounge, and an open bar for the cruise
Visiting Strahan in summer? The Gordon River Evening Dinner Cruise runs on select dates and ends with sunset at Hells Gates. Building a wider loop? Our 7 days in Tasmania itinerary shows how the west coast fits in. Explore the options below, check availability for your date, then book the one that suits your day.

Additional info.

Check in from 8:00am at the Gordon River Cruises terminal, 24 Esplanade, Strahan. The cruise departs daily at 8:30am and returns around 2:30pm. The vessel occasionally takes scheduled maintenance breaks, so check availability for your date.
  • Child fares apply to ages 3 to 16. Infants under 2 travel free, one per paying adult, without a guaranteed seat. Child fares are not offered on the Premier Upper Deck, where children travel on an adult fare.
  • Dietary requirements can be catered for when you let the operator know at booking.
  • You cannot bring your own alcohol on board, and alcohol is not served to anyone under 18.
  • The main deck is wheelchair accessible and mobility scooters cannot be taken on board. Call the operator to discuss access at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island.
  • West coast weather changes fast. Bring a warm, waterproof jacket for the outside decks and comfortable walking shoes for the two guided walks.
  • The Master can cancel or alter a cruise for weather or safety reasons, and if the operator cancels or changes the itinerary you can choose a full refund or rebook onto a cruise of equal value.
  • Cancellations made more than 72 hours before departure receive a full refund. No refund applies to cancellations within 72 hours of departure.