Cradle Coast Gordon River Cruises

Cradle Coast cruises are mostly river trips from Strahan on Tasmania's west coast, with a harbour cruise also built into a day tour from Hobart. For departure times, terminals and operators, see Gordon River cruises from Strahan, and for walks, towns and day tours nearby, see things to do on the Cradle Coast.

Cruising the west coast from Strahan

Strahan sits on Macquarie Harbour, Australia's second-largest natural harbour, a 3-hour drive (226 km) from Devonport. Cruises leave from the Esplanade, pass through Hells Gates where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean, and head up the Gordon River into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Stops include a walk at Heritage Landing and a guided visit to Sarah Island, the former penal colony.

Lunch cruises and dinner cruises

Day cruises on the river are 6-hour trips with lunch on board, and evening cruises add a buffet dinner and a sunset at Hells Gates. A morning cruise with a chef-prepared buffet lunch is a popular choice, World Heritage Cruises' morning cruise with lunch serves individual meals on trays, and the evening dinner cruise checks in at 3.30pm for a 3.45pm departure.

A harbour cruise inside a day tour

Port Arthur's harbour cruise is part of the full-day Port Arthur, Richmond and Tasman Peninsula tour from Hobart, alongside the Port Arthur Historic Site, the Waterfall Bay clifftop walk and Richmond Village. It leaves the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 20 Davey St, Hobart at 7.30am Monday to Friday and returns at about 6pm.

Pairing a cruise with a day on land

A river cruise takes most of a day, so it sits best between land days rather than on top of one. Cradle Mountain, the region's walking country, is covered by day tours from Launceston, listed under Cradle Coast tours.

What to bring on the water

Weather on the river is variable, so layers are recommended, with a warm jacket for the outside decks and a rain jacket for the walks at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island. Anyone with allergies or intolerances needs to tell the operator when booking.

Evening cruises are timed for the longer summer days, and World Heritage Cruises does not run its morning cruise between 15 July and 15 August each year for annual maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you take a cruise on the Cradle Coast?

Gordon River cruises leave from the Esplanade in Strahan on Tasmania's west coast, and a Port Arthur harbour cruise is included in full-day tours from Hobart that cover the Tasman Peninsula.

How long is a Gordon River cruise from Strahan?

A Gordon River cruise from Strahan is a 6-hour trip, whether it is a morning cruise with lunch or an evening cruise with dinner.

What time should I arrive for a Gordon River cruise?

Boarding for the 8.30am Gordon River Cruises departure starts at 8.15am, and guests on the evening dinner cruise check in by 3.30pm for a 3.45pm departure. World Heritage Cruises' morning cruise leaves at 9am from 18 Esplanade.

Is a harbour cruise included in the Port Arthur tour from Hobart?

Yes. The full-day Port Arthur, Richmond and Tasman Peninsula tour from Hobart includes a Port Arthur harbour cruise and entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Do Gordon River cruises stop for walks?

Yes. Gordon River cruises from Strahan include a boardwalk walk at Heritage Landing and a guided stop at Sarah Island, so bring a rain jacket.

Cruising on the Cradle Coast starts in Strahan, with a harbour cruise as an add-on to day tours from Hobart. For walking days to sit alongside them, browse day tours around the Cradle Coast.