Gordon River Cruises Strahan

Cruises from Strahan cross Macquarie Harbour and run up the Gordon River into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Day cruises include lunch, evening cruises include dinner, and departures leave from the Strahan Esplanade. For the rest of the town, see things to do in Strahan.

What a Gordon River cruise from Strahan covers

Every cruise follows the same route: out across Macquarie Harbour, through Hells Gates where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean, then up the Gordon River. Stops include a boardwalk walk at Heritage Landing and a guided visit to Sarah Island, the former penal colony, with commentary and interpretation on board.

Gordon River Cruises runs its vessel on electric motors for quiet cruising and adds a character-based interpretation experience on board.

Morning cruises with lunch

The morning cruise is a 6-hour trip. A morning cruise with a chef-prepared buffet lunch leaves at 8.30am daily and returns at 2.30pm, with boarding from 8.15am, and it is a popular choice. World Heritage Cruises leaves its wharf at 9am and returns at about 3pm, and its morning cruise with lunch serves each guest an individual meal on a tray, so there is no queue for a buffet.

That tray meal is built from Tasmanian produce: cold meats, smoked salmon, salads, cheese and biscuits, and a bread roll. World Heritage Cruises describes itself as a family owned and operated business since 1896.

Sunset sailings with dinner on board

The evening dinner cruise checks in at 3.30pm for a 3.45pm departure and is a 6-hour trip, taking in a Tasmanian sunset at Hells Gates and a chef-prepared buffet dinner. It includes walks at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island, and the vessel has premium leather recliners and full-length windows.

Evening cruises are timed for the longer summer days. World Heritage Cruises lists an afternoon cruise with dinner from late December to late January, so check the dates for the season you are visiting.

Choosing a deck and a seat

Seating is chosen at booking. Gordon River Cruises sells Main Deck central, Main Deck window and Premier Upper Deck seats, and World Heritage Cruises sells centre and window seating on the Main Deck and the Upper Deck. Guests can also head out to the outside decks for the views, so a warm jacket is worth having.

Operators and departure points

Gordon River Cruises boards at its terminal at 24 Esplanade, Strahan. World Heritage Cruises departs from its wharf at 18 Esplanade. Check the operator on your booking before you head to the waterfront.

Weather, seasons and what to bring

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.

World Heritage Cruises does not run its morning cruise between 15 July and 15 August each year for annual maintenance. Each cruise lists its own free cancellation window, so check the one you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Is lunch included on a Gordon River cruise from Strahan?

Yes, the morning Gordon River cruises from Strahan include lunch: a chef-prepared buffet with Gordon River Cruises, or an individual meal of Tasmanian produce served on trays with World Heritage Cruises. Evening cruises include dinner.

What is the difference between a lunch cruise and a dinner cruise from Strahan?

A lunch cruise leaves at 8.30am or 9am and returns in the mid-afternoon, while the dinner cruise checks in at 3.30pm, leaves at 3.45pm and adds a sunset at Hells Gates. The dinner cruise is timed for the longer summer days.

What should I bring on a Gordon River cruise?

Bring a warm jacket for the outside decks, a rain jacket for the walks at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island, and layers, because the weather on the river is variable. Anyone with allergies or intolerances should tell the operator when booking.

Can children go on a Gordon River cruise from Strahan?

Yes. Gordon River cruises from Strahan sell adult, child and infant tickets, and each operator sets its own age bands, so check the child and infant ages on the cruise you choose before booking.

Do Gordon River cruises run in winter?

World Heritage Cruises does not run its morning cruise between 15 July and 15 August each year because of annual maintenance. The evening dinner cruise is timed for the longer summer days, so check your dates before planning a winter trip.

What do you see on a Gordon River cruise?

A Gordon River cruise from Strahan passes through Hells Gates, where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean, then follows the Gordon River into World Heritage rainforest. The stops are a boardwalk walk at Heritage Landing and a guided visit to Sarah Island.

A Strahan cruise gives you a 6-hour sailing on the river with lunch, or a sunset sailing with dinner at Hells Gates. Once the water is sorted, Strahan's beaches, dunes and rainforest walks are covered on the main Strahan page.