World Heritage Cruises Morning Cruise Upper Deck Centre Seating

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A six-hour cruise from Strahan through Hells Gates, ashore on the Sarah Island convict settlement and up the Gordon River into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. You sit in an upper deck centre seat on Harbour Master II, with morning tea, lunch and a drink included.

Days

About 6 hours

Group size

Shared cruise, allocated seats

Start / finish

Strahan / Macquarie Harbour / Gordon River / Strahan
Strahan wharf, about 3pm

Return

Strahan wharf, about 3pm

Transport

Harbour Master II, a 35 metre catamaran

Meals

Morning tea, lunch and a drink

Route

Map of World Heritage Cruises Morning Cruise Upper Deck Centre Seating

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Included experiences

Hells Gates — cruise through the harbour entrance past its lighthouses
Sarah Island — guided walk around the convict settlement
Gordon River — two hours on the dark, still water
Heritage Landing — rainforest boardwalk among Huon pines
Huon pine sawmill — the timber heritage of the west coast

World Heritage Cruises Morning Cruise Upper Deck Centre Seating

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Itinerary

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MORNING: STRAHAN WHARF AND HARBOUR MASTER II

Collect your tickets at the booking office at 18 Esplanade on Strahan wharf, beside the boat, and board from 8:30am. Harbour Master II is a 35 metre catamaran built in Tasmania and launched in 2020 for these waters, with big windows and four outdoor viewing decks. Your seat is a centre pair on the upper deck, with the higher views and the windows and the large covered stern deck a few steps away. Your seat is your base for the day, but you're free to roam all three decks. She leaves at 9am, with live commentary from the skipper and guides as you go. Morning tea comes round once you're under way, and a drink is included with your lunch.

ACROSS MACQUARIE HARBOUR TO HELLS GATES

The first stretch crosses Macquarie Harbour, about three times the size of Sydney Harbour, towards its only way to the sea. Hells Gates is the narrow, lighthouse-marked entrance from the Southern Ocean, named by convicts on their way to the island prison inside. With the open ocean just beyond the heads, you get a sense of how cut off this coast once was. On the way back in, the boat passes the salmon and ocean trout pens at Liberty Point, and a taste of that fish turns up in your lunch later.

SARAH ISLAND

Next you step ashore on Sarah Island with a guide. From 1822 to 1833 it held the convicts who had reoffended elsewhere in the colony, and it was one of the harshest penal settlements Australia ever had, older than Port Arthur. The convicts here ended up running one of the country's largest shipbuilding yards, using Huon pine cut from the rivers. The guided loop follows about 700 metres of gravel paths and boardwalk past the ruins of the penitentiary and workshops, while the guides tell the stories of escapes, floggings and boats.

THE GORDON RIVER AND HERITAGE LANDING

From the harbour it's about 40 km to the mouth of the Gordon River, and you then spend around two hours on the river itself, inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, listed in 1982. On a still day the tannin-dark water gives perfect mirror reflections of the forest. At Heritage Landing you walk a level 400 metre boardwalk through cool temperate rainforest, among myrtle, sassafras and Huon pine, a tree that can live for more than 2,000 years. Lunch is cooked fresh in the galley and served at your seat.

AFTERNOON: THE SAWMILL AND HOME TO STRAHAN

On the way back the boat stops at a traditional Huon pine sawmill. The timber is oily, light and almost impossible to rot, which made it the best boatbuilding wood in the world and drew the piners who once worked these rivers. You can see how the logs are milled and handle the golden wood, with its sweet, peppery scent. The cruise company has been run by the same family for more than 130 years. You tie up at Strahan around 3pm, after about 120 km on the water.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Booking office at 18 Esplanade, Strahan Wharf, next to the boat. Collect your tickets there before boarding, which starts 30 minutes before departure. All-day pay and display parking is at 10 Esplanade, about 200 metres away.
Departure time: 9am daily, except Christmas Day and the annual maintenance break in August.
Finishes: Back in Strahan about 3pm.
Fitness: Some walking ashore at Sarah Island and Heritage Landing. The upper deck is reached by stairs and has one bathroom; the large accessible bathroom and wheelchair space are on the main deck.
Dietary needs: Most dietary needs can be catered for; note them when you book, ideally at least a day ahead. On the upper deck, children can have the adult meal at no extra cost.
Please note: West coast weather changes fast, but the catamaran is built for it and cruises are not cancelled for bad weather. Assistance dogs are welcome under Parks and Wildlife guidelines.

What to bring

Rain jacket and a warm extra layer
Comfortable walking shoes
Cash for the bar (there is an ATM at the cruise terminal)
Your National Parks pass

What is included

Upper deck centre seat on Harbour Master II
Lunch featuring Tasmanian produce, served at your seat
Morning tea
A drink
Guided walk on Sarah Island
Guided rainforest boardwalk walk at Heritage Landing
Huon pine sawmill visit
Live commentary all day

Not included

Tasmanian National Parks pass — needed because the cruise enters Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park; buy it from Parks and Wildlife Tasmania
Extra drinks and snacks from the licensed bars (cash advised, as card signal on board is patchy)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.