Macquarie Harbour and Sarah Island
A day or two on Macquarie Harbour reveals much to the visitor besides its most famous icon - the Gordan River. This body of water is six times the size of Sydney Harbour. Macquarie Heads provides great beach fishing and good views and regular spotting of dolphin pods.
Just north of Hell's Gates, the spectacular entrance to Macquarie Harbour, is Ocean beach, a 40km stretch that faces 8000km of Great Southern Ocean. From the viewing platform watch the Muttonbirds return from a day's feeding to their nests at dusk and depart again at dawn.
To the south is the Cape Sorrell lighthouse , the second highest in the Southern Hemisphere. Good abalone and cray fishing and sightings of muttonbirds feeding, seals basking and whales in spring.
Fish farms in the centre of the harbour produce over 9000 tonnes of fish. A coal seam runs under the water and the shores contain some of the oldest plant fossils ever found.
A rich and dramatic convict and pioneer past is spilt across the harbour. From 1822 to 1830, Sarah Island was the home of a harsh convict settlement, with logging and boat building from the locally sought Huon Pine being the main trade. Today a tour of the ruins on Sarah Island is a fascinating part of the Gordon River Cruise and World Heritage Cruise. Other historical sites include, Brickmaker's Bay, Grummet Rock, Halliday's Island, Sophia Point, Philips Island, Kelly Basin, Farm Cove and Boom Camp.
Aboriginal Heritage
The four tribes of the Palawa people of the West Coast occupied lands adjacent to Macquarie Harbour and the women may have used Sarah Island (Langerrareroune) as a meeting place. Middens (large mounds of shells) can be found along the coast. Many present day Palawa have returned to the area. More...
Cruise the Gordon River
Fully guided tour of the Gordon
River, see Tasmania's famous fish farms, go ashore and explore Sarah
Island then cruise the Gordon for two hours where lunch is available
for purchase on board. Stop at Heritage Landing and discover ancient
rainforest. Cruise takes approx. 6 hours.
World Heritage Cruises – departs daily 9am - Book a World Heritage Cruise
Gordon River Cruises – departs daily at 8.30am - Book a Gordon River Cruise
Both cruises operate afternoon cruises during the summer months.
Hobie Catamaran Adventure Sailing
A personal guided tour on Macquarie Harbour. More...
Roaring Forties Marine Charters and Strahan Marine Charters
Fishing and sightseeing charters of Macquarie Harbour or Deep Sea fishing/crayfishing
Charters can be from 1 - 6 hours. More...
Shearwater Shuttle Bus
Daily, January - March (if demand is strong) the Shearwater shuttle bus takes tourists to see the mutton birds fly into their burrows at Ocean Beach. A parks and wildlife ranger also provides a free talk. More...
The Ship That Never Was
Live professional theatre production based on a real event in 1843. Dramatic and hilarious true story. The show goes for approx. 1 hour and is on everyday at 5.30pm. Twice daily from 27 December to 26 January at 5.30pm and 8.30pm. Next to the West Coast Visitor Information Centre, The Esplanade, Strahan. Tel: (03) 6471 7700. More...
