Tasmania: River Cruise in Australia's Natural Paradise

Only 1.3 million travelers visit Tasmania annually. There's so much to see, especially during a river cruise on the Gordon River. For travel bettercities.net Sabrina, the Australian state is a real top spot.

Slowly, the morning fog over Strahan and the Macquarie Harbour clears. The town, with fewer than 700 residents on Tasmania's west coast, is the starting point for a special experience: a trip on the Gordon River.

It's 8 AM. The small harbor, where the 'Spirit of the Wild' is docked, is bustling. More and more people are arriving and boarding the ship. Exactly at 8:30 AM, it departs for today's river cruise. The nearly 112-foot-long hybrid-powered catamaran first sails through Macquarie Harbour.

We settle into comfortable, wide leather seats on the Premier Upper Deck. As the landscape passes by the large panoramic windows, the crew ensures the journey is memorable for another reason - thanks to the fine selection of food and drinks.

The trip begins with a small breakfast of pastries and fruit. By late morning, canapés are served, followed by a buffet lunch. Delicacies such as steamed trout with a lemon myrtle butter sauce or smoked salmon from Macquarie Harbour are offered alongside Tasmanian wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages.

The first destination of the journey is the famous Hells Gates - a sea channel that forms the entrance to Macquarie Harbour. Known for its currents and shallows, the boat rocks noticeably as we pass through. Shortly after the 'Spirit of the Wild' turns around and re-enters the bay, it calms down again.

During the journey, we learn a wealth of information thanks to an audio guide. For instance, that about 60 shipwrecks are located in the relatively small 122-square-mile bay. Or that the salmon farms we pass on the way to the Gordon River have been controversial due to environmental issues. Also, that a purchase of over 40,000 fish from the breeders allows you to specify the color of the salmon fillet: Europeans prefer it lighter, while the darker salmon is popular in the Asian market.

Finally, the 'Spirit of the Wild' enters the lower reaches of the Gordon River, part of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Captain Pete Thompson switches to electric power. The ship glides almost silently. Passengers are treated to a unique spectacle.

The trees and shrubs on the shore reflect on the smooth water surface, and if you don't look closely, you might struggle to tell the difference between the sky and the earth. The water is so pure that it has drinking-water quality - even though its color resembles weak tea.

Another highlight of the tour is the visit to Sarah Island. This small island served as a penal colony from 1822 to 1834 - the first in Australia. In its early years, it was even considered the most severe prison of the British Empire. The convicts were also the ones who gave the channel name Hells Gate, which they had to pass through on their way to the penal colony.

Today, only a few ruins on the island remind us of its past. Most of the buildings were made of wood and have long since decayed. Yet, guides bring history to life during the brief stop on the island. They provide a striking insight into the harsh conditions of imprisonment. We learn that prisoners were tasked with felling Huon pines in the area. Much of the wood was shipped to Hobart, and the rest was used by the men to build ships.

'Sarah Island was regarded as hell on earth,' says tour guide Ingrid Luker. That's likely why convicts repeatedly attempted to escape from the island. However, only a few succeeded. The last escape attempt is also the most famous: In 1834, ten convicts commandeered the last ship built in the colony. Instead of sailing to the new prison Port Arthur on Tasmania's east coast, the convicts had other plans. Their adventurous journey eventually ended in Chile.

During a brief shore excursion, passengers have the opportunity to delve into the area's rich flora and fauna. They can find valuable information not only on info boards but also through interactions with one of the guides.

For example, we learn that in 1982, the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, along with other parks, was declared part of the Tasmanian Wilderness UNESCO World Heritage site. The felling of the rare Huon pine, which once grew abundantly here, was banned. Even to dispose of dead wood today, a special permit is required. Soon, the ship's horn sounds, signaling the impending departure to the next stop.

Travel: Various airlines offer routes with a stopover in Melbourne. From there, continue to Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. It's another 186 miles to Strahan, which takes at least four hours by rental car. On a tour, stops at Lake St. Clair and the old mining town of Queenstown are recommended.

The journey was supported by Tourism Australia and Tourism Tasmania. The selection and direction of the content are solely at the editors' discretion.

Travel Reporter