Strahan - Heritage Cruise

The boys were pumped about going on the boat today. We missed the cruise at Port Arthur given the last one had set sail, so this was a bit of redemption.

$100 per head & the kids were free, for what was a fantastic 6hrs.

It was a comfortable, clean, friendly, scenic & informative tour that took us through Macquarie Harbour (2.5 times the size of Sydney Harbour) outside the heads (Hells Gates) into an area called the Roaring Forties where 18m waves are not uncommon. It was almost glass like today which isn't a common event considering it rains or is windy and overcast 300 days a year here. 

We went over to a remote crayfish & abalone hotspot and the skipper had plenty to say about the area given he dives and fishes there regularly.  On our return through the harbour we were educated on the $300m aquaculture industry of Tasmania where they are farming Rainbow Trout and the famous Huon Salmon. This in itself was worth the entry fee and quite amazing how they do it.

We disembarked on to Sarah Island and were treated to the best tour of an old convict settlement you could imagine. The lady was extremely animated and had the crowd in hysterics. It was obvious she took the history of the island seriously, and so she should given that apparently to this day it still rates as being the hardest place to be sent within the convict era. It made Port Arthur look like Sunday School.

A healthy buffet lunch containing the smoked Huon Salmon (which we had heard all about from the fish farming lesson) awaited us back on board, so the Manns didn't waste any time getting amongst it as we were seated right beside it.....

Great lunch, nice fruit and cheeses, good coffee.

The destination now was 12klm up the Gordon River. You may remember the protests that transpired in the 80's relating to the Tazzie Government's proposed dam (Gordon below Franklin) which inevitably was overturned by the Federal Government. Bob Brown's name popped up again as he was sent to jail for protesting over the dam, I guess this was before his political days perhaps.

I can tell you that whilst I knew about the dam back then & didnt give it much thought, until you cruise this magical wilderness you can't begin to imagine how lucky we are to still have the ability to show our kids. This was simply unbelievable and rates as one of - if not the most - picturesque places we have been. On the bow of the boat, in silence, you seriously feel like you are in another world.

The gods were with us again weather wise, and we enjoyed the best water reflections I can ever remember. Not even Milford Sound was as perfect as this was. One of the staff said they had not seen reflections so perfect for many months. It really is luck of the draw and I tend to believe her as within 10 minutes the wind came up and the glassy river turned ripple ridden.

The skipper gave us the educational piece on the Huon Pines and the wilderness in general, until we made a stop at Heritage Landing for a half hour forest walk. A 50+ lady with rock star looks gave us a narrated tour of the flora & fauna which was cool. These pine trees literally are growing out of the water, which is why they are the worlds best for boat building. One Huon pine in particular was felled last year that was 1000+ years old and it still lives. They actually reproduce from fallen trees & there are 147 varieties of plants growing from its limbs currently. Wood carvers love this timber also due to it's strength, pliability & lightweight, & I love it because I now have a new cutting board & salt & pepper shakers in it!  The walk was quite informative & if you appreciate anything horticultural then this is a big winner on the day.  Awesome stuff.

Back on dock and their was a wood turning show on, and plenty of shops to go and buy your little piece of the area. The town has a small but historic esplanade well worth a look & whilst we didn't have tea at the pub, it sure did look good.

I can't recommend this cruise enough. It was a real highlight for us....and we have been on a few cruises in our time. Make sure you take the Heritage Cruise (red & white boat) not the other one. You can freely move around this boat whereas the other one you are confined to your seat. Within 2 weeks these boats will be full due to mainland school holidays so we couldn't have picked a better time with only 25 people on the boat out of a possible 200.

Cradle Mountain tomorrow and the weather is looking good again. Back the mainland on Saturday night so only a few nights left.

Jase.