Day 8 - Gordon River

...She is a 33.8m catamaran, purpose-built for cruising in the sensitive environment of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Her unique hybrid-propulsion system featuring electric motors, allow for quiet cruising while on the Gordon River, making for an unforgettable and immersive experience in this incredible environment. 

And with that we stepped aboard the 'Spirit of the Wild' and settled into Our Premium Upper Deck seats for a 6 hour cruise on the Gordon River. 

30 minutes after leaving Strahan we sight the narrow  opening where the Harbour and the Southern Ocean meet.  THIS is Hell's Gates - yes, it was once hard to navigate but also it was the entrance to Hell on Earth that was the Penal colony of Sarah Island.

Today we had calm seas and navigated the narrow channel with ease. *

We heard stories of ships wrecked and lives lost on the rocks and shallow sandbars.

We travelled past Salmon and Ocean Trout farms, learning about this industry .. and that we will be enjoying a beautiful Chef prepared meal of Salmon from here as part of our lunch.

From Hell's Gates we travel noiselessly down the Gordon River.   

Marvelling at its beauty and being thankful that we still have it.

Time to stretch our legs, we stop at Heritage Landing and take a walk through the temperate rainforest.

With carefully built boardwalks and information on each Tree type and what it was used for - I could have stayed a lot longer here.

But 'Time and Tide wait for no Man' and neither does Lunch!

Back on board we enjoyed a beautiful Buffet with a selection of Tasmanian Produce (and an Open Bar for those that indulge).

We were also treated to a Welcome Coffee & Pastry

Morning Tea - Soup & Canapés

Buffet Lunch

Afternoon Tea - Sweet Canapés & Drinks

"Before Port Arthur there was Sarah Island"

 

Tasmania's Oldest and most Remote Penal Settlement is our next stop.

Isolated, and brutal it operated for just 11 years and in that time it became Australia's largest Shipyard at the time.

With the Ruins slowing disintegrating back into the landscape, and the environment regenerating after being stripped bare for its resources, the stories are re-told by Guides from the Round Earth Company, to remind and educate.

Learning from this, makes us better people and it should never be forgotten or erased from the History Books.

And so we leave the Cold and damp of Sarah Island and return to the 21st Century.

 

We continue Our Cruise, marvelling at the Beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage place and taking way more Photos than I know what to do with.

Before finally docking back at Strahan where we wandered the Port area, chatting to the locals in the shops before returning to our accomodation for the night.

*

This is my favourite photo of the entire tour.

A reminder that there is always a Light to Guide Our Way.

John 8:12

Research and Reference:

Gordon River Cruise:

Australian Geographic - Sarah Island