Tasmania - Strahan at the End of the World

End of January 2025

After 4 months of traveling around the world, we thought: now we are truly slowed down. But there’s even more to it!

Strahan is located on the west coast of Tasmania and at the end of the world: Internet is extremely slow or nonexistent, the doctor comes 3 to 4 times a week. For supermarkets, hardware stores, and clothing shops, you need to drive about 2.5 hours to Burnie on the north coast. And even fewer tourists travel through Tasmania than usual.

Our absolute favorite

Simply fantastic! The Macquarie Harbour & Gordon River Cruise – a boat trip through the fjord Macquarie Harbour (5 km wide | 32 km long) and up the lower reaches of the Gordon River.

Check-in on the ship is relaxed, each passenger has a fixed spot on the inner deck, and there are free choices on the outer decks; the boat's bridge is accessible at any time, and anyone who wishes can gladly sit next to the captain.

The narrow opening of Macquarie Harbour to the Indian Ocean is called Hells Gate due to its dangerous tidal currents. The convicts who had to pass through this point on the way to Sarah Island also referred to this gate as such.

The shores of the Gordon River are lined with cool-temperate rainforests that host many rare tree species. The river water is of drinking quality, although due to the high tannin content - plant tannins from herbs, shrubs, and tree leaves of tropical plants - it takes on the color of weak tea.

Our tips

• Way to Strahan: from Launceston with a stop at the fork C136 | C132 at the Cradle Gateway Cafe, where you can enjoy delicious Chicken Pie and Meat Pie as a snack. And there’s a sofa with blankets! Continue over the Cradle Mountain Plateau down to the west coast via Zeehan to Strahan.
• As already described, the fantastic tour with the World Heritage Cruise through the Macquarie Harbour Fjord to Hells Gate, Sarah Island, and the lower section of the Gordon River: worldheritagecruises.com.au
• West Coast Wilderness Railway offers nostalgic train rides from Strahan and Queenstown - definitely a must do. The train ride from Queenstown is probably even more interesting because the route ascends through the rainforest over some elevation: https://wcwr.com.au/
• The Hogarth Falls – a short hike through cool-temperate rainforest with wonderful vegetation. The trail is relatively flat, but at the end, there’s a slight uphill walk to the small, fine waterfall (20 minutes return).
  A note on the time estimates of hikes: “20 minutes return” means 20 minutes to go and 20 minutes back, totaling 40 minutes. With minute estimates, the misunderstanding is not a problem, but with hour estimations, it becomes one.
• A honey tasting, for example, on the train ride with the Wilderness Railway. Our favorite is the Leatherwood Honey, which is also delicious as a candy.
• At Patrick’s Supermarket, everything essential is available and next to it is the pharmacy. Wine and beer are available across from the campground. A great Tasmanian sparkling wine is Devils Corner.

And one special tip for this little place at the end of the world

The play “The Ship that Never Was” is the most performed play in Australia and tells the story of 10 convicts who hijack a ship. This play is performed at the small, fine waterfront of Strahan. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see this because we discovered it too late. But anyone going to Strahan must please catch it!