Strahan, Tasmania

This dinky harbour-side village, nestled on the shore of Macquarie Harbour (second largest harbour in Australia, 6x bigger than Sydney Harbour), is an iconic travel destination. Strahan, a 4.5-hr drive (300 km) from Hobart and a 3-hr drive (226 km) from Devonport, has a tiny population of under 700 people. Luckily enough, i got to live here and work on the Gordon River Cruise for a short time back in March 2020 before covid-19 went a bit stir pot cray cray.

Looking outside my accommodation above Hamers bar and bistro

As a wilderness tour guide, I had a FAT OLD script to learn which opened my eyes as to why this area attracts so many tourists. I absolutely loved this job. Yes, speaking to 170 or so humans everyday on a microphone was pretty terrifying at the start, but the more I did it, the more natural it felt and the more I embraced meeting new people from all over the world every day. Other jobs onboard included rope work which again was super intimidating at first as you're handling a 33.3m catamaran and man do i wish i could have stayed longer to have learnt more. We would give walking tours at heritage landing which was always beautiful, whatever the weather (when they say it rains a lot in western Tazzy, they mean it really rains). We also had to run a smooth buffet service and operation of both galleys on the main deck and premier upper deck.

Reflections caused by the tannin that leeches from the root systems of button grass which stains the water brown.

On our days off when covid-19 first started to affect the cruises, we would take the dingy out for rescue training in the harbour (this was one of my many “i’m being paid to do this” moments), clean the boat (not so much loved) and just make the most of the company we had. The team at Gordon River Cruise are next to none. A real family. I feel very lucky to have been a part of that team, even if it was a short while.

Why do people love Strahan? Well for one, a day trip on The Gordon River Cruise will show you so much breathtaking beauty that the temperate rainforests have to offer as well as teach you some of the mind boggling history and stories that haunt this place. A tour on Sarah Island, which was once a notorious convict prison, will definitely take you on a memorable journey as you learn the brutal treatment of the Tasmanian convicts.

The World Heritage site (Franklin–Gordon Wild Rivers National Park) is a MUST SEE when you’re here. Here you can see one of the oldest trees in the world, Huon Pine, which grows to an age of more that 3000 years! These forests are examples of forests that existed in the time of Gondwanaland. As a temperate rainforest, this area sees a lot of rain, more than 3m annually! And boi did i see a lot of that.

Fauna and Flora

Plants: Huon pine, Southern Beech Myrtle, Native Laurel, Pandani Palm, Leatherwood, Celery Top Pine, Whitey Wood, Sassafras (the funky hullicinogenic tea).

Birds: Sea Eagles, Cormorants, Azure Kingfishers, Thorn bills and small Pink Breasted Robins.

Snakes: Copperhead, Black Tiger Snake, White lipped whip snake.

Others: Ringtail possum, Pademelon, Spotted tail quoll, Wallaby.

Other places to visit near:

Ocean Beach is the longest beach in Tasmania stretching an almighty 32km in length! I have some incredible memories of a small group of us taking the 4WD along the dunes at sunset, with the dogs absolutely loving life chasing the cars from behind. Needless to say, there are so many adventures and camping trips to be had in these massive sand dunes and forests.

My beautiful friend Katy and her sick car on Ocean Beach

West Coast Wilderness Railways departure point is also found in Strahan. Here you can take a half day journey or a full day journey to Queenstown and back.

Hogarth Falls is a beautiful little waterfall within walking distance from Strahan Village. The walking track runs adjacent to Botanical creek, which if you’re lucky enough, you can see is home to a number of platypus. Here you can also see an abundance of birds, wallabies, possums and quolls.

Track to Hogarth Falls

Montezuma Falls (anyone else craving chocolate now) is Tasmania's highest waterfall. On a day off we took a road trip here. It took us about 3 hours to walk along the track which takes you to the base of the 104 meter falls, surrounded by a rainforest of leatherwood, myrtle, sassafras and giant fern trees.

The hugggggge Montezuma chocolate waterfall

So that’s a little bit about Strahan for ya! I would have loved more time to stay and work here however covid had other plans for me. I hope to visit again one day as I am very keen to travel the rest of Tasmania and see what’s on offer. Have you been to Tasmania? If so, where would you recommend to visit next?