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Taking a guided cruise down the Gordon River is an extremely popular activity, and many visitors to Strahan—a town on Tasmania's west coast—spend a day floating down the scenic waterway. From the comfort of a quiet, state-of-the-art vessel, you can gaze out towards the forests along the river’s banks, which are home to 2,000-year-old trees. Most tours hit a few sights along the way including Sarah’s Island and Hell’s Gate.
Most tours of the Gordon River depart from Macquarie Harbor from the western Tasmanian town of Strahan, which is located 185 miles (297 kilometers) from the capital of Hobart. Private boats are available for hire, although most visitors choose to visit as part of a cruise tour.
The best time to visit Tasmania is from December and February during Australia’s summer. Though this is peak season for the region, it offers the best weather and temperatures for outdoor excursions.
As Australia’s oldest penal colony, Sarah Island has a chilling history. At first glance, the settlement was set on a somewhat idyllic looking isle in the middle of the Southern Ocean, however, upon further inspection visitors will discover that Sarah Island was a fate worse than death, complete with an inhospitable climate, lack of food, backbreaking work, and disease.