Gordon River Cruise || Tasmania Our Way || Summer Tour 2024 || Lap of Tasmania

Probably one of the top cruises in Tasmania. From Strahan glide through the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area experiencing the untouched rainforest, rugged history and fascinating characters of Tasmania's west coast. Travelling on the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers in the namesake National Park is an experience like no other, a ‘must do’ when visiting Tasmania. One of the most scenic and sought after cruises in the world, so the operators spruik. We travelled on the grey boat, for the Spirit of the Wild, operated by Gordon River Cruises. It is a purpose-built catamaran known for its silent, electric "whisper mode" propulsion system, allowing for an immersive and peaceful experience on the World Heritage-listed river. There are "levels" of "experience" you can buy. Really, they relate to what services you get on the boat (refreshments). There is a competitor, as there should be. The competitor argues they are local and it is best to support local. That argument would ordinarily win in our camp. But not this time, only because the Grey Boat offered a level of discount that the competitor could not (does not) offer - read "companion card" recognition. Anyhow, travelling up this tributary is enthralling for sure. It took me back to the last time we did this trip. My highlight was visiting Sarah Island. The Macquarie Harbour Penal Station, a former British colonial penal settlement, established on Sarah Island, Macquarie Harbour, in the former Penal colony of Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania, operated between 1822 and 1833. The settlement housed male convicts, with a small number of women housed on a nearby island. During its 11 years of operation, the penal colony achieved a reputation as one of the harshest penal settlements in the Australian colonies. The former penal station is located on the eight-hectare (twenty-acre) Sarah Island that now operates as a historic site under the direction of the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service It, perhaps, was not as harsh as made out - but if you disagree, then perhaps a visit to the island on a guided tour might make you think twice!! #kennymepicadventures #travel #tasmania #tasmanian #gordonrivercruise #gordonriver