Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

Nature at its Best

We were lucky to have sunny clear weather for the trip in June so perfect when walking at Sarah Island and rainforest stops. Lots of interesting information, beautiful scenery, lunch etc all made the day go by too quickly. Staff and facilities on board all first rate. To have spoilt this area would have been such a loss for our world now and generations to follow.

Travelling up.the Gordon River

Staff were excellent in giving a very informative talk. There knowledge about the events on Sarah Island was a real eye opener.

Brilliant day. Highly recommended.

This was a truly brilliant day. Actually a spiritual experience walking into the oldest rainforest and only world heritage wilderness. The boat is brilliant. Meal was exceptional. Crew are so lovely and accomodating. Very passionate about their subject. I recommend the upper deck window seat. I had the front seat which was especially brilliant! Thank you team.

A great day out

A wonderful experience. Staff welcoming and friendly. Nothing was too much. The passion of tour guides for the area and story They told was feom the heart. Well worth every cent. Highly recommended.

A wonderful day in Tassie wilderness.

The stunning scenery all day. Loved going into the Gordon River with the beautiful reflections. The history on Sarah Is was very interesting. Guides were excellent. The boat was comfortable and easy to get around. The staff and food were very good. Loved the day.

An amazing cruise on the Gordon river

The scenery was amazing and was only enhanced by the lovely boat and excellent crew. The food was great too! We particularly loved the very informative and humorous tour presented by Louise on Sarah Island and Cat’s very knowledgeable tour around the heritage landing. Thank you to all the team for the wonderful day - we will recommend to our friends.

5 Star experience on the Gordon/Franklin River in Strahan Tasmania

If ever you wanted to see what the Wilderness heritage is all about on the Gordon/Franklin River on the west coast of Tasmania you have to go with World Heritage Cruises (the red boat). Their staff and Skipper have fantastic knowledge of the region and know how to entertain. Your lunch is served to your seat and you can sit next to the skipper on the bridge if you want. The way you’re put into the environment with that knowledge and history is an unforgettable experience! Highly recommended!! We weren’t paid or solicited in any way to post this review…it’s just that we reckon these guys need more recognition of their work!

Outstanding cruise

This was a most enjoyable, relaxing and informative cruise through Macquarie Harbour and up the Gordon River. As an all in one package it could not be beaten. The boat itself is quite new and has the modern features that on would expect . The main seating was very comfortable and passengers were able to wander around the boat inside and outside at will. Morning tea and lunch were very good and satisfying. The Captain gave an excellent commentary about many of the different places and scenes visited. He even adjusted course on the way home to follow some dolphins. All of the staff were friendly and professional. The guides on Sarah Island provided an animated presentation on the history of the island. This is an amazing cruise and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone coming to Strahan.

Recommend this trip

Fabulous trip. Rather wet and raining but didn't spoil it. Made you realise even more the harsh conditions for convicts on Sarah Island. Gordon River was spectacular with misty rain got some sun. Crew were great and lovely lunch included.

Great cruise

The views were amazing , tour was well run and thoroughly enjoyable . Would recommend, the only negative was the lunch not quite what was expected, edible but not great.

Good value day tour

Perfect day and a wonderful cruise. The wilderness and Sarah island walks were interesting and informative and the guides were brilliant. The boat itself could have had more information given from the captain. A great day out, good value!

History, humour, and best of all the majestic Huon Pine of Gordon River.

What an amazing day. Loved the humour of the captain and crew, but most importantly loved the chance to see and enjoy the Huon Pine wilderness. Educational, and learnt a lot about Sarah Island and the protests. Food was good, service excellent. Staff were funny and as much as us in awe of the magnificent wilderness, true protectors and educators of the Gordon. Thank you for making our day x

A truely “Outstanding” experience.

The whole thing was a truely wonderfull experience,the welcome on board, the new boat,the food and most of all the scenery with excellent tour guides.

Great River cruise experience

The Sarah Island tour, together with the rain forrest walk was an experience that we will remember for many years.

Good day out

We were very fortunate to enjoy this trip in good weather. The sun shone and as it was so calm, the captain took the boat out into The Roaring Forties. A nice touch. Enjoyable commentary throughout and the walking tour with guide very informative. Lunch caters for dietary requirements. The exit from the boat at the end of the tour is via the saw mill which was interesting too.

On your to do list.

What an amazing experience to go up into such a pristine, world heritage area. Made me very proud to be Australian. We were so lucky with the weather, as it was bright and shiny all day. All the staff were very helpful and had great local knowledge . Lunch was delicious . All in all a great day

Can't do Strahan without doing this cruise.

What a fantastic day out. Certainly the highlight of our Tasmanian holiday so far. Great commentary and lots to see. If you really want to get into the rainforest this is the way to go.

One big family

We had a wonderful day. The staff were wonderful, so welcoming, informative and inclusive. Accessibility needs were not an issue at all and each stop was easy access.

Great day out on the big red boat

Cracking day out with the team, mix of history at Sarah Island and ancient temperate rainforest. Catered well to all ages

Simply an amazing cruise run by amazing staff!!

Our family had an amazing time on the cruise. The boat is awesome and is suitable to everyone!!! Whilst everyone have allocated seats, everyone can roam (and are encouraged to roam) all over the boat. No decks are off limits unlike the other cruise company. The Captian was extremely welcoming and everyone was welcome to come into the Captains deck whenever they wanted. He made my two children's day by including them in on the departure activities by beeping the horn. The tour guides were very knowledgeable. It is clear the staff love their job and have a deep love of the Gordon River and the surrounding area. Lastly, this company is locally owned and operated unlike the other cruise company which is owned by NRMA. Support local business and choose the Red Boat. It is well worth it. My family made memories which will last a lifetime.

Magnificent Gordan River.

Great experience being out on in Macquarie Harbour and then sailing up the famous Gorfon River and the UNESCO listed Tasmanian Wilderness National Park. Our vessel for the day was the newly built Harbour Master Ii which was extremely comfortable and clean. Lunch was included and scrumptious. Commentary very informative. A great day out with a very professional team. Well worth it.

A cruise of natural beauty.

Absolutely incredible... right from the moment we booked our tickets at the front desk to the moment we left the carpark.. This experience just added to our trip and we loved every moment, the boat seamlessly glides across the water with it's 4 v8 Scania twin turbo engines, the boat is an open boat, where as. you can openly move around freeingly, even up to the captain's deck with the understanding that your allocated seats is yours all day. The views along this cruising day are breathtaking,, it has very comfortable seats, tasty lunch. The knowledge from the captain enhances your journey and you can feel the passion he has for Strahan and the Gordon River. The staff are pleasant and welcoming. Stopping off twice with easy walking tours. The knowledge and sense of humor of the tour guides is brilliant, giving you a feel of earlier years gone by. The Gordon River Cruise are memories for us to keep yet to share with all.. The Red boat (Harbour Master 2) is a local family run and operated business... support local..

A fantastic experience!

Fabulous tour! Gordon River is beautiful and Sarah Island is fascinating. The staff were so friendly and professional. The captain guided the entire boat trip which was brilliant, and Maggie and Luke who guided Sarah Island were also fabulous. Highly recommend this trip.

Good food and great commentary from guides helped create an amazing experience

Good food and great commentary from guides helped create an amazing experience. Smooth ride and comfortable seats.

A wonderful experience!

It was such a good day out! We were lucky as the weather was spectacular. The guides and information was excellent and we felt like we learnt so much on this day. The cruise goes past many fascinating things such as Hells Gate, the Fish Farms as well as getting off at Sarah’s island and the Rainforest Boardwalk. In terms of food, we got lunch provided which was lovely Tasmanian produce and then there is a cafe onboard with reasonably priced snacks and drinks. I would recommend to anyone. It is worth the money!!

Fantastic Cruise, well worth the money!!

This cruise was fantastic and it took you to the most beautiful places. The staff were wonderful and their attention to detail and knowledge of the area was incredible also. I would certainly recommend this cruise to others.

The whole experience was...

The whole experience was excellent. Perfect conditions, nice comfortable boat, excellent very informative crew

Unforgettable experience

First class all the way. I cried it was all so wonderful, the experience - the boat, the service, the history, the fact that this family who started Red Boat tours was a major part of the fight to save this part of the river all made such a magical day. Our guides Daniel and Louise were meant for the stage. They had us enthralled and entertained. The staff on the boat were first class - welcoming and attentive. The captain's commentary was so informative and helped us to enjoy it even more. What a day! I could do it all over again tomorrow I loved it so much. It's clear the staff of this family-owned operation since the 1800s are so proud of what they do. Thank you Red Boat. They deserve all the support in the world. I can't wait to come back.

World Heritage Cruise

State of the art ship, a good crew and interesting points of interest. Sarah Island walk and instruction was particularly good.

An Autumn experience

Traveling down the Gordon River, Sarah Island, Macquarie Harbour to the Heads, although the weather was not at its best, mainly showers until I returned back to Strahan when the sun came out briefly. Mesks were excellent, crew service was outstanding.

A Magical Cruise

Well equipped boat - comfortable - great food and service - and the commentary was informative and so very well delivered. The two excursions ashore to Sarah Island and the Heritage Landing were well-organised and the guides were knowledgeable as well as being entertaining. Well worth paying the extra to have a window seat upstairs.

Choose the Red Boat

We code the red boat as it is locally owned and has been operating since the 1890s. Crew are very welcoming and happy. The cruise is 6 hours of scenery, history and good company. The commentary by our Captain was informative and easy to listen too. Lunch was lovely.

World Heritage Gordon River Cruise…WOW!

We had a wonderful day on the Gordon River. The organization was easy even with larger numbers of people. The boat was very comfortable both while sitting and walking around for outside viewing. You could even hang out up with the captain. A commentary along the way was informative and not too much. They also had some media video selections about the history of the walking touring (easy) was really enjoyable in Sara Island. Lunch was fresh and really tasty again for a large group. The scenery is stunning. This was so well worth the trip to Strahan. We loved it even though the weather was not great.

Fantastic trip

Absolutely top notch experience from entering the boat to the side trips and the lunch. The boat was completely accessible for the whole cruise even the captain allowed us to sit in the co-pilots seat. The crew were fantastic and very attentive to our needs. Thoroughly recommended trip.

Excellent trip.

All of it😀😀 Great commentary, good food, excellent service . Very good excursions. Met lovely people onboard.

Great excursion.

A very spacious and comfortable vessel, with friendly and very efficient staff. Great commentary from the Captain and other information about the history of the region. It was great to see how narrow Hells Gates are and the visit to Sarah Island was great and to learn further about the appalling treatment of the convicts on the 18th century. And finally, the Gordon River was sublime!

A day on the river.

Locally operated and doesn’t disappoint. The staff are brilliant, the commentary is interesting, the food is delicious, the river is breathtaking. The stops along the way are so interesting & the history of such a majestic place WOW. The staff and their knowledge & friendliness are what make this a must do experience.

Excellent day out !

Wonderful weather to showcase the beautiful area. Tour of Sarah Island was very informative, the guide was great. Lunch was a delicious lunchbox . Going out through Hells Gate was so good . The whole trip was so worth it !!

It’s so worth it!

Beautiful in every way. Great facilities, good price on drinks and staff were all great. Visit to Sarah Island sensational. Sat on the deck on a gorgeous day taking in all the river had to offer.

Must do cruise in Tasmania's west

This cruise was outstanding. The visit to Sarah Island was a highlight and the stories told by our guides were informative and entertaining. The terrain is forbidding and gave us a good picture of how imporatnt it is to preserve the wilderness.

Great day

Friendly staff , a great long day , captain talking was fantastic,food was great and the views . Sarah island great

Well organised informative historical & naturally beautiful experience

Efficient well organised, awe inspiring experience. Staff worked hard to make everything run smoothly & on time. All tour guides were informative, energetic & funny. The lunch was nice but a complimentary tea or coffee to end would have been appreciated rather than a small water with the dessert. The route & views were amazing & your options to roam around & view from wherever you liked or to take shelter from the weather on comfortable warm seating was great. A worthwhile tour & a must on a day out in Strahan.

This cruise is a fantastic informative journey into the history of the Gordon River Heritage Wilderness

The journey up the Gordon River was just awe inspiring and a fantastic informative explanation of the history of this area

Fantastic. Beautiful Boat.

Fantastic Trip. Staff were excellent. Wine was excellent. The staff also had a great knowledge of the history of the area. Everything was clean and the toilets!!!!!! Fantastic.

Red Boat - World Heritage Gordon River Cruise

Absolutely fantastic cruise with friendly and efficient crew on an excellent vessel. They take obvious pride in their heritage and local ownership.

Excellent river cruise

This cruise is totally worth doing. The scenery is fabulous and the guided tour of Sarah Island was excellent. It is definitely a must do if you are in Strahan.

Highly recommended

Everything was very well organised and the staff were great. There was an excellent commentary from the captain, and the Sarah Island guide tour was very interesting. The best part was the beautiful Gordon River. Lunch was good, and although it was more expensive we liked having been able to choose a window seat.

A Highlight of our visit to Tasmania

Entire cruise was so informative. Sarah Island guided walk was so evocative and informative. We also loved the forest walk, the visit to the captain’s bridge, the commentary and the delicious included lunch for upper deck passengers. Worth the journey to Strahan from Canada!

Outstanding

A day to remember. The weather conditions were ideal, which added to the overall memorable experience. The vessel is spacious, large windows and very comfortable accommodations - inside and outside. The highlight was the walk through the rainforest - amazing. The Customer Service is excellent - willing engagements with the passengers and delivered with a very high standard of service. Congratulations to them all. This is a local company, with a very long association with the Strahan community. Encourage potential travelers to book directly with them.

Wilderness

Amazing to see the unspoiled wilderness of the Gordon River. Thanks goodness it was saved in 1983. We were lucky to had out through Hells Gate. Sarah island has an interesting history.