We done the tour on the main deck with window seats. The only downside were the massive blowflies on the boat, that's it. The cruise itself, crew and food were really good. We were lucky enough to have Kiah doing our sarah island tour and she was magnificent. Overall 10/10

Relaxing cruise along Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. Dinner was delicious. Our on board guide, Emily, was very informative. We learnt about the discovery of the harbour, salmon farming and huon pines. The tour of Sarah Island was fascinating, our guide Lyell was very charismatic and we learnt alot about the history of the convicts.

My wife and I went on the Pillinger cruise aboard Sophia, which is Gordon River Cruise’s small 10 person boat. We chose this over the larger boat as we felt it would be a more personal and intimate experience which it was. So glad we did. The boat was great. The cruise was lovely. Brilliantly looked after by Des (an excellent local and knowledge skipper), as well as Hannah and James who were crew and tour guides. There was only one other couple on board so we were really spoilt! Des, Hannah and James were extremely knowledgable, entertaining and engaging. They clearly enjoy their subject and sharing it with their guests. Loved the trips ashore. The history is amazing. Food and drink on board was extremely plentiful and delicious. When you consider what is involved this is really good value for money. I highly recommend!!!!

Excellent cruise. We were in the premium upper cabin. Food was exceptionally good & staff couldn’t have been more attentive. Very comfortable. Trip very interesting & informative.

Yes this cruise even for the basic ticket is on the pricey side but you are getting quite an experience. Seating is allocated but to be honest the best views are for when you go out on deck in which there is much opportunity. First part of the cruise takes you out to Hells Gates at the head of the harbour. Throughout the whole trip there is fantastic commentary giving you so much information you’ll leave this tour fully educated in the history of the area. Next stop is a cruise down the Gordon River where they switch the motors onto electric mode to save the environment. We eventually dock at a small dock where you get the opportunity to walk the forest for 30 minutes. A couple of the crew give you further fun facts and on shore you can get to see wallabies and ancient trees. After you board again they serve a very delicious lunch buffet style and seconds are allowed. Very good food. So fresh!! You then get to Sarah Island where you spend an hour in which you can be guided around the island by an experienced guide (well done to Sarah) or you can walk the island self guided. Back onboard you head back to the port. Whilst onboard you can go up to the top deck and chat with the captain which we did and loved the chat we had for quite some time. The facilities on board are great too with a bar, snacks, small gift area and toilet facilities clean. This is a fantastic cruise and to be quite honest I think the only reason to pay extra to sit on the premier deck is getting more posh food. Just pay for down below where you’ll see exactly the same things and have the same experience with more money in your wallet. Well done Gordon River Cruises - loved the tour.

Firstly I did the Pillinger Explorer tour on the Friday the 29th of December with Harriet and Desmond and it was amazing to travel through Macquarie Harbour on the MV Sophia. Harriet was a welcoming, fantastic and informative guide, no question was beyond her knowledge of the immediate and surrounding areas of Tasmania. Desmond was an excellent driver full of local knowledge, providing glimpses of what the area looked like through images and sharing stories passed down over the last century. The food options onboard were amazing and a great showcase of Tasmanian produce! I then went on the Gordon River Cruise aboard the Spirit of the Wild on Sunday the 31st of December. Whilst not as intimate as the Pillinger Explorer it was a very smooth, informative tour filling in any missing pieces and visiting a few different spots. The food options and services provided throughout the cruise were very good. The Sarah Island stop with the local tour guides were great in particular Ollie’s engaging and fun approach. All in all highly recommend both the Pillinger Explorer and the Gordon River Cruise as they are both unique and informative experiences of the region.

Excellent day's cruise! We booked the upper deck premium offering - and it was well worth it with comfortable seating, splendid external viewing from the front deck and very good refreshments and lunch. The commentary was informative but not intrusive and when the vessel went into "whisper" mode for the section up the river itself we really could feel the tranquillity of the environment. Really enjoyable. As an aside - just to round the day off we booked for a performance of "The Ship That Never Was" which provided a different, and fun, angle on life on Sarah Island.

Great Day out Our third time over the years Welcoming staff Great lunch History lesson is well delivered particularly our guide Maggie on Sarah Island made great fun of a potentially dark sad story It helped that the West Coast turned on the sunshine Beautiful day on the water

We’re on premium upper deck which was fantastic. Great commentary, great food, great staff. Highly recommend. Worth the extra to be on top deck

Firstly a big thank you to Des our skipper and Hannah our guide. What great hosts and so knowledgeable about the history of Pellinger taking us through the ruins of this important town and the impact it had on making Strahan what it is today . Hannah expertly took us on this leisurely walk through the old buildings of this now deserted location. It is overgrown as it exists in a rainforest but the remnants and their history is fascinating. Des made sure that we were not not only expertly skippered but made sure we were fed and watered right through the trip. We also visited the amazing Hells Gate and Fish Farms as well as Bonnet Island with the man made breakwall over 3kms long . Highly recommended as an alternative to just cruising .

A steady cruise across the harbour to Pillinger, the heads and lunch at Bonnet Island. Erin gave us a fantastic run through the history of Pillinger and led us through what is left of the town. The rainforest has taken much of it back including an orchid and white bellied sea eagle as extras. Des drove Sofia, ably throughout the trip. Great morning tea and lunch also included.

What a fantastic boat cruise on the Gordon River (red boat) out of Strahan. We were blessed with the best Tassie weather (the following day was awful!!), so the Captain allowed us to venture to the ocean, which apparently only happens about 30 times a year! We had top deck front row window seats with lunch served to us, booked through our B & B accommodation However, as boaties ourselves, we couldn't stay inside with the weather being amazing, so spent a lot of time on the bow, which was especially great heading into the ocean. But freeeeeezing, for us from WA. Lunch was excellent although was not a fan of the red wine (bit naff) but in the scheme of things, very minor! The staff were brilliant being humorous, very knowledgeable and passionate about their amazing river and its pristine environment. Heading up river to Sarah Island, the scenery was amazing. We both found the visit to Sarah Island to be spectacular and a highlight although quite emotional. The tour guide (Sybil) was outstanding. Such a sad and very harsh place even for convicts but more so for the families and children who lived and worked there. Can't believe so many kept trying to escape only to be returned to even harsher conditions. The quick nature pitstop was good too with two of the main boat staff (cabin/cafe/"everthing else too" crew) conducted an informative talk about the environment. Back on the boat for a return journey with a stunning afternoon's weather, so calm, so quiet, so beautiful. An absolute must do when visiting Strahan and especially so if going to the play "A Ship That Never Was!", which ends the story from Sarah Island, so make sure you do the boat cruise first. Highly recommend!

This is one of the best cruises we've ever done, we were blown away with what we saw and the knowledge that Des and Erin had was amazing. Would definitely recommend this cruise if you come to Strahan

Stunning scenery, excellent commentary, definitely a worthwhile trip to do when heading to the west coast. Good value with a pretty full day including 2 land stops for some history on Sarah Island and a boardwalk stroll through the rainforest. Lunch of cold meat and salads but also coffee/ morning tea purchases available. I get seasick but this was totally fine. The internal seats still had an excellent view with the huge glass windows. Also as a tip, there were lots of single seats available, so if you didn't have to be sitting next to your partner, and may be happy across the aisle or behind them, you could quite easily get last minute spots, even on the day when the online bookings may say sold out. Just get there a half hour before boarding to speak to the staff.

What an absolute amazing experience This is a must do and great value for money The boat & staff were amazing and the food was top shelf As well Highly reccomend doing this