The world Heritage Area places south-west Tasmania alongside the world's
truly unique natural and cultural treasures such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone
National Park and the Pyramids of Egypt. South-west Tasmania is a
cool temperate wilderness area and is related to only two other regions
in the ancient continent of Gondwanaland, which drifted apart some 200
million years ago. Geological uplift, glaciers, wind, rain, temperature
changes and man's influence have all affected the vegetation of the region.
The plant life changes dramatically from dense rainforest in the valleys
to delicate flowering heaths on the alpine moorlands. The land carries
many memories of Aboriginal life. Dotted along the coastline
are huge shell and bone middens... The stories of Aboriginal and
European settlement add a human element to the ageless natural beauty of
Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. Visit Strahan Visitor Centre
to explore further. It's no wonder the Gordon is one of the most
popular cruises in Australia. Full and half day boat excursions glide
the river with its serene reflections, to Heritage Landing where passengers
can stroll through the rainforest. Photographic opportunities abound
with ancient moss-covered Huon pine, laurels, mosses, wallabies and other
unique wildlife. Tours explore the Sarah Island convict ruins and
visit Hells Gates, the treacherous entrance to the harbour, on the return
voyage to Strahan. Further along the West Coast the Pieman River
cruise links the old gold -mining town of Corinna with the pounding surf
of the Southern Ocean at the river mouth. And in the north-west there
are day cruises of the Arthur River south of Smithton. The more settled
areas of the State have great charm as well. From Launceston a day
cruise on the Tamar provides views of Launceston and riverside settlements.
Ferries offer an excellent introduction to the geography and maritime heritage
of Hobart with the harbour cruises, and longer runs down the Derwent Estuary.
Also visit the mouth of the D’entrecasteaux Channel, the historic Iron
Port, and Storm Bay. Port Huon, in the wider estuary of the river
also offers cruises to Port Esperance (Dover) to observe the new Atlantic
Salmon fish farms at close hand - and suggest charters further afield to
Bruny Island and Port Davey. Top
Sailors needn't be frustrated. Tasmania's waterways offer cruising territory unsurpassed by the best on offer in the rest of Australia. The Whitsunday's, Sydney Harbour and Broken Bay, and Port Phillip pale into insignificance when compared to the scale and diversity of the classic cruising domain which embraces D’entrecasteaux Channel, the Derwent River, Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay. History, romance, and superb natural anchorages abound. Well appointed, elegant sailing yachts invite visitors on regular cruises - an experience tinged with adventure and style. Each year, more and more participants in Tasmania's ocean classics - the Sydney-Hobart, the Melbourne-Hobart, the Three Peaks Race and a host of other races - stay for a more sedate cruising holiday to calm down from the frenetic, adrenalin-boosting racing calendar. In company with local boats, some head for Port Davey, sailing between the Celery Top islands and through the narrow passage to Bathurst Harbour. Here they will explore this spectacularly beautiful waterway with its numerous inlets and weather scarred Mt Rugby. Others enjoy the hospitality of the southern yacht clubs and join in various colourful events such as the Spring Bay Crayfish Derby as they cruise north via Maria, Schouten and Flinders Islands. Or there's an alternative event - a 15 day journey up the West Coast to Port Dalrymple at the mouth of the Tamar River. This cruise is planned to operate bi-annually from 1994. The ultimate cruise is a circumnavigation...and you don't have to bring your own yacht! For the experienced cruising yachtsman - or woman - there are charter boats available in Hobart, Kettering, Snug and Strahan.
