Tasmania: West Coast - Day 9

After all our fuss about wanting to escape from the bad weather, we scored an absolutely perfect day in Strahan for our river cruise. The sea was very calm, the sky was blue and clear and the weather was actually warm and sunny for the very first time in our trip so far.







The cruise started in Macquarie Harbour and then briefly out to Hells Gates (the name for the Heads at the entrance to the harbour). Coming back into the harbour we cruised past Tasmanian salmon farms, and then onto Sarah Island where we disembarked for a guided tour of the ruins. Back on board the boat we were treated to lunch Tasmanian style - although this was an extra $12 to what we had payed when booking ($65 per adult), you are free to gorge out on Tasmanian smoked salmon, brie, ham, salads, biscuits, rolls etc... and so we did! The boat cruised slowly down into the Gordon River while we ate until finally we all disembarked at a boardwalk that lead us through the wilderness. Interpretive signs along the walk assisted us to identify Native Laurel, Huon Pine, Myrtle, Leatherwood, etc. Back on board we cruised up the Gordon River and back into Macquarie Harbour where we visited a sawmill for a demonstration of Huon Pine sawing using a straight cut saw.

The girls were left to walk through town window shopping, while the boys walked back to our accommodation to pick up the cars. When they returned we all had coffee together at an outdoor cafe, but then had to resume the usual trip chores such as fuelling the vehicles and grocery shopping. Today's public holiday meant we could not buy meat, bread, vegies or fruit, so we will have to return tomorrow.

Back at the Backpackers we used the common kitchen to prepare our dinner. We barbequed T-bone steaks and served them with a warm potato salad made with sautéed bacon and onion and mixed salad greens of avocado, capsicums, broccoli. Washed down with a couple of bottles of Tasmania wine, chocolate and coffee it was a good ending to a good day.