Gordon River Paddle

This full-day signature experience on Tasmania’s West Coast combines a cruise on Lady Jane Franklin II with a sea kayak trip on the iconic Gordon River in the heart of Tasmania’s Franklin Lower Gordon World Heritage Area National Park.

With its superlative natural beauty, pristine rainforests, unique wildlife and rich human history, this region is unlike anywhere else in the world – one of only two places on Earth that meet seven out of the ten World Heritage Area criteria for natural and cultural values.

The Lady Jane Franklin II departs Strahan at 8.30am for the voyage across Macquarie Harbour. You will pass through the notorious Hell’s Gates, the narrow entrance to the harbour, and feel the power of the Southern Ocean before returning into the harbour past working fish farms and then onto the Gordon River, alongside ancient rainforest mirrored in the water.

Along the way, the captain will captivate you with tales of the history of the region, and its early life as the site of a major penal colony - Sarah Island, boat-building industry, mining and pining operations and fishing port.

After morning tea and a safety briefing, the safe, stable and comfortable double sea kayaks are lowered into the Gordon River at Heritage Landing, the furthest point that cruise boats can reach. With a minimum of two and maximum of eight people, the paddle upstream is a quiet and intimate experience – pristine forest air to breathe, ripples fanning away from the bow, the swirl of a platypus ahead. Only bush birds and the splash of the paddle breaks the silence of the wilderness.

Led by a trained guide you will explore the river in unmatched serenity, discovering the amazing history that has occurred on the banks around you – the days of the piners and their pursuit of the precious Huon pine timber, and the fight to save the Gordon and Franklin rivers in the 1980s.

After an easy hour and a half’s paddling you reach a small secluded beach where the guides serve a riverbank picnic lunch of fresh Tasmanian produce.

Then it's a paddle back downstream, hearing stories of the river, keeping an eye out for a sea eagle or azure kingfisher, before arriving at Heritage Landing to meet the afternoon cruise back to Strahan.

From October to March (Daylight Savings Time), the return voyage includes a delicious dinner on board and a visit to Sarah Island for a fascinating discovery walk around the ruins of the once feared convict colony. The cruise boat arrives back in Strahan at approx 8.30pm.

On days when the Lady Jane Franklin II does not operate afternoon sailings you will be collected for the return cruise to Strahan on the cruiser Sophia.

WINTER OPERATIONS: Due to the conclusion of Daylight Savings Time (October to March), winter operations (5th of April 2010-2nd of October 2010) of the Gordon River Paddle will result in an earlier return to Strahan, and will include afternoon tea on board the fast cruiser Sophia while en-route to Strahan. Nominal return time to Strahan is approx 6.00pm.

Duration: full day, availability subject to weather conditions

Cost: $365 (during Daylight Savings Time)
$310 (5th of April 2010 - 2nd of October 2010)

Please note: Gordon River Paddle will not be in operation between the 8th of August 2010 and 8th of September 2010 inclusive.

This experience requires a minimum of 2 guests to operate on any given day and can only take a maximum of eight guests. Gordon River Paddle is not suitable for children under the age of 14 years old.

Time: 7.30am briefing at the Strahan Activity Centre for an 8.30am departure, arriving back in Strahan at approx 8.30pm. Please note: During 5th of April - 2nd of October 2010 arrival back in Strahan will be at approx 6pm.

Inclusions: tour includes the cruise, all equipment for the sea kayak trip, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Please note: Dinner included during Daylight Savings Time only and dinner and Sarah Island tour included only when Lady Jane Franklin II operates an afternoon sailing.

Clothing: For your own comfort on the journey we recommend you bring two sets of clothing on the Gordon River Paddle. One set for your cruise to Heritage Landing and your return voyage visiting Sarah Island and another set to change into for the Gordon River Paddle.

We recommend you do not wear cotton clothing on the paddle and for your own comfort that you wear footwear such as crocs, sandals, tevas, thongs, or neoprene booties and clothing such as board shorts or thermal bottoms and thermal top, rash vest or nylon/polyester shirt.



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