What is the Gordon River in Tasmania?
The Gordon River is a major river in Tasmania's southwest wilderness. Its lower reaches are famous for cruises from Strahan through ancient rainforest and mirror-calm waters.
The river flows from the central highlands to Macquarie Harbour on the west coast. Its upper reaches were dammed in the 1970s, creating Lake Gordon, one of Tasmania's largest lakes.
Cruises from Strahan travel across Macquarie Harbour, through Hells Gates and up the lower Gordon. Tannins from button grass stain the water dark brown, creating perfect reflections.
Wilderness and history
The lower Gordon is part of Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Huon pines grow along the banks.
Many cruises stop at Sarah Island, a harsh convict settlement from 1822 to 1833.
Boats must travel slowly to avoid eroding the riverbanks.
Some cruises include a walk on a boardwalk through the rainforest at Heritage Landing, where visitors see a fallen Huon pine estimated to be about 2,000 years old. Seaplane flights from Strahan also land on the river, giving a bird's-eye view of the wilderness. The river and its harbour were once used to float logs of valuable Huon pine downstream to sawmills.
Did You Know?
The Gordon Dam is about 140 metres tall.