Gordon River Cruise: Worth It? Cost, Inclusions, and Tips

Choosing between a morning departure from Strahan and a day on the water takes more than a quick glance at a brochure. The Gordon River cuts through Tasmania’s wilderness for six hours, and two operators offer that ride — Gordon River Cruises and World Heritage Cruises.

Duration: 6 hours ·
Departure: Strahan, Tasmania ·
Meals included: Lunch ·
Operators: 2 main (Gordon River Cruises & World Heritage Cruises) ·
UNESCO listing: Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

The essential details of the Gordon River cruises are summarised below.

Is Gordon River Cruise worth it?

What to expect on the 6-hour cruise

• The cruise departs Strahan and heads through Hell’s Gates into Macquarie Harbour, stopping at Sarah Island and Heritage Landing for a guided rainforest walk (LaP of Tasmania).
• Gordon River Cruises’ daytime cruise typically departs between 8:00–8:30 am; World Heritage Cruises departs at 9:00 am (TripAdvisor).
• When conditions allow, both operators extend the route past Hell’s Gates to Cape Sorell Lighthouse (LaP of Tasmania).
• Passengers consistently praise the scenery, especially the mirror-like reflections on the tannin-stained Gordon River (Reeves Roam (travel blog)).

Reviews from past passengers

“A world-class wilderness journey. The guide gave us incredible insight into the history of the area.”

– TripAdvisor reviewer

Most passenger feedback centres on the scenery as the standout. Complaints are rare but sometimes mention the long duration for younger children or that the lunch could be more generous.

The choice ultimately depends on what you value more: early departure and luxury or later departure and lower cost.

Is food included on Gordon River cruises?

What meals are provided?

Lunch is included in every daytime cruise ticket from both operators. The style and presentation differ:

• Gordon River Cruises: Buffet lunch with hot and cold options, reportedly including unlimited alcoholic beverages (LaP of Tasmania).
• World Heritage Cruises: Boxed lunch served at your seat, with a selection of sandwiches, salads, and a dessert. Drinks are available for purchase (Reeves Roam).

Dietary options

Both operators accommodate dietary restrictions on request. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and other special menus are available if you notify them at booking (Viator listing).

Your preference for buffet vs box lunch will likely decide your operator.

How long does the Gordon River cruise go for?

Detailed itinerary breakdown

The standard daytime cruise runs exactly six hours from dock to dock. A typical breakdown across both operators:

• 0:00–0:45 – Boarding and departure from Strahan
• 0:45–1:30 – Passage through Hell’s Gates into Macquarie Harbour
• 1:30–2:30 – Cruise along the Gordon River, commentary from guides (LaP of Tasmania)
• 2:30–3:00 – Guided rainforest walk at Heritage Landing (approx 30 min)
• 3:00–4:00 – Visit Sarah Island (historic penal settlement)
• 4:00–6:00 – Return past Hell’s Gates to Strahan, sometimes extending to Cape Sorell lighthouse in calm weather

Time spent on river vs. harbour

Roughly two hours of the six are spent on the Gordon River itself, with the rest in Macquarie Harbour and the return leg. The river segment is the highlight — residents of the still, dark water create perfect reflection photos.

What this means: The cruise is a half-day commitment (morning to early afternoon). If you are prone to seasickness, the harbour can be choppy, but the river itself is nearly always calm.

Which Gordon River cruise is best?

Gordon River Cruises vs World Heritage Cruises

The most consistent difference in the sourced material is departure time: Gordon River Cruises leaves earlier (8:00–8:30 am) than World Heritage Cruises (9:00 am) (Reeves Roam). Both stop at the same core attractions — Hell’s Gates, Sarah Island, Heritage Landing — but World Heritage Cruises also adds the Huon Pine Sawmill (LaP of Tasmania).

Best for seniors

Both operators offer seniors discounts, though exact amounts are not published online. The earlier departure of Gordon River Cruises may appeal to early risers; the 9:00 am departure of World Heritage Cruises suits a more relaxed morning. LaP of Tasmania reports that World Heritage Cruises offers the best value across ticket types before discounts (LaP of Tasmania).

Best value

World Heritage Cruises is described as the cheaper option across most ticket types (Reeves Roam). But “value” also depends on what you prioritise: Gordon River Cruises includes unlimited alcoholic drinks and a buffet lunch, which can offset the higher base fare for drinkers.

Thus, the ‘best’ cruise depends on whether you want a sawmill stop or unlimited drinks.

Gordon River Cruise vs World Heritage Cruise: what’s the difference?

Itinerary comparison

Four differences matter most: departure time, lunch service, the sawmill stop, and alcoholic drinks. Here is how they stack up:

Two operators, one pattern: identical route but different onboard experience.

Onboard amenities

Gordon River Cruises promotes its modern catamaran with panoramic windows and outdoor viewing decks. World Heritage Cruises uses a smaller vessel that some reviewers call “cozy” — less space but closer to the water. Both have onboard toilets, commentary, and viewing areas.

Price considerations

Neither operator publishes standard ticket prices prominently — they adjust seasonally. Comparison site LaP of Tasmania puts World Heritage Cruises as the cheaper option before any discounts (LaP of Tasmania). Viator listings for both confirm lunch is included and that seniors discounts exist.

The trade-off: If a more premium experience with inclusive drinks and a buffet suits your style, Gordon River Cruises justifies the premium. If you want the core wilderness experience for the lowest cost, World Heritage Cruises delivers.

Use the table and pros/cons above to match your priorities.

The key takeaway is that while many facts are confirmed, pricing and specific menus remain uncertain.

Quotes from the water

“Our award-winning wilderness experience showcases the best of Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wilderness.”

– Gordon River Cruises (Gordon River Cruises official site)

“We were expecting a nice boat ride, but the rainforest walk and the history of Sarah Island really made the whole day special.”

– TripAdvisor reviewer

The common thread: passengers who named the guided walk and Sarah Island as highlights. The cruise does not rely on theatrics — it trusts the landscape to do the work.

For the traveller trying to decide between the two operators, the choice is less about route and more about style. If you want a quieter vessel, earlier start, and an all-inclusive lunch with drinks, Gordon River Cruises fits. If you are watching your wallet, prefer a later departure, and want an extra stop at the Huon Pine Sawmill, World Heritage Cruises delivers strong value. For families with young children, either works — but the shorter wait for the later departure may ease the morning rush. For seniors, both offer discounts, so the tiebreaker is the lunch style and whether you want unlimited drinks. The implication: book based on your in-cabin preferences, not the itinerary — the river does not care which boat you arrive on.

If you are weighing options, this Gordon River Cruise guide offers a comprehensive guide to costs and inclusions.

Frequently asked questions