Gordon River Paddle is based in Strahan and offers an amazing kayaking adventure wilderness experience, exploring untouched World Heritage wilderness from your safe stable kayak. This full day signature experience on Tasmania’s West Coast combines a cruise on Lady Jane Franklin II with a sea kayak trip for an intimate exploration of the iconic Gordon River.
After cruising from Strahan aboard Lady Jane Franklin II, the kayaks are launched at Heritage Landing, the furthest point that cruise boats can reach. With a maximum of eight people, enjoy the intimate experience with a comfortable 1.5 hour paddle upstream on the calm, quiet waters of the lower Gordon River, spotting platypus and water birds and experiencing the beauty of the wilderness. You’ll go ashore to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on a riverbank in the rainforest, before drifting silently back downstream to meet the afternoon cruise back to Strahan.
During 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.
Winter Operations of the Gordon River Paddle includes an afternoon tea on board the fast cruiser Sophia on return back to Strahan.
A day you’ll always remember begins with a voyage from Strahan across Macquarie Harbour on Lady Jane Franklin II. You’ll pass through Hells Gates and feel the power of the Southern Ocean. We then glide into the Gordon River alongside ancient rainforest mirrored in the water.
After a safety briefing from your guide we’ll lower the sea kayaks at Heritage Landing where you’re free to explore. With a minimum of two and a maximum of eight paddlers you’ll be in a small intimate group moving quietly upstream.
This is the best way to experience a wild river – pristine forest air to breath, ripples fanning away from the bow, the swirl of a platypus overhead. Only bush birds and the splash of your paddle break the silence of the wilderness.
After an easy hour and a half’s paddling, we’ll go ashore for a hot drink and riverbank picnic lunch of fresh Tasmanian produce.
Then it’s a lazy drift and paddle back downstream hearing stories of the river before arriving at Heritage Landing to meet the afternoon cruise back to Strahan.
Now it’s time to relax after your adventure.
Operates with a minimum of two persons and a maximum of eight. Departs daily excluding Christmas Day at 0830 and returns at 2030 (winter operations return at approx 1800). Includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner (dinner only included during Daylight Savings Time). Operates all year round. Tour Cost: $310 (from April to October), $365 (from October to April).
