Welcome to Cradle Country & The West
Welcome to the island's wild west, a land of endless ocean beaches, ancient mossy rainforests, tannin-tinted rivers, glacier-sculpted mountains, wildflower-strewn high plains and boundless horizons – a place where you'll often feel like you are the only soul on earth. This is Tasmania’s vast outdoor playground, replete with national parks, conservation reserves and World Heritage–protected wilderness, where your options for adventure are varied and plentiful.
Top experiences in Cradle Country & The West
Travel guides
Starting at $38.99
Cradle Country & The West activities
Gordon River Cruise from Strahan
Both tours take place aboard Spirit of the Wild, a spacious, catamaran specially designed to travel smoothly on the Gordon River and fitted with a unique hybrid propulsion system that allows you to cruise quietly on the Gordon River. When booking your morning or afternoon cruise, you have three seating options to choose from: Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window or Premier Upper Deck. Morning cruise (6 hours): Depart Strahan and pass by Hells Gates, a narrow opening where the Southern Ocean meets Macquarie Harbour. As you take in the small gap—just 240 feet (80 meters)—it’s not hard to see how it got its ominous name from early sailors. Then head across the harbour, passing fish farms and then making your way to the lower reaches of the Gordon River as you cruise quietly under the power of Spirit of the Wild's unique hybrid propulsion system. Take in views of the ancient rainforest landscape of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Disembark at Heritage Landing for a walk through the forest to see a variety of trees, including leatherwoods and a unique species of pine. Stroll down a raised boardwalk, and arrive at a 2,000-year-old Huon pine that fell to the ground but still grows saplings. Then visit Sarah Island, a former penal colony from the 1820s and 1830s, and watch a theatrical presentation to learn about its history, including how the island was once an important Australian shipyard, where the boats were built by convicts. When you’re on board the boat, you are welcome to visit the deck for fresh air and views, or admire the display of photos and maps. Enjoy lunch according to your tour option selected. Your cruise ends with return to Strahan. Afternoon cruise (3.5 hours - peak season only): Setting off from Strahan, glide through Macquarie Harbour to the Gordon River, where the boat will slow for your leisurely trip up the river, cruising into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Spot an ancient Huon pine tree on the water, and hear narration from your guides about the history characters of the region. See native leatherwood trees along the riverbank in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, and enjoy a taste of leatherwood honey. Take a look at fish farms that supply Tasmania with ocean trout and salmon, and then head toward the entrance of the harbour for a look at Hells Gates, the sometimes-hazardous opening where the harbor and ocean meet. Your cruise ends when you return to Strahan.
Bonnet Island Wildlife Cruise from Strahan
Meet your local guide in Strahan then set out by fast boat to Bonnet Island. Hear informative commentary as you glide over the ocean to the small island where the world’s smallest penguin species nest in a thriving colony. You'll get the rare opportunity to set foot on Bonnet Island to see the pint-size penguins.Once your boat reaches the island, follow your expert guide on land in search of little penguins. Learn about the birds and their habitat while carefully walking about the rocky terrain of the island. If it is dusk, your guide provides special lights that do not disturb the birds. If you're lucky, you get to see the little penguins returning to their nests after a day of hunting for food to feed their young. After exploring, return to the boat where a gourmet platter of cheese, fruit and drinks awaits. While snacking, look out at the Bonnet Island lighthouse and listen to stories about its keepers and their families. Imagine living in this remote area, trying to prevent shipwrecks in stormy conditions. Hop aboard your boat to return to Strahan. Your tour ends when you return to Strahan.Please note: Wear warm clothing and sturdy closed-toe walking shoes. A fleece jacket, warm hat, gloves and waterproof jacket are recommended.
Strahan Village Tasmanian Whisky Tasting
Your whisky tasting features four Hellyers Road whiskies from North West Tasmania, enjoyed at View 42° Restaurant & Lounge Bar while overlooking Macquarie Harbour and the Strahan Esplanade. Your tasting is served as a flight, with notes to explain the characteristics of each whisky. Start your tastings with a light and approachable ‘original’ whisky and progress to Hellyer Road’s aged 10-year whisky, then a pinot barrel-aged whisky and to finish your tasting, a smoky peated single malt. Kick back, take your time and recap on the day’s adventures during your tasting. Free WiFi is available at View 42° Restaurant & Lounge Bar and accompanying snacks and tasting platters are also available for purchase.
Afternoon Highlights Gordon River Cruise from Strahan
Join us aboard the Spirit of the Wild, a spacious, catamaran specially designed to travel smoothly on the Gordon River and fitted with a unique hybrid propulsion system that allows you to cruise quietly on the Gordon River. When booking your cruise, you have three seating options to choose from: Main Deck Central, Main Deck Window or Premier Upper Deck. Setting off from Strahan, glide through Macquarie Harbour to the Gordon River, where the boat will slow for your leisurely trip up the river, cruising into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Spot an ancient Huon pine tree on the water, and hear narration from your guides about the history characters of the region. See native leatherwood trees along the riverbank in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, and enjoy a taste of leatherwood honey. Take a look at fish farms that supply Tasmania with ocean trout and salmon, and then head toward the entrance of the harbour for a look at Hells Gates, the sometimes-hazardous opening where the harbor and ocean meet. Your cruise ends when you return to Strahan.
West Coast Wilderness Railway: River and Rainforest from Strahan
The four-hour River and Rainforest tour departs from Regatta Point Station, Strahan and takes you from the shores of Macquarie Harbour into the rainforest and mountains of Tasmania’s rugged west coast. As you enter the rainforest, you’ll follow the course of the King River to Teepookana – once the fourth busiest port in Tasmania, and the place where construction of the railway first began. You’ll visit some of the stations along the line as far as Dubbil Barril Station, where you can watch the locomotive being turned by hand. You will have the opportunity to walk in the rainforest and taste wild leatherwood honey. There are no toilets on the train, yet available at every station. Please be at the station 30 minutes prior to departure as boarding starts 15 minutes prior to departure. The railway experience ends at Regatta Point Station, Strahan.
West Coast Wilderness Railway: Queenstown Explorer from Strahan
You will stop at Lower Landing on the edge of the King River, and Dubbil Barril where there is a short walking trail through the rainforest to see Huon pine and other native forest species. You will ascend the steepest section of track under the power of the Abt rack and pinion system to reach Rinadeena, where annual rainfall can be up to three metres! This is the only operating Abt rack and pinon railway in the Southern Hemisphere. Your tour includes a 90-minute lunch stop in Queenstown, where you will have time to explore this historic mining town and take an optional guided walking tour.