7th Week - Tuesday - Strahan

Awake at 5 am.  Why you ask.  Because we have a family in a motor home next to us and that is what time they got up!  Dozed until 6.30 when we got up to be down at the dock by 8.  Our vessel was Lady Jane II and we were heading up the Gordon River but first we headed to  Hells Gates which is where the bay joins the ocean.  The bay is the second largest bay in Australia behind Port Phillip Bay.  We went out on the ocean turned around and back into the bay towards the Gordon River.  We stopped and looked at some fish farms and then headed into the heritage area.  We moored at Heritage Landing which is a boardwalk where we left the boat for a 400 metre walk through the rainforest.  Unfortunately everyone from the ship was also there so it was not peaceful but still enjoyable.  Back on the ship where we lunched on chicken, salmon and salads.  Next stop was Sarah Island, one of the oldest convict settlements in Australia.  We had a guided tour and heard how the inmates turned the island into one of the largest ship building yards in Australia.  Back on board we returned to Strahan.  Enjoyable day although we have decided if we return we will do the Franklin River on a sail boat to reduce the number of people and hopefully you will be able to appreciate the wilderness and peacefulness of the area.

Hells Gate

Entering the heritage area

Sarah Island ruins