Strahan

Strahan is about 300 km west of the state capital of Hobart, on one of the most isolated (and beautiful) parts of Australia. It is also an excellent base where the West Coast Wilderness Railway can be accessed, Gordon River cruises can be taken, and other adventurous ways of negotiating the western edges of the South West World Heritage area.
It began as a staging place for explorers into the South West, and mining areas in the Western areas of the state. It later became a mining port and was the main timber industry and general shipping centre for the area.
For most of the 20th century Strahan was smaller than Queenstown and Zeehan – and served as a port for both locations. Now Queenstown and Zeehan are ghosts of their former glory, and Strahan is now promoted as the main tourist centre for Tasmania's west coast region.
It is considered to be the 'gateway' for boats, planes and helicopters taking visitors to the world heritage southwest wilderness area.
There is also an oceangoing small fishing industry that still operates out of Strahan. In the harbour to the south of Strahan there are a number salmon farming ventures, which can be seen from the boats that travel to Sarah Island or the Gordon River.

By car

From the south east, take the A10 highway from Hobart, the Lyell Highway via Queenstown. This is about a 300-km drive and usually takes about 5 hours.
From the north coast, take the A10 which passes through Tullah, there are two ways to Strahan from just south of Tullah:

• Rosebery, Zeehan and via B27 down to Strahan
• Take B28 that runs just west of the spectacular West Coast Range, down to Queenstown, and then the B24 which runs to Strahan

By train

The West Coast Wilderness railway has re-commenced operations following a time of changing ownership and maintenance on the line.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway operates a railway line between Queenstown and Strahan, a distance of 34 km.
There are services that use Strahan as a base for a trip to Dubbil Barril and to Queenstown.
The ordinary railway connection between Strahan, Zeehan, and the rest of Tasmania closed in 1960. The old railway line became a road that provides access to views of Ocean Beach and the West Coast Range.
Other old railway lines on the west coast have become walking and driving trails.

By plane

Strahan Airport - Although helicopter and fixed-wing flights operate from here for charter flights into the south-west wilderness area, or over locations in western Tasmania, there are no regular passenger flights to Strahan from other airports in Tasmania or the mainland. Regional Express (Rex) fly to Burnie daily and Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Qantas flying to Launceston Airport.

By boat

Not implausible - commercial yachts or launches are not known as regular visitors - Hells Gates (the head of Macquarie Harbour) is the main restriction due to shallow draught and difficult maneuvering. Private larger sized sea-going boats have been seen at the wharf in Strahan and Regatta Point over time, although regular shipping services relative the mining industry in Zeehan or Queenstown had mainly ceased in the mid-1970s. The possibility of being able to arrange a passage from the mainland Australia, the north coast of Tasmania or Hobart by private boat in the summer time is very low, but possible, and would require patience to track down whether anyone was venturing into the west coast waters. It would be very ill-advised to hitch a ride with anyone who did not have local knowledge (or access to it) of the negotiation of Hells Gates and West Coast conditions - Captain Fathom is a very good indicator of the height of the swells that would be encountered. A visit to Ocean Beach for a view during a storm is also a salient and sobering experience for anyone considering access from the ocean.

By bus

TassieLink runs a service from Hobart to Strahan a couple of days a week. It's a big trip (5 hr plus a wait at Lake St Clair), but will get you in.

Strahan is connected to other parts of the west coast by a bus service.
There is no local service within the Strahan/Regatta Point area, and a significant number of features of the two locations can be walked.

By bike

Strahan and Regatta Point are bike friendly, despite the immediate hill up to the level at which part of Regatta Point and Strahan are on.

By car

Most of the roads on the west coast are sealed and easily usable by cars of any capacity. The roads further off the mainroads can be both unsealed, and not suitable for domestic vehicles. The more out of the way locations on the map which appear to be accessible
Watch out for logging trucks on the Strahan to Zeehan road.

By foot

A number of the local attractions like Peoples Park require walking into.

By tours

Strahan is the base for some of the tours in the area, others start in Queenstown.

By boat

Boating in Macquarie Harbour is safe, but all weather warnings and boating regulations are well worth taking note of. Travelling out to sea through Hells Gates is not recommended. (See above in 'Get In' section about boating out to sea, or arriving by boat.)

• Cape Sorell LighthouseConstructed in 1899, 40 m high and 2.5 m in diameter.

• Macquarie Harbour CruisesCruises travel across Macquarie Harbour and up the lower reaches of the Gordon River. River cruises encompass the World Heritage Area, Hells Gates, the local aquaculture industry and Sarah Island.

• Ocean BeachDesolate and beautiful. 40 km long with large dunes. Waves hitting here have travelled all the way from Patagonia in South America.

• People's Park and Hogarth FallsAt the northernmost end of Strahan Harbour, the Park a mix of natural forest and botanical gardens, with picnic and camping facilities. From here it's a 30-minute walk to the Hogarth Falls through rainforest.

• Sarah IslandFormer convict station, dating from 1822. Ruins of buildings still visible.

• Strahan Wharf CentreComprehensive display recounting the story of the Tasmanian west coast.

• The Ship That Never Was

  phone: +61 3 6471 7700
  address: Strahan Visitors Centre, at The Esplanade
  Longest-running theatre production in Tasmania; the true story of the escape from Sarah Island, by the Round Earth Theatre Company.

• Visitors Information Centre

  phone: +61 3-6472-6800
  address: The Esplanade
  Good place to check first. The Government of Tasmania sponsors a web site just for the town of Strahan.

• Water Tower Hill Lookout

  address: Esk Street.
  Excellent view of town and Macquarie Harbour.

• West Coast Yacht Charters

  phone: +61 3-6471-7422
  "Stormbreakers" at The Esplanade. Sailing tours to the Gordon River, etc.

• Gordon River CruisesSix-hour cruise with professional guides, includes Hell's Gates, Macquarie Harbour, Sarah Island and The Gordon River World Heritage Area.

• There are a range of adventure tours available in Strahan, including Wilderness Air, Wild Rivers Jet Rides, Hell's Gates Wilderness Tours, Seair Adventure Charters, in addition to the various trips around the Gordon River, operated by World Heritage Cruises and Gordon River Cruises. Details and bookings are available at the Strahan Visitors Centre.

• Wilderness Woodworks Strahan

  phone: +61 3-6471-7244
  address: 12 The Esplanade
  Crafts people using only salvaged and reclaimed Huon Pine to produce original and functional wooden articles.

Several of the small shops in town offer fresh crayfish by request, see the signs posted outside for availability.

• Franklin Manor Restaurant

  phone: +61 3-6471-7247
  address: The Esplanade
  Also a boutique guest house.

• Ormiston House

  phone: +61 3-6471-7077
  address: The Esplanade

• The Strahan Village

  phone: +61 3-6471-4200
  address: The Esplanade

• View 42

  phone: +61 3-6471-4200
  address: Jolly Street
  Seafood buffet restaurant and wine cellar. Open for breakfast and dinner.

• Hamers Bar and Grill

  phone: +61 3-6471-4200
  address: The Esplande
  Up market counter meal featuring a variety of Australian dishes. Has a public bar and bottle shop attached.

• Fish Cafe on the Wharf

  phone: +61 3-6471-4200
  address: The Esplanade
  Fresh cooked seafood for eat in or take away. Open for lunch or dinner.

• Wild River Pizza and Pasta Bar

  phone: +61 3-6471-4200
  address: The Esplanade
  Local twist on old favourites, pizza made to order and fresh pasta dishes.

• Banjos

  address: The Esplanade
  Great bakery, fantastic meals.

• Hamers Hotel

  phone: +61 3-6471-4200
  address: The Esplanade
  Public bar featuring cosy log fires and beautifully decorated to showcase the region's maritime history.

• Aldermere Estate Luxury Accommodation

  address: 27 Harvey Street
  8 self-contained apartments

• All Inn Strahan

  address: 22 Meredith St
  Self-contained condominiums

• Aloft Boutique Accommodation

  phone: +61 3-6471-8095
  address: 15 Reid Street
  Self-contained apartments and studios

• Azzas Cabins

  phone: +61 3-6471-7253
  address: Innes Street

• Bushman's Bar, Cafe, & Accommodation

  address: 1 Harold Street
  Lodge

• Cape Horn Accommodation

  phone: +61 3-6471-7469
  address: Frazer Street
  Bed and breakfast.

• Castaway Holiday Apartments

  address: 12 Harvey Street
  2 bedroom self-contained apartments

• Driftwood Strahan Villas in Strahan

  phone: +61 3 6471 7618
  address: 34 Harvey Street
  Family-owned accommodation with 8 fully self-contained holiday apartments. With kitchens and separate bedrooms. One villa has disabled access facilities.

• Franklin Manor Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +61 3-6471-7311
  address: 75 Esplanade
  Boutique guest house (14 rooms plus 4 apartments) with restaurant. No smoking.

• Glenaire Apartments

  address: Meredith St
  condominiums

• Gordon Gateway Chalet

  phone: +61 3-6471-7165
  address: 4 Grining Street
  Self-contained cottage. Studio units sleeping four persons.

• Greengate Cottages

  phone: +61 3-6471-7456
  address: 9 Merideth Street
  Self-contained cottages.

• Gull Cottage

  phone: +61 3-6471-7227
  address: The Esplanade

• Harbour Views Apartments

  phone: +61 3-6471-7143
  address: 1 Charles Street

• Kerrellie Cottages

  address: 6 Reid Street
  cottages

• Kitty's Place

  address: 5-7 Innes Street West
  specialty inn

• Macquarie Heads Camping Ground

  phone: +61 3-6471-7261
  At Macquarie Heads.

• Marsden Court

  phone: +61 3-6471-7724
  address: 23 Andrew Street
  8 spacious studio and 4 x 2 bedroom self-contained apartments set in landscaped gardens in a secure gated community

• McIntosh Cottages

  phone: +61 3-6471-7358
  address: 18 Harvey Street

• Motel Strahan

  address: 3 Andrew St
  motel

• Ormiston House Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +61 3-6471-7077
  address: 1 Esplanade
  5 well-sized, antique-filled rooms in five-star accommodation in historic building.

• Regatta Point Tavern & Holiday Villas

  phone: +61 3-6471-7103
  address: 125-129 Esplanade
  condominiums

• Risby Cove

  address: Esplanade
  studios and suites

• Risby House

  phone: +61 3-6471-7340
  address: Lot 1, Lodder Street
  Holiday units.

• Sailors Rest Apartment

  phone: +61 3-6471-7237
  address: Harvey Street

• Sharonlee Strahan Villas

  phone: +61 3-6471-7224
  address: 23 Andrew Street
  Sharonlee villas offer spacious 2-bedroom self-contained apartments set in a garden setting. All villas are ground floor with carports and are close to all the attractions of Strahan.

• Shoalhaven Chalet Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +61 3-6471-7400
  address: 1 Gaffney Street

• Strahan Beach Tourist Park

  address: 1 Beach Street

• Strahan Bungalows

  address: cnr Andrew & Harvey Sts
  Queen Deluxe Suite and two-bedroom bungalows

• Strahan Holiday Park

  phone: +61 3-6471-7442
  address: 10 Jones Street
  Accommodation ranges from large cottages sleeping 6-10 people to deluxe cabins, standard cabins and budget on-site units, all self-contained. Powered & unpowered camping/caravan sites also available. 4-acre site about 150 m from West Strahan Beach.

• Strahan Holiday Retreat

  address: 8-10 Innes St West
  self-contained cabin

• Strahan Lodge Bayview Cottages

  phone: +61 3-6471-7142
  address: Ocean Beach Road
  Self-contained cottages.

• Strahan Motor Inn

  phone: +61 3-6471-7160
  address: Jolly Street
  Also has restaurant.

• Strahan Village Cottages Motel

  phone: +61 3-6471-7191
  address: The Esplanade, building A
  Also has restaurant.

• Strahan Youth Hostel

  phone: +61 3-6471-7255
  address: 43 Harvey Street

• The Crays Accommodation

  address: 59 Esplanade
  six simple studios and cottages

• The Piners Loft Apartment

  phone: +61 3-6471-7036
  address: The Esplanade

• West Strahan Caravan Park

  phone: +61 3-6471-7239
  address: The Esplanade

• Wheelhouse Apartments

  address: 4 Frazer St
  two-bedroom town houses

South

• It is possible to charter aeroplanes or helicopters (in season) to travel over parts of the south west wilderness.

North

• Zeehan
• Further North - Burnie or Devonport

East

• Queenstown - About 50 km from Strahan, back towards Hobart.
• Further East Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park