Journey to Hells Gate, Strahan, TASMANIA
Airing Date: Dec 20th, 2004
The journey to Hells Gate starts from Strahan in Tasmania, aboard the brand new, high speed, four million dollar catamaran operated by Gordon River Cruises. It's a great way to experience one of the world's most amazing wilderness waterways.
Many of the first Europeans to visit this part of Western Tasmania did not do so by choice. They were convicts from Macquarie Harbour who were sent to the penal settlements at Sarah Island. The only way to get there was through Hells Gate, which well and truly felt like hell on earth. The waterways were cold, dark and the narrow pass where the ships sailed through was often very rough.
There was a huge shifting sandbar which meant that the waterways would sometimes be as shallow as 10 feet, causing some of the convict ships to get stuck for weeks on end. Many of the sailors and the convicts died before reaching Sarah Island, which is why they called it Hells Gate.
Despite the history, Hells Gate is a spectacular place to visit. All the country around the Gordon River is World Heritage listed with rainforests and Huon Pine trees up to 2000 years old. The Gordon boat cruise offers the option of lower and upper decks. The main or upper deck area costs slightly more but includes buffet lunch and wine.
On arrival at Sarah Island you'll be greeted by some interesting characters who'll give you an insight to convict life on the island 200 years ago. The island is full of ruins to explore.
One particular place of interest is the bakehouse, where the convict bakers used to add an extra ingredient to the bread, known as Ergo (or Ergot). This naturally-occurring mould on rye flour was deliberately added to the bread to make it turn mouldy very quickly, and thereby prevent the convicts from saving up their rations day by day. It was no wonder very few convicts managed to escape Sarah Island.
The Gordon River cruise offers two daily five and a half hour cruises during the high season. The trip includes stopovers at Sarah Island and the rainforest walk at the Heritage Landing.
The facts
The Gordon River cruises half day trip costs $65 on the lower deck and $149 on the upper deck. (Upper deck includes wine and buffet lunch.)
Rooms at the Strahan Village start from $140 a double. Packages start from $335 a person. Includes two nights, breakfast and upper deck seat on the Gordon River Cruise.
This price is availablke for the first 100 callers.
Federal Hotels and Resorts
Tel: 1800 010 490
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 20/12/04
