'''Strahan''' (pronounced "straw-n") is a town in the island state of Tasmania in Australia. It's located on Tasmania's west coast at Long Bay at the northern end of Macquarie Harbour, about 300 km west of the state capital of Hobart, and known as one of the most isolated (and beautiful) parts of Australia. Originally a penal colony, it became a mining port and later an important timber industry and general shipping centre for the area. Strahan is now the main tourist centre for Tasmania's west coast region, the 'gateway' for boats, planes and helicopters taking visitors to the southwest wilderness. There is also a small fishing industry that still operates out of Strahan.

Get in

By car

Take the A10 highway from Hobart, via Queenstown. This is about a 300 km drive and takes just under 5 hours.

By train

The '''West Coast Wilderness Railway''' [http://www.federalgroup.com.au/content/view/13/27/] operates as a tourist attraction between Queenstown and Strahan, a distance of 34 km. The ordinary railway connection between Strahan and the rest of Tasmania closed in 1960.

By air

'''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 currently 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.

Get around

See

  • '''Cape Sorell Lighthouse''' - Constructed in 1899, 40 metres high and 2.5 metres in diameter.
  • '''Macquarie Harbour Cruises''' - Tel: +61-3-6471-7187. There are a number of cruises which travel across Macquarie Harbour and up the lower reaches of the Gordon River. Some go to Hells Gate and Sarah Island.
  • '''Ocean Beach''' - Desolate 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 Falls''' - At 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 Island''' - Former convict station, dating from 1822. Ruins of buildings still visible.
  • '''Strahan Wharf Centre''' - Tel: +61-3-6471-7488. Comprehensive display recounting the story of the Tasmanian west coast.
  • '''The Ship That Never Was''' [http://www.roundearth.com.au/ship.htm] - Strahan Visitors Centre, at The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7700. Longest running theatre production in Tasmania, the true story of the escape from Sarah Island, by the Round Earth Theatre Company.
  • '''Visitors Information Centre''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7622. Good place to check first. The Government of Tasmania sponsors a web site just for the town of Strahan [http://www.strahanvillage.com.au/].
  • '''Water Tower Hill Lookout''' - Esk Street. Excellent view of town and Macquarie Harbour.
  • Do

  • '''4 Wheelers''' [http://www.4wheelers.com.au/] - Just off Highway B27 about 14 km north of Strahan. Tel: 0419 508 175. Guided 4 wheel motorbike tours at the Henty Sand Dunes.
  • '''West Coast Yacht Charters''' - "Stormbreakers" at The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7422. Sailing tours to the Gordon River, etc.
  • '''Gordon River Cruises''' [http://www.federalgroup.com.au/content/view/14/28/] - Tel: 1800 130 002. One of Australia's most famous wilderness areas with 2000 year old trees in the rainforest. Huon pines.
  • 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, such as operated by '''World Heritage Cruises''' [http://www.worldheritagecruises.com.au/]. Details and bookings are available at the Strahan Visitors Centre.
  • You can go on the '''Bold text'''West Coast Wilderness Railway'''Bold text''' - the best part of this is on the steam train from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril, which is booked out ahead of the Dubbil Barril to Strahan leg on the diesel engine.
  • Buy

  • '''Strahan Woodworks''' [http://www.strahanwoodworks.com.au/] - 12 The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7244. Crafts people using only salvaged and reclaimed Huon Pine to original and functional wooden products.
  • Eat

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

  • '''Franklin Manor Restaurant''' [http://www.franklinmanor.com.au/] - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7247. Also a boutique guest house.
  • '''Ormiston House''' [http://www.ormistonhouse.com.au/] - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7077.
  • '''The Strahan Village''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7191.
  • Drink

  • '''Hamers Hotel''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7191.
  • Sleep

  • '''Aloft boutique Accommodation''' [http://www.aloftaccommodation.com] - 15 Reid Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-8095. Serviced Apartments
  • '''Azzas Cabins''' - Innes Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7253.
  • '''Cape Horn Accommodation''' - Frazer Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7469. Bed and breakfast.
  • '''Franklin Manor Bed & Breakfast''' [http://www.franklinmanor.com.au/] - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7311. Boutique guest house (14 rooms plus 4 apartments) with restaurant. No smoking.
  • '''Gordon Gateway Chalet''' - Grining Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7165. Self-contained cottage.
  • '''Greengate Cottages''' - 21 Merideth Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7456. Self-contained cottages.
  • '''Gull Cottage''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7227.
  • '''Harbour Views Apartments''' 1 Charles Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7143.
  • '''McIntosh Cottages''' - 18 Harvey Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7358.
  • '''Macquarie Heads Camping Ground''' - at Macquarie Heads. Tel: +61-3-6471-7261.
  • '''Ormiston House Bed & Breakfast''' [http://www.ormistonhouse.com.au/] - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7077. Five star accommodation in historic building.
  • '''Regatta Point Holiday Apartments''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7103.
  • '''Risby House''' - Lot 1, Lodder Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7340. Holiday units.
  • '''Sailors Rest Apartment''' - Harvey Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7237.
  • '''Sharonlee Apartments''' - Andrew Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7224.
  • '''Shoalhaven Chalet Bed & Breakfast''' - 1 Gaffney Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7400.
  • '''Strahan Colonial Cottage''' - Reid Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7612 or +61-3-6471-7019.
  • '''Strahan Holiday Park''' - 10 Jones Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7442. 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 Lodge Bayview Cottages''' - Ocean Beach Road. Tel: +61-3-6471-7142. Self-contained cottages.
  • '''Strahan Motor Inn''' - Jolly Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7160. Also has restaurant.
  • '''Strahan Village Cottages Motel''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7191. Also has restaurant.
  • '''Strahan Youth Hostel''' - Harvey Street. Tel: +61-3-6471-7255.
  • '''The Piners Loft Apartment''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7036.
  • '''West Strahan Caravan Park''' - The Esplanade. Tel: +61-3-6471-7239.
  • Get out

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