The Gordon River rises in Lake Richmond and travels west to meet the sea at Macquarie Harbour. Due to the ruggedness of the country through which this river flows it is virtually uninhabited, and bushwalkers can't explore all the areas along the river's course. The only testament to human activity in some areas are the logging camps to be found dotted at various intervals along the river.

The river was first explored by Captain James Kelly in 1816, and was named by him in honour of James Gordon, the man who had lent Kelly a whaleboat with which to sail around Tasmania. By 1939 a small tract of forest on either bank of the river had been explored.

The Gordon is Tasmania's largest river, and since 1890 visitors have been cruising the 42 kilometre stretch of the river in order to see the majestic sights and spectacular panoramas. The river was declared a World Heritage Area in 1982, and today visitors can take a cruise commencing from Strahan and explore this wilderness area.

The Gordon River's history includes its part in the Gordon River Power Scheme, an initiative of the Hydro-Electric Commission of Tasmania.

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