Strahan is located on the west coast of Tasmania, and was named after the Governor of Tasmania from 1881-86, Sir George Cumine Strahan. It lies on the shores of Macquarie Harbour whose waters are a murky brown colour, not due to pollution but as a result of the leaching of natural tannin from the vast forests that surround the harbour.

The harbour is second in size only to Sydney Harbour, was the site of a convict settlement on Sarah Island, and was previously one of the busiest ports in the state of Tasmania.

The town is one of the few non mining settlements on the west coast, and dates to 1878 when the Great Western Tin Mining Company established a store and some simple huts on the shores of the harbour. Originally known as Long Bay, the town became an important landing place for supplies to the Heemskirk tin mines. The original settlement was a mile west of the present day site.

One of the first pioneers in the area was Frederick Ormiston Henry, who was granted a license on the east side of Long Bay in 1883. From this area, the present day site of Strahan was founded. The King River Hotel had the honour of being the first Hotel in the town.

Long Bay was used as a supply source for the mines in the Mt Lyell district, and the town's status as a port was confirmed with the Zeehan mining boom in 1888. A railway link between Zeehan and Strahan was completed in 1891, and thus confirmed Strahan's position of being the port of entry to the west coast.

1911 saw a population of 1,011 people living in Strahan, with all the modern amenities available to them, including post and telegraph services, limited banking facilities, public halls, a library, a state school and a police constable. Sea links were by the ships Wainui from Hobart and Melbourne, and Toroa from Launceston weekly.

The construction of the ABT rail link from the smelters of Queenstown to Strahan led to a 70 year association with the Mt Lyell mining and Railway Company. However, the decline of mining and the closure of the ABT railway in 1963 led to Strahan's demise as a great shipping port. Recent discoveries of quartzite silica near Cape Sorell may serve to rejuvenate the port.

Today the main activities in the town are tourism, fishing, aquaculture and forestry. Strahan boasts one of the State's few seaplane services, and is the starting point of the world famous Gordon River Cruises.


Museums and Historic Sites

Strahan has several historic buildings still in use. The union Steamship Company and the Customs House were constructed during the mining boom in the town, and the remains of a railway station can be seen by the shores of the harbour.

The Strahan Wharf Centre has a comprehensive history of the town and its evolution. Displays range from Aboriginal history, the settlement on Sarah Island, the Huon Pine and other exhibitions on mining and forestry, conservation and the south west heritage region.

Ormiston, a stately house constructed in 1902, remains one of the finest examples of Federation architecture, and today it is the residence of the Duke of Avram. The remains of one of the Huon Pine Sawmills stands at the wharf, and at Cape Sorell the third largest lighthouse in Tasmania stands, established in 1902.

Franklin Manor stands in beautifully manicured gardens on the shores of Macquarie Harbour and dates from 1896. This historic building now offers colonial style accommodation in elegant surrounds, with high class attention to detail.

Natural Attractions

The magnificent 40 kilometre long Ocean Beach lies 6 kilometres to the west of Strahan, and is ideal for surfing, beachcombing and strolling along admiring the fabulous oceanscape. A sheltered picnic and camping ground is located here for those wishing to stay longer in the area, or perhaps wanting to admire the sunset and sunrise.

The King River, although polluted by mining runoff from Queenstown, can be visited by bushwalkers wishing to explore untouched rainforest habitats at the Teepookana Forest Reserve.

The walk in the reserve to the Iron Bridge takes about one and a half hours. You will come across the King River Viewing platform along the way, and there are interpretive signs to fill you in on the details of what has happened over time to the King River. Peoples Park at Strahan has a wide variety of plant species for visitors to admire, with a scenic highlight being the Hogarth Falls.

Visitors should embark on a half day Gordon River Cruise, which passes the former penal colony Sarah Island and glides along the tranquil tree lined Gordon River, before landing at a special 500 metre bushwalk which incorporates a 2,000 year old Huon Pine and other native trees and wildlife, before heading downstream and out towards Hells Gates at the mouth of the harbour.

Other Attractions

Take a scenic seaplane flight from Strahan with Wilderness Air and view the unforgettable scenery of the Franklin River, Frenchmans Gap, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, the southwest Heritage area and Sarah Island. Visitors can play golf, tennis, and indoor bowls as well as enjoying outdoor pursuits such as bushwalking and sea, river and lake fishing.

Hire a yacht and explore the environs at your leisure, or cruise the harbour on an organised adventure cruise with West Coast Yacht Charters. Gordon River Tours can be arranged with World Heritage Cruises and Gordon River Cruises. Jet boat rides can be taken on the King River with Wild Rivers Jet. Explore the area on horseback with Strahan Trail Rides.

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