Take a glide on the wild side with an indulgent sunset cruise on the Gordon River
Sipping on some of Tasmania’s finest bubbles as you cruise out to the famous Hells Gates at sunset is a magical way to spend a warm summer’s evening on the West Coast.
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It was a beautiful warm night in late summer and Macquarie Harbour was sparkling as the Spirit of the Wild sailed away from the dock in Strahan’s main street.
The 40 people on board were a mix of locals, other Tasmanians and interstate visitors.
They were about to immerse themselves into not only Strahan’s world famous world heritage wilderness, but also a selection of premium wines from award-winning Tasmanian winery Clover Hill.
The winery, at Lebrina, which was established in 1986, specialises in sparkling wines and has been recognised with numerous awards which include being inducted into the Australian Sparkling Hall of Honour in 2017 and twice being awarded Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year.
It was the first time a sunset cruise had been held on board the Spirit of the Wild featuring wine. But other successful sunset events have been held highlighting Tasmanian whisky and gin.
“They were simply roaring successes and we hope to continue these type of events,” a company spokesman says.
Three Clover Hill wines were featured on this inaugural cruise – a brut, a blanc de blancs and a rose.
They went down a treat as musician Amy Pegg belted out some tunes and a series of canapes prepared by chef Nico Olejniczak were passed as the impressive hybrid luxury vessel headed out towards Macquarie Heads
“It is basically a two-hour drinks and nibbles event but with spectacular views,” skipper Ben Harper says.
Harper has been the skipper of the Spirit of the Wild for three years and he says the harbour and river views never grew old despite him sailing two times a day over the six-week peak summer period. He is also the boat’s chief engineer and lives locally in Strahan.
“When you consider all the places in the world where you could work, you have got to admit this is pretty good,” he says.
Local West Coasters on board the cruise echoed his sentiments, saying the two-hour sunset cruise, complete with drinks, nibbles and music, was a relaxing and fun way to be reminded of the beauty of their home.
It is a beauty that attracts thousands of international and domestic tourists each year with Gordon River Cruises welcoming about 80,000 passengers annually in pre-Covid-19 years.
One local passenger remarked it was “a wonderful way to end a warm, summer’s day”.
“The harbour is spectacular and it reminds me to never take for granted the wilderness on our doorstep. Despite sailing many, many times it is still magical,” they say.
The Spirit of the Wild was launched in 2018, and was built in Hobart by Richardson Devine Marine, with the Gordon River specifically in mind.
The colour of the vessel means it almost disappears while on the tannin rich Gordon River and its electric motors also provide a quiet cruising experience in the world heritage area. It is understood it is the first commercial passenger vessel of its type in the southern hemisphere to be fitted with diesel engines and electric motors.
This night, the vessel did not go down the Gordon River but went out to Macquarie Heads.
The warm and still conditions meant passengers could go out on the decks and take in the amazing views.
People were still out driving 4WDs and swimming off Ocean Dunes beach.
At one of the remote shacks perched high on the river bank near a lighthouse, a group of friends having a barbecue gave the Spirit of the Wild a big wave as it went by.
Back inside it was all about the three featured Clover Hill wines.
Clover Hill’s Vintage Brut is described as an elegant wine that captures the essence of Tasmania’s cool climate while its Exceptionnelle Rosé won the Best Australian Rosé award at the 2021 Champagne Sparkling Wine World Championships.
A review of Clover Hill’s Blanc de Blancs by Angus Wine Pilot described it as a “galaxy of tiny rising bubbles”.
“This firmly takes its place in the top tier of Tassie sparklings,” according to the review.
As the Spirit of the Wild came back into port in Strahan the sun was almost set but it was still warm.
Many of the disembarking passengers had formed friendships on board, and headed across the road to Hamer’s Hotel for a nightcap.
A sunset cruise on Macquarie Harbour is definitely worth the drive to Strahan.
The author was a guest of Clover Hill Wines and Gordon River Cruises.
Make a note
The Spirit of the Wild is operated by Gordon River Cruises and departs from the Port of Strahan on Tasmania’s West Coast. Gordon River Cruises also operates the MV Sophia.
Price
Ticket pricing for the cruise is $150 a person and Clover Hill Wines plans to hold sunset cruise events two to three times a year during spring and summer.
While you’re there
Explore Strahan and the wider West Coast region. Ocean Beach is only a short drive away.
Bookings
Go to www.gordonrivercruises.com.au
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