Hells Gates and convicts

We love being near and on the water and today was no exception 'cos we took the Harbour Master Red Boat at Strahan for a trip to Sarah Island, passing through Hells Gates, the narrow entrance to Macquarie Harbour and a 2-hour cruise along the Gordon River which stopped briefly at Heritage Landing for a rainforest walk and talk.

The boarding was to commence at 8.30am and to make sure of a parking spot we arrived early. The Gold tickets purchased were for the upper deck with window seating, included morning tea and cake and a buffet lunch.

Salmon was also on the menu but was still in the fridge

 The day was not the sunny day depicted in the brochure. In fact, it was positively dismal and very wet. Didn't stop us from braving the elements when passing through Hells Gates. Click HERE
to see why that name was given.

Hells Gates entrance

The tide Race

 At Sarah island, a 60-minute shore leave was encouraged by the captain to all the passengers to view some of the oldest convict ruins on the island, a settlement which pre-dates Port Arthur by decades. There is another good read about the place so click HERE 

Kitchens

Lime Pit

Solitary Confinement Goal

The Bakehouse

Penitentiary.

From the island, it was back through Hells Gate and onto the Gordon River

Heritage Landing

Bracket Fungi

Another fungus but with a bush growing through the middle

Yes it was cold!

Arriving back at the Big 4 campsite, Ian checked his emails and found to his (and my) disappointment that the Wilderness steam loco leaving from Strahan and travelling to Queenstown had been cancelled. We looked at each other and groaned. Couldn't believe it was happening again. Hadn't we had enough trips cancelled in New Zealand!,The annoying thing about this though, we had paid for VIP treatment which included a welcoming glass of sparkling wine onboarding, canapés, morning tea, lunch at Tracks Cafe in Queenstown, a selection of Tasmanian cheese and complimentary tea and coffee throughout, along with access to the open balcony in our carriage. So now what to do tomorrow. Well, head for Queenstown anyway and find some decent walks on route.

The first carriage was the VIP car and the one we would have been in. This photo was taken on the way back from the cruise.

And wildlife