| The World Heritage area that covers some 20 per | | | | here is likely to become a family heirloom! A tour of |
| cent of Tasmania is at it's most wild and beautiful on | | | | Morrisons Huon Pine Mill will teach you more about the |
| the island's West Coast. Here the thundering waves of | | | | product, and also about its importance to the area. The |
| the Southern Ocean and the uninhabited rocky shores | | | | mill is located next to the visitors centre in Strahan, and |
| meet each other head on, as unpredictable as the | | | | is renowned for being one of the few of its kind to still |
| rapidly changing weather of the region. As it is largely | | | | cut with a reciprocating saw mill. |
| uninhabited, a journey down the West Coast is like a | | | | The Huon forests themselves are simply beauiful, and |
| trip through an age-old landscape, through ancient | | | | well worth a drive through in your rental car. A more |
| rainforest and past steep sided gorges. Just one town | | | | thrilling way of seeing them however is to jump on the |
| exists on this coastline, a historical village called | | | | West Coast Wilderness Railway, a steam-operated |
| Strahan. Strahan is seen as holding the keys to the | | | | train that runs between Strahan and Queenstown, |
| World Heritage Area, and a visit here will unlock for | | | | which is inland. This 35 kilometre guided tour takes you |
| you sights, sounds and experiences you would never | | | | along a railway that is over 100 years old, through |
| have thought existed! | | | | rainforests that are over 2000 years old and over a |
| Three hours drive from Devonport (where the 'Spirit of | | | | mountain range that is, well, as old as the hills! Its a |
| Tasmania' docks), and four and a half hours from | | | | journey past some amazing sights and a journey into |
| Hobart, Strahan is in an isolated position on the | | | | the history of the area too. |
| northern edge of the Macquaire Harbour. This is a | | | | Another popular way of seeing the sights, this time |
| large shallow inlet that the Gordon River and the King | | | | from a water based vantage point, is to take a river |
| River empty into, and all three are the basis for much | | | | cruise up the mighty Gordon River. Its dense banks are |
| recreational activity in Strahan. On a still day the | | | | home to copious amounts of bird and wild life, and the |
| waters of the harbour create a mirror image, and boat | | | | evening times are a particularly good time to see |
| cruises down its 50 kilometre length are a pleasant | | | | these. The smooth flowing waters are also a prime |
| way to pass an afternoon. These will take you past | | | | surface for canoeists and kayakers to ply their sport, |
| the salmon farms, where the still waters are churned | | | | and if you fancy joining them then equipment is for hire |
| into a froth by 60 000 kilograms of Tasmanian Salmon! | | | | in the town. |
| Strahan has a rich history- it was initially a base for | | | | For an experience like no other you have to visit |
| businessmen seeking the Huon Pine that proliferates in | | | | Ocean Beach, a 40 kilometre long stretch of hard |
| the region. Just off shore on Sarah Island a penal | | | | sand which has the crashing Southern Ocean on one |
| colony was established, and it gained the reputation as | | | | side and tall sand dunes behind it. A walk on the beach |
| the worst colony in the country. Convicts would have | | | | really does make you feel as if you are on the edge |
| to row to shore through the notoriously dangerous | | | | of the world, especially when you consider the waves |
| entrance to the harbour known as Hells Gate, and then | | | | here have not seen land for many thousands of |
| harvest the Huon Pine before rowing back. Its convict | | | | kilometres. The beautiful sunsets seem out of this |
| past and its port heritage gives the town a sense of | | | | world, and are a fitting end to a busy day exploring the |
| character and atmosphere that most others just do | | | | wild Strahan Coast. |
| not have, and a walk down the main street, the | | | | A visit to Strahan is certainly not your usual type of |
| Esplanade, is likely to provide interesting insights into | | | | holiday. Sun baskers and surfers are not your standard |
| Strahan's history. | | | | fare here, but the beautiful environment and the rich |
| The Esplanade is also lined with numerous gift shops, | | | | history provide a different sense of enjoyment, |
| and many of the products in these are crafted from | | | | relaxation and satisfaction. Why not pick up a hirecar |
| Huon Pine harvested from the region. This wood is in | | | | and give the region a go? Thousands of others do it |
| high demand because it creates its own protective oil | | | | each year, and none have left disappointed... |
| that makes it very durable, so you anything you buy | | | | |