About Strahan
 Strahan sits at the northern end
of Macquarie Harbour on Long Bay. It is the main
harbour town on Tasmania’s west coast, and
the ideal base from which to explore the beautiful
World Heritage Areas the West Coast.
Originally settled to service as
a port for the mining settlements in the surrounding
area, Strahan soon became an important town for
the timber industry situated around Macquarie
Harbour. Many fishing fleets have also called
Strahan home, serving as an anchorage for crayfish,
abalone and shark fishing fleets.
Today Strahan is the main tourist
destination on Tasmania's west coast and it is
the gateway to the famous south west wilderness
area. It is also the base for boat trips to Sarah
Island and the lower Gordon River.
The area is also famous politically
for the fight put up by environmentalists to prevent
the damming of the Franklin River. The activities
were successful and in 1983 the Federal Government,
stopped the proposed Gordon-below-Franklin Dam
and declared the entire area, including the Aboriginal
art in Fraser Cave and the white waters of the
amazing Franklin River, a World Heritage order,
now known as the Franklin Lower Gordon Wild Rivers
National Park.
Places to visit in Strahan
Cape Sorell Lighthouse
Strahan became a major west coast port when the
silver and zinc mining fields developed at Zeehan
in the 1890s. In 1899 a lighthouse was constructed
on Cape Sorell which stands 40 metres high.
Gordon River
'To experience the magnificent beauty of the wild
Gordon and Franklin Rivers should be on everyone's
list of things to do before you die. Walk through
dense rainforest to a world that is so far removed
from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Macquarie Harbour
Macquarie Harbour is one of the world’s
largest and most scenic natural harbour's, with
spectacular views created by mirror reflections,
of the heavily timbered shores. The mountains
surrounding Macquarie harbour are famous for their
Huon Pines. The entrance to the harbour was named
Hells Gate by early convicts.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is Tasmania's longest beach measuring
approximately 35km, with massive sand dunes. Ocean
Beach lies in the path of the Roaring Forties,
and is further south than the Cape of Good Hope
and on the same latitude as the southern point
of Patagonia. The small creeks that run on to
the beach provide habitats for the elusive platypus.
Muttonbirds also nest here from October to March.
Ormiston
Located on Bay Street this house is one of the
finest examples of Federation architecture. It
was built by a successful local storekeeper, F.O.
Henry, in 1902. The gardens impressive and known
for the beautiful magnolia trees.
Sarah Island
A convict station was established on Sarah Island
14 convicts, 16 soldiers and their families in
1822. The convicts lived in an extremely harsh
environment. By 1834 the settlement on Sarah Island
was abandoned, due to poor soil and a lack of
fresh water, for the newly established penal settlement
at Port Arthur. Today only remnants of the buildings
remain.
The Strahan Post Office
and Customs Office
This lovely building, found on the Esplanade,
is great example of an early 20th century Customs
House. It is a two-storey brick building with
stucco trim, and today it is home to the National
Parks and Wildlife offices.
Getting to Strahan
Strahan is home to the main west
coast airport. From Hobart Strahan is about a
4.5 hour drive along the Lyell Highway (A 10),
or approximately 3 hours from Devonport.
Climate
Strahan has a mild, wet climate,
and is famous for wild weather. The average temperatures
in summer vary between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius,
and in winter the average range is 4 to 12 degrees.
Useful Links To Shops, Services and other things
in Strahan
If you would like to display your business here,
click here to contact us.
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