Day 9 Strahan and Gordon river - no ride day

We had booked a when we were in Albury for us all to do the Gordon River cruise. It left a 8.30 and we were on the wharf at 8.15. It was in walking distance 10 mins from our accommodation it cost us $96.50 each but we all agreed that it was worth it. The trip took us out to the entrance to Macquarie harbour a place called Hell's Gates. It was a very narrow entry. The wind was howling in from the southern ocean so on the way out you could hardly stand on the top deck outside. On the way back with the wind it was like a gently breeze. Got some great shots on Joel leaning into the wind on the top deck his body at about a 60 degree angle to the deck.
The commentary had some stories of the horror of this entry. It could take 9 days to go to Hobart with the wind and up to 11weeks to get back. The early settlers built a break water by dumping rocks into the ocean from a rail line they built on top as they went. It would have been about 500 metres long. You can still see the tracks. From there we headed back to the Gordon river past the salmon and trout farms that produce an amazing amount of fish. Fingerlings grow to 10kg in 12-18 months. As we entered the world heritage area the boat slowed to 4knots. The rainforest and again the contrast of water to trees in such rugged country was amazing. It is sad that the commentary highlight the great work of men to preserve it with no acknowledgement of the great God that created it. We got off at the furtherest point for a walk through the rainforest on a boardwalk. It was good to get walk in amongst it. The trip included lunch which was plentiful and very nice. After lunch we stopped a Sarah Island. A forerunner to Port Arthur. It only operated for 12 years and became the most productive ship yard in the colonies. So of course the government shut it down. It seems some things don't change. The presenters told the story very well. I really enjoyed this part of the trip.
We arrived back about 2.30pm watched the local timber mill demonstration and went home for a nanna nap. We had make your own mini pizzas for tea, watch a movie from the free collection on site and went to bed. Another good day full of stories to tell.