STRAHAN

After a long and challenging five-hour drive from Mt Field through winding roads, icy patches and heavy frost, we finally arrived in the beautiful harbour town of Strahan on the shores of historic Macquarie Harbour. It was a relief to settle into our accommodation, which overlooked the harbour and provided stunning views from our room.

One of the highlights of our stay was the Gordon River Cruise on the Spirit of the Wild, which I had booked well in advance. Crossing Macquarie Harbour through the infamous Hells Gates, where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean, we learnt about Tasmania's salmon and trout farming before entering the tranquil Gordon River.

The Gordon River is famous for its dark, tea-coloured water, stained by natural tannins released from centuries of decaying button grass, tea tree and other native vegetation throughout the surrounding wilderness. Rather than making the water dirty, these tannins create an extraordinary natural mirror, producing almost perfect reflections of the ancient rainforest that lines the riverbanks. Combined with the soft winter light, it created a dream setting for photography, and I simply couldn't stop reaching for my camera as every bend in the river revealed another breathtaking scene. Cruising silently under electric power only enhanced the serenity of this pristine World Heritage wilderness.

Our cruise included a stop at Heritage Landing, where elevated boardwalks meander through pristine World Heritage rainforest beneath towering Huon pines, myrtle and sassafras.

Another fascinating stop was Sarah Island, Australia's first penal settlement. Now reclaimed by rainforest, it's difficult to imagine the harsh conditions once endured by convicts who described it as "hell on earth." Our guided tour, led by a wonderfully entertaining actress, brought the island's dark history to life with captivating stories that were both informative and memorable.

Back in Strahan, we rounded off the day by seeing The Ship That Never Was, Australia's longest-running play. This dramatic and hilarious production tells the true story of the theft of the last ship built on Sarah Island in 1834 by ten convict shipwrights determined to escape their brutal existence. The 90-minute performance was an absolute delight, combining exceptional acting, clever humour, fascinating historical storytelling, an ingenious minimalist set and plenty of audience participation. It's easy to see why this production has been entertaining visitors for decades. We absolutely loved it and it was the perfect way to end our stay.