Strahan
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Strahan
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Cruising the region
Strahan is the only town accessible by sea on the West Coast of Tasmania. It is a relatively small settlement, based heavily on tourism and fishing. Tourism focuses on the huge Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River that flows into it. There is both an off shore fishing industry and a large fish farm industry based within Macquarie Harbour.
To access Strahan, it is necessary to enter Macquarie Harbour via the well named Hells Gates and then negotiate miles of channels through sandy shoals, all this after sailing around 100nm on one of the worst lee shores in the world.
Strahan offers all the basic facilities required by a cruising sailor - fuel, water, food and repair facilities if required. There is good anchorage close to the town and, as a tourist based town, visitors are always welcome.
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
- Chart Source
- Chart No
- Chart No
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Radio Hobart is accessible by HF radio only. VHF is out of range.
- Local boats & seaplanes use VHF Ch 14 for all communications and announcements. Its worth monitoring this channel, especially on entering and leaving Risby Cove, to avoid conflicting with the 30 metre long very fast tourist catamarans and the tourist seaplanes that land in the Cove.
Local Weather
Local weather conditions?
Sources for Weather forecasts:
- There are no local sources of forecasts.
- Coast Radio Hobart broadcasts West Coast forecasts 3 times daily.
See Macquarie Harbour for details of the approach from the sea.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- No Marina
- It may be possible to use a fishing boat berth on a short term basis. All berths are privately owned, so it would be necessary to ask around the waterfront to see if a berth is free. The local Tasports officer may be able to offer advice and assistance.
Anchorages
- Risby Cove is immediately in front of the town centre. Holding appears good in thick mud. It is exposed to the south west, which is the direction of the normal sea breeze.
The RYCT guide warns that sections of the bottom may be foul and it is desirable to bouy your anchor. There are mooring around the northern and eastern fringes of the Cove. Seaplanes land in the Cove, a fast jet boat operates (at speed) from the top end of the bay, 2 large tourist catamarans berth on the wharf and fishing boats are based in the port. Choose your anchoring spot to avoid creating a problem for these local operations.
There are numerous derelict vessels around the foreshore in advanced stages of decay. Be wary of this and the possibility that some of this wreckage extends onto the Harbour floor.
- Mill Cove is suggested as an alternative if Risby Cove is unsuitable.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
- There is a very large slipway on the Strahan waterfront. While this is primarily a fishing boat facility, it would undoubtedly handle a large yacht if this became necessary.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- Diesel is available from the 24 hr credit card operated facility on the wharf. This is near where the seaplanes are based, inshore of the berth of the charter yacht, Stormbreaker. Be aware that this facility is used frequently by fishing boats, both for fuel and as an unloading facility, so grab your fuel and move on.
Petrol can be obtained from a service station a short walk from the waterfront.
- Water
- Water is available on the wharf, especially from the area near the fishing boat berths. There is a tap on the fuel wharf.
- Electricity
- Available on the wharf, but you would need to arrange to use one of the private berths in the owners absence.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
- The Visitors Information Centre at the southern end of the waterfront provides a lot of information about the local area.
- Morrisons Mill
- "The Ship that Never Was" - a long running play that humourously tells the story of the escape of ten convicts from Sarah Island and the legal way they escaped the death penalty when they were recaptured (after sailing to Chile!).
- While there are numerous tours by boat or float plane around the Harbour, the whole point of visiting the area with your own boat is to access the scenery under your own power.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- IGA supermarket is a 5 minute walk uphill from the waterfront. It is very well stocked.
A Pharmacy is in the same complex.
Eateries
- Hamers Hotel
- Variety of other small eateries on the waterfront
Internet/WiFi
Available?
Laundry
- Laundromat is in the Strahan Village complex, just north of Hamers Hotel.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
There are general bins around the waterfront. There is a large Tasports bin in the vicinity of the fuel wharf.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Bus service runs to Queenstown, Hobart and other parts of the state.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
- Trevor Norton runs Strahan Yacht Charters, which includes the large charter yacht, Stormbreaker. Trevor has at least 20 years experience on Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. He has prepared detailed charts of both and these are for sale at his shop on the waterfront. These are an exceptionally good investment for anyone cruising this area.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
- The RYCT Tasmanian Anchorage Guide is essential reading for this area.
- Trevor Norton's charts of Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River are a very useful supplement for the otherwise very sparse official charts.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- Pedro February 2014
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Names: Pedro |
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