|
|
|
|
|
Nestled on the banks of Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, Strahan is surrounded by majestic mountains on one side and the Gordon River on the other. Originally developed as a port of access for the mining settlements in the region, the town was known as Long Bay or Regatta Point until 1877, when it was formally named after the colony’s Governor, Sir George Cumine Strahan. Timber and other cargo was also regularly shipped from this location and it was also a key passenger terminal as well.
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area around Macquarie Harbour was home to the Toogee Aboriginal people of south-west Tasmania. Macquarie Harbour is immediately south of the town and is sheltered from the treacherous Southern Ocean by a set of heads known as Hell's Gates. A name given by convicts who were sent to the area in the early 1800s.
Fishing, and pine timber felling form part of the economy in the region. Tourism is another key industry. Within reach of World Heritage wilderness, there's plenty of natural beauty to be experienced. There's a number of cruises available in the area, the West Coast Wilderness Railway, wildlife spotting, sand tobogganing and more.
| Preview: | Description: |
 |
Town Centre: Glimpse of Long Bay and town centre at Strahan, 2008. Image © Jamie Scuglia |
 |
Strahan: View of the town from Water Tower Hill Lookout, 2008. Image © Jamie Scuglia |
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census QuickStats
Last updated: 01 Dec 2019 19:51
This site © Paul Rands. All rights reserved. Some portions © (copyright) by their respective and credited owners. Permission must be obtained before using any images from this site. For details, please email by clicking here.