Scenic Strahan

Strahan Township

With COVID-19 restrictions lifting in Tasmania, the first thing I wanted to do was to get away and go exploring. I jumped on the website and looked for accommodation in Strahan. 

I had been to Strahan before, but this time it was a different experience. With our border still closed, it was so quiet with minimal tourists. COVID restrictions have impacted the quiet little town of Strahan. Most of the shops were still shut waiting for a pickup in tourists in the area. 

We stayed at Strahan Village and the image above shows the gorgeous first class view of the calm and peaceful township. The first thing we did upon arrival was go exploring, seeking out a waterfall. We didn’t have to look too hard with Hogarth Falls just on the outskirts of the township. 

Hogarth Falls

 

One of Tasmania’s top 60 short walks and it didn’t disappoint. You walk under the green tree canopy, surrounded with so many lush ferns. There is plentitude of bird life that sing their tunes, as you meander along the track. The creek water is clear for possible sightings of platypus. I love the sound of the running water you hear, getting closer and closer, enticing you. After a 10-15 minute walk we find Hogarth Falls falling from the depths above. There was a fair bit of white foam building at the base of the falls from the mere force of the water cascading. Many photographs were taken looking for the perfect image. We then turn around and head back, ready for our next adventure.

Hells Gates & Ocean Beach

We jumped in the 4WD and headed to Hells Gates. Hells Gates gets it's name as it is the entrance to one of Australia's most dangerous harbours - the Macquarie Harbour, The harbour on the rugged and wild west coast of Tasmania is just 120 metres wide with a channel entrance that is not just narrow, but is also extremely shallow. Hitting the soft sand we put the car into 4WD and set off up the beach heading towards the old lighthouse at the mouth of the harbour. We didn't get too far with the sand starting to gulp the tyres before we did a uturn and headed back. There was another lighthouse to guide the way further up the harbour. We followed it's direction and got back onto the track. There were plenty of 4WD roads around this area. We ventured to Ocean Beach but came unstuck with the soft sand once again. Luckily, after a few spins of the back wheels and a hole in the sand growing larger, we were able to shift the 4WD up a gear and off we went. We made it to Ocean Beach and went for a stroll to take in the scenery. I tried to get a picture of the sun setting but it slowly slipped away from view hiding behind a cloud.

Night View

The nightime view from our balcony where the township of Strahan basked in the soft glow of the street and dock lights. A fishermans boat drifted in with it's spotlight spotting the way home. 

Henty Dunes

Time for a good calf and lung work out, so what better than climbing a massive steep, white bathed sand dune. With each step you took you at Henty Dunes you would slide back to nearly your starting point making it a tireless walk to the pinnacle. Definitely an accomplishment making it to the top to see the whole landscape covered in soft sand with a distant memory of a quad bike tyre track roaming the place. The fun begins when you head back down the dune, slipping and sliding gracefully, until you hit ground level. I have brought my girls here when they were younger and they used cardboard to slide their way down the dune. Great fun! 

Strahan was our base for a West Coast exploration. We did a day trip to Queenstown and on our way home explored Zeehan and Trial Harbour. If you are after a place to get away from the stress of everyday life, I highly recommend the little scenic township of Strahan.