TASPort & river
Strahan
The west coast’s way out to sea.
1880Port town founded
WHAT STARTED IT
Macquarie Harbour gave the west coast a port for timber and mineral exports. Strahan grew as the landing place and shipping centre for industries operating inland.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Rail links connected the harbour to the mining districts. As mineral transport changed, its port role shrank and the town increasingly turned towards visitors and its surrounding wilderness.
TURNING POINTS
1880Strahan is founded as a port for west-coast mining and timber.
1899The full railway link from Queenstown to Strahan opens.
1982The surrounding Franklin–Gordon Wild Rivers area became part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, strengthening Strahan’s role as its western gateway.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A tourism and fishing town, known for Gordon River cruises and the West Coast Wilderness Railway. The harbour that once moved freight now draws visitors.