The Gordon River is the tamer cousin of the Franklin River, but is unbeaten when it comes to showcasing Tasmania’s wildlife and thriving fauna. A tour of the river is best done aboard a luxury cruise where buffet spreads are arranged onboard and can be enjoyed as you take in the endless green vista. The catamarans on rent can often be seen dotting the rivers, their shining white hulls visible above the tinted waters. As you sail downstream, it would seem as though a veil is falling away from the raw, untouched grandeur of the forest. Craggy faces can be made out of the wrinkled and cracked bark of the ancient Huon pine, 2000 years of history trapped within the many layers of its core. The Gordon runs through more than just the cool temperate rainforests that dominate the National Park, flowing out towards the wide Macquarie Harbor, before finally joining the Southern Ocean through Hells Gates.

Along the way, sites of cultural and historical significance stand out from the wilderness, such as the ruins of the penal fortress within Sarah Island. Probe the guides and they will tell you stories of ruthless criminals, broken soldiers and others who have washed up on Tasmania’s shores. Before the cruise winds out into the Harbor, take a long look around you and don’t forget to capture the image of rustic pines and twisting white clouds drifting past the unmoving surface of the river. This mirage of another world is sure to remain imprinted both in your memory and in the roll of a camera.