Off the coast of Strahan, on Tasmania's west coast, Sarah Island occupies a central position in Macquarie Harbour, a vast inland bay ringed by temperate rainforest and battered by the winds of the Roaring Forties. This small island of just a few hectares was, two centuries ago, the most feared penal settlement in colonial Australie. Today listed within the Tasmanian Wilderness Heritage Area, it is visited by cruise from Strahan and retains the ruins of a penitentiary site and shipyard gradually reclaimed by vegetation.

Why visit Sarah Island

Three elements make this site unique. First, its historical significance: Sarah Island preceded Port Arthur by more than a decade in Tasmania's penal history, and its geographical isolation made it a laboratory for the harshest incarceration conditions. Next, its maritime past, with a shipyard that produced dozens of brigs and schooners from Huon pine. Finally, the natural setting: Macquarie Harbour, six times larger than Sydney Harbour, is accessible only through a narrow strait called Hells Gates, and the crossing itself is part of the experience.

Sarah Island History

Established in 1822, Sarah Island was Tasmania's first penal settlement. The British administration sent there the most difficult convicts, subjected to forced labour focused on harvesting Huon pine, a precious timber that grows only in southwestern Tasmania, and on shipbuilding. The shipyard became one of the most productive in the Southern Hemisphere before the penitentiary closed in 1833, when the administration concentrated convicts at Port Arthur, which was more accessible.

After abandonment, the island was temporarily used by piners, specialists in Huon pine harvesting who worked along the Gordon and Franklin rivers. The buildings gradually fell into ruins, engulfed by rainforest. The island was later declared a historic site and incorporated into the Tasmanian Wilderness Heritage Area.

The memory of this place remains alive in Strahan through the play The Ship That Never Was, performed nightly in the village. It recounts the sea escape of ten convicts in 1834 aboard a brig they had themselves just completed, and constitutes one of Australia's longest continuous theatrical series.

What to see on site

The visit revolves around a marked walking trail connecting the main ruins:

• The penitentiary ruins and buildings where convicts lived, with red brick foundations still clearly visible;
• Remains of the old shipyards, linked to Huon pine construction, with the locations of launch slips;
• The tannery, bakehouse and slipway, still identifiable;
• Interpretation panels that trace daily life in the penal settlement, work organisation and escape attempts.

On the nature side, vegetation is progressively reclaiming the land cleared by convicts. You'll find eucalypts, acacias, and pockets of temperate rainforest dominated by the tree fern Dicksonia antarctica. Little penguins have established burrows on the shores, and several species of seabirds frequent the island.

Practical information

The island is uninhabited and has no infrastructure (no shop, no water facilities). Visits take place as part of cruises departing from Strahan, which typically include a guided landing of around 1h30. Guides are often members of the Round Earth Company, a local company specialising in historical interpretation of the site, and their narrative is an essential part of the experience. Wear sturdy shoes, a waterproof jacket and windbreaker, as the west coast climate is changeable in all seasons.

When to visit

Sarah Island can be visited year-round, but conditions vary significantly with the seasons.

The Australian summer (December to March) remains the most stable period, with long days and more comfortable navigation on Macquarie Harbour. Early autumn (April-May) offers mild weather and fewer visitors. Winter is colder and windier, giving the site a raw atmosphere that matches its history, but some cruises may be cancelled if the sea is too rough. Spring (September-November) marks the gradual return of milder conditions, though weather remains changeable.

How to get there

Sarah Island is accessible only by water from Strahan. You must first reach the village, then board a cruise.

Reaching the island from Strahan

• By cruise: several departures per week, more frequent in high season, including the crossing of Macquarie Harbour, passage through Hells Gates and travel up the Gordon River;
• By private yacht: pleasure boaters can moor independently, subject to Hells Gates conditions.

Reaching Strahan by car

• From Queenstown: via the B24, approximately 40 minutes;
• From northern Tasmania: Murchison Highway then B27;
• From Cradle Mountain: C132 then A10 and B27;
• From Hobart: Lyell Highway via Queenstown, approximately 4h30 driving.

Roads in the west pass through areas where wildlife is very active at dusk. Avoid driving at night to reduce the risk of collisions with wallabies, wombats and possums.

What to see nearby

The region offers several natural extensions to your visit:

• Cradle Mountain National Park, accessible via the C132, to combine penal history with dramatic Tasmanian alpine landscapes;
• The village of Strahan itself, the base for cruises, with its port, sawmill and coastal walks;
• Salamanca Market in Hobart, a typical stop if you complete your loop via Tasmania's capital.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

Sarah Island naturally fits into a Tasmanian itinerary combining colonial history, national parks and wild west coast. To build your bespoke journey, consult our Australie travel suggestions.