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Gordon River Cruises have recently launched a new tour that allows visitors and locals a better chance to explore the true wilderness of the West Coast.
This new tour explores Kelly Basin and the lost town of Pillinger.
This once-bustling town, which, in the early 1900s was home to 25 business, three hotels, a school and 1,000 residents has today been reclaimed by the surrounding forests; its skeletal structures draped in moss and tree ferns standing in the place of streets.
The trains have long stopped running and, today, the easiest way to access this town returned to the wilderness is on board the Gordon River Cruises newest tour The Pillinger Explorer.
Offering a boutique experience, Gordon River Cruises utilised their smaller vessel, MV Sophia which will take groups of up to ten on this new excursion into the wild.
The MV Sophia departs the fishing port of Strahan Village and travels across Macquarie Harbour. From the moment you step onboard you will be taken on a Tasmanian journey of epic proportions.
Guides re-tell the history of the area, tales of convicts, piners and miners, a real story of boom and bust, the West Coast has had a colourful history thus far.
As you cruise towards Pillinger and your first stepping off point, there is plenty of scenery to enjoy from towering temperate rainforests to wide expanses of water.
A morning tea of Tasmanian produce is served up before guests disembark for the fully guided tour of the Pillinger ruins.
Arriving at the site of the former town is both eerie and peaceful, and a lesson in the transient nature of civilisation.
This once-thriving town was established in the Kelly Basin in the late 1890s by the North Mount Lyell Copper Company to supply the nearby mining town of Crotty with bricks and timber to build and run its smelters.
Back on board, as you cruise along your attention will be drawn to Reindeer Lodge, a haven for fishermen and those adventurous enough to trek through the rainforest.
Further along on the journey you will arrive at Hells Gates at the mouth of Macquarie Harbour, aptly named by convicts sent to Sarah Island as they believed they were going to hell on earth.
The last stepping-off point on the tour will be Bonnet Island, to hear tales of lighthouse keepers past, as you enjoy views of Ocean Beach and beyond.
Jumping back on board, a gourmet lunch is provided while still berthed. The Pillinger Explorer departs daily at 9.30 am and returns for 2.30. Bookings can be made online gordonrivercruises.com.au.