Motel Strahan

The Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic is a cherished annual community event on Tasmania's West Coast, dating back to 1897. Originally established by the Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Company as a reprieve from harsh mining conditions for its workers and families, it evolved into a community-wide celebration. The Picnic, held on Australia Day, now draws locals and visitors to West Strahan Beach, offering a blend of tradition and festivity. Participants enjoy a variety of traditional games, including sack races, gumboot tossing, and horseshoe throwing, alongside modern attractions like bicycle stunt shows and children’s treasure hunts. Free fruit, sweets, and refreshments for children maintain the inclusive, family-friendly spirit of the event. Each year, the Picnic also features a citizenship ceremony and the West Coast Spirit awards, reinforcing community bonds. Organised entirely by volunteers, the event highlights the resilience and camaraderie of the West Coast community. It serves as a living link to the region’s heritage, reflecting over a century of adaptation and celebration. Despite changes in transportation and local industries, the Picnic remains a unifying tradition, celebrating the spirit of togetherness through fun, games, and shared history​​​​.

Australia’s longest-running play, The Ship That Never Was tells the dramatic and hilarious true story about the last Great Escape from Sarah Island. The play is based on a real event in 1834. The last ship built at the convict settlement in Macquarie Harbour was about to sail for the new prison at Port Arthur but was hijacked by ten convict shipwrights. So begins the story of an amazing escape, an extraordinary voyage and an intriguing twist in the tale of The Ship That Never Was. Fun and interactive family entertainment! Limited numbers and bookings are essential. Contact us on 0476 651 089 or ship@roundearth.com.au for bookings or more information. Session Times: Performed at the Richard Davey Amphitheatre in Strahan at 5.30 p.m. every day (September to May inclusive). Closed Christmas Day. Contact us for information on winter performances (June to August). The play duration is approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

A unique business on Strahan's historic waterfront showcasing the fabled and special Tasmanian Huon pine. We have spectacular, raw Huon pine pieces suitable to be made into furniture by the customer; a wide variety of worked and finished items made of Tasmania timber; and a gallery section featuring high quality artworks. It is the best smelling shop in Australia - let your nose find us. The Huon Pine Shop and Gallery is open every day. Friendly staff will be able to help you with visitor information. Previously known as Wilderness Woodworks, this business is under new management by the next generation of the Morrison Huon pining family. Many of the items are made on the premises, and the rest by craftspeople resident in Strahan and other parts of Tasmania.