Strahan – for many this name evokes a place with the true spirit of independence – of 19th century piners and miners, and 20th century protesters who stopped the damming of the wild Franklin River. Strahan is the major harbour town on Tasmania’s west coast, and the place to go if you want to explore the wild and beautiful World Heritage Area. It has a permanent population of about 900 and sits on the harbour’s northern edge. From Strahan you can take a cruise across the 50 kilometre (31 mile) length of Macquarie Harbour and along the wide Gordon River. The West Coast Wilderness Railway takes you across a mountain range to Queenstown.