Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill

Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill is a living museum on The Esplanade in Strahan, offering a glimpse into Tasmania's timber industry from the early 20th century. The sawmill operated commercially until the 1990s and has been preserved as a heritage site where visitors can see original machinery, including steam engines, circular saws, and a working sawbench. The site is set along Macquarie Harbour, with the mill's rustic buildings surrounded by stacks of golden Huon pine logs, a slow-growing tree endemic to Tasmania's wet forests, prized for its durability and resistance to decay. Inside, the air smells of fresh-cut pine, and you can watch demonstrations of sawing techniques that have been used for over a century. The knowledgeable guides (often former mill workers) share stories of the loggers and the challenging conditions they faced. A small museum displays photographs, tools, and artifacts that illustrate the region's logging history. The sawmill is a short walk from Strahan's town center and makes for a quick but memorable stop before or after a Gordon River cruise.

Don't miss

• Watch live demonstrations of the steam-powered sawbench cutting Huon pine
• Explore the original machinery shed with its massive circular saws and belts
• See stacks of Huon pine logs and learn why this timber is so unique (it can last for centuries)
• Browse the small museum with historical photos and logging tools
• Chat with the friendly guides who share firsthand stories of the mill's working days

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Know before you go

• Listen to the guides, they have fantastic stories about the mill's history.
• Photography is allowed; the golden wood and old machinery make great shots.
• Wear insect repellent in summer, the area near the harbour can have mosquitoes.
• The small gift shop sells Huon pine souvenirs, including small carvings and timber pieces.

A bit of history

The sawmill was established by the Morrison family in the early 1900s and operated continuously for nearly a century. Huon pine logging was a major industry in Tasmania's remote west coast, with logs floated down rivers to mills like this one.