Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration
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Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration

4.5
·73 reviews·Strahan, Australia

Witness the traditional sawing of rare Huon Pine logs and discover its unique history and sustainable sourcing.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daily, around 3 PM

Demonstration time

CrowdMedium
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Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration

Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration

Best Time

Daily, around 3 PM

Demonstration time

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Witness the traditional sawing of rare Huon Pine logs and discover its unique history and sustainable sourcing.

4.5
(73 reviews)

"An amazing experience for all ages! Shop/gift gallery for all your wood shopping needs & budgets!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Check Demo Times Daily

Demonstrations are usually around 3 PM. Confirm daily times, especially during off-season .

💰 Affordable Gifts Available

Find a range of Huon Pine products, with some affordable options for souvenirs .

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration

Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration

Main Sawmill Area

Witness the impressive process of sawing a large Huon Pine log with informative commentary. A truly unique experience!

Huon Pine Shop & Gallery

Huon Pine Shop & Gallery

Adjacent to Sawmill

Browse beautifully crafted Huon Pine products, from small gifts to larger pieces. Perfect for souvenirs.

Small Museum of Photographs

Small Museum of Photographs

Shed out the back

Discover the history of Huon Pine logging and milling through fascinating historical photographs.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Key for Demonstrations

The daily Huon Pine Sawmill demonstration is a highlight, but it typically happens around 3 PM, coinciding with the return of Gordon River boats. Arriving a bit before ensures you don't miss this engaging, free event. Check their social media for exact times, as they can vary seasonally.Instagram

Salvaged Timber Story

Learn about the unique origin of Huon Pine – it's salvaged from dead and fallen timber from the Gordon River. This sustainable practice is a fascinating part of the sawmill's story and a key talking point during demonstrations.Instagram

Best Times

When
Daily, around 3 PM
Why
Demonstration time
Crowd
Medium
When
September (Mon-Fri)
Why
Limited winter hours
Crowd
Low
When
Summer afternoons
Why
Pleasant breeze
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

This week’s most popular question…. Where does our Huon Pine come from? Morrison’s Huon Pine Sawmill are lucky to hold 1 of 2 salvage licenses in Tasmania. This allows us to collect dead and fallen timber that floods out of the Gordon River into Macquarie Harbour. We then pay royalties on the timber that we have collected. Most of the timber we collect these days is “driftwood” which is perfect...
morrisonshuonpinesawmill
41 likes • 0 views

🎯 Check Demo Times Daily

Demonstrations are usually around 3 PM. Confirm daily times, especially during off-season.InstagramReddit

💰 Affordable Gifts Available

Find a range of Huon Pine products, with some affordable options for souvenirs.Reddit

What a fab group of visitors we had at the sawmill today! Torrential rain, crazy winds - Harbour Master ll docked beside us but it was just too dangerous to disembark. Back to the main wharf where they all wandered down (in sideways rain) to join our daily saw demonstration, only for the power to go out at that exact moment! 🫣 The fire was burning nicely with lots of silence, and than laughs among...
morrisonshuonpinesawmill
25 likes • 442 views
Hello 👋 Our opening hours this week will be as follows: 🌲Monday 30th Sept to Friday 4th Oct ~ 10am to 4pm, with our daily talk & demonstrations beginning at approximately 3pm. 🌲Saturday 5th Oct ~ 10am to 4pm, mill/shop open, NO talk & demonstration. 🌲Sunday 6th October ~ Closed. We will then return to 7 days a week! 😀
morrisonshuonpinesawmill
21 likes • 0 views

🌦️ Be Prepared for Weather

Tasmanian weather can change quickly; bring layers even on sunny days.Instagram+1

🚶 Wander In!

Look for red open flags and an open wooden gate to find the entrance.Instagram+1

It’s a slip, slop, slap kind of day in Strahan! There’s a cool-ish breeze blowing through the sawmill at the moment so it’s not a bad spot to be on a hot, summers day 🌞. To find us, look for our red open flags & wander through our little wooden gate 🚩
morrisonshuonpinesawmill
20 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Check Demo Times Daily

Demonstrations are usually around 3 PM. Confirm daily times, especially during off-season.InstagramReddit

💰 Affordable Gifts Available

Find a range of Huon Pine products, with some affordable options for souvenirs.Reddit

🌦️ Be Prepared for Weather

Tasmanian weather can change quickly; bring layers even on sunny days.Instagram+1

🚶 Wander In!

Look for red open flags and an open wooden gate to find the entrance.Instagram+1

What Travellers Say

4.5
(73 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration for its engaging and informative nature, highlighting the unique process and the friendly, knowledgeable staff. The adjacent shop offers beautifully crafted Huon Pine products, though some find prices on the higher side. It's considered a worthwhile and educational experience for all ages.

"After browsing in the Huon Pine Shop and Gallery, we came across the Huon Pine Sawmill in the building just behind the gallery. It was closed, but by looking at and over the gate, we figured it was a historic site! We visited the next morning and discovered that at about 3pm every afternoon, when the Gordon River boats return, there was a free milling demonstration. There was a small museum of photographs in a shed out the back and a small shop area with a good range of superbly crafted Huon Pine products. The demonstration involved the sawing of a very large Huon Pine log. The commentary was interesting and informative. The staff were all friendly and helpful."

Pam S

"Such a quaint seaside store! The saw mill started up & had a demonstration on the day we visited for a passing by tour. An amazing experience for all ages! Shop/gift gallery for all your wood shopping needs & budgets! Friendly family business owners, down to earth & accommodating! A great experience!"

Chelsea O'Connor

"Beautiful family owned business. Fantastic value for money timber products."

Sherrie Rodda

What People Like

Engaging demonstration
Informative commentary
Friendly staff

What People Dislike

High prices on some items

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Huon Pine Sawmill is located in Strahan, Tasmania. It's often found behind the Huon Pine Shop and Gallery. If you're in Strahan, it's usually within walking distance of the main attractions, especially near the Gordon River boat departure points.Reddit

While specific parking details aren't widely shared, Strahan is a small town, and parking is generally available along the main streets or near the waterfront. It's often best to park and walk to explore the area.Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The daily milling demonstration is often advertised as free, especially when timed with the return of Gordon River boats.Reddit It's a great value experience!

Opening hours can vary seasonally. Generally, they are open from around 10 AM to 4 PM, with demonstrations typically around 3 PM. It's highly recommended to check their social media or website for the most current hours, especially for specific dates.Instagram+1

No, booking is typically not required for the daily demonstration. It's a drop-in event, but arriving a little early is advised to get a good spot.Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You'll witness the fascinating process of a large Huon Pine log being sawn. The staff provide interesting and informative commentary about the timber and the milling process.Reddit It's an engaging experience for all ages.Reddit

Yes, the demonstration is considered an amazing experience for all ages.Reddit The visual aspect of the sawing and the informative commentary can be captivating for younger visitors.

Huon Pine is a unique, slow-growing conifer native to Tasmania. It's prized for its durability, natural oils, and beautiful grain. Much of the timber used is salvaged from dead and fallen trees in rivers, making it a sustainable resource.Instagram

Yes, there's a small museum with historical photographs of the timber industry and a shop selling a good range of Huon Pine products, from small gifts to larger crafted items.Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The sawmill itself primarily focuses on the demonstration and shop. There are no dedicated dining facilities on-site. However, Strahan has several cafes and restaurants nearby where you can grab a meal before or after your visit.Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture the impressive machinery in action during the demonstration, the unique grain of the Huon Pine products in the shop, and the historical photographs in the small museum. The rustic setting of the sawmill itself also makes for great shots.Instagram

Yes, visitors are generally welcome to take photos and videos during the demonstration. It's a great way to capture the unique experience.Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Huon Pine Sawmill Demonstration is a fantastic, engaging activity for families. The visual spectacle of a large log being sawn is captivating for children, and the informative commentary makes it an educational experience without feeling like a lesson.Reddit It's a great way to introduce kids to traditional industries and the unique natural resources of Tasmania.

Tips for families: Arrive a little before the 3 PM demonstration to secure good viewing spots. The adjacent shop offers smaller, more affordable Huon Pine items that can serve as great souvenirs for kids. Be prepared for varying weather conditions, as outdoor activities in Strahan can be unpredictable.Instagram

🎁 Souvenir Hunters

For those looking for unique, locally-made souvenirs, the Huon Pine Shop and Gallery is a must-visit. You'll find a wide array of items crafted from this distinctive Tasmanian timber, ranging from small trinkets and cutting boards to more substantial furniture pieces.Reddit The natural beauty and durability of Huon Pine make these items truly special.

Budget-friendly finds: While some larger pieces can be pricey, there are often more affordable options available, making it possible to take a piece of Huon Pine home without breaking the bank.Reddit The quality and craftsmanship are consistently praised by visitors.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Story of Huon Pine

Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) is a truly remarkable timber found only in Tasmania. Its slow growth, often taking hundreds of years to mature, results in a dense, durable wood with a distinctive, beautiful grain and a natural resistance to rot and insects due to its high oil content. This makes it highly sought after for boat building, furniture, and decorative items.

What makes the Huon Pine Sawmill's operation particularly interesting is its commitment to sustainability. Instead of harvesting living trees, they hold one of the few salvage licenses in Tasmania. This allows them to collect dead and fallen Huon Pine timber that has been washed down rivers, like the Gordon River, and ends up in Macquarie Harbour. This salvaged wood is then processed, ensuring the preservation of this unique resource for future generations.Instagram

During your visit, you'll learn about this fascinating origin story and see firsthand how this precious timber is transformed. The demonstration is not just about sawing; it's an educational insight into Tasmania's natural heritage and responsible resource management.

Experiencing the Demonstration

The daily Huon Pine Sawmill demonstration is the heart of the visitor experience. Typically held around 3 PM, it's timed to coincide with the return of the Gordon River boats, drawing a crowd eager to witness a piece of living history.Reddit The demonstration involves the powerful, yet precise, sawing of a substantial Huon Pine log, showcasing the capabilities of traditional milling equipment.

What elevates the experience is the commentary provided by the knowledgeable staff. They share insights into the properties of Huon Pine, the history of logging in the region, and the unique salvage process. This narrative transforms the mechanical action into an engaging educational session, making it accessible and interesting for visitors of all ages.Reddit

Even in challenging weather, like torrential rain and strong winds, the spirit of the demonstration shines through, as seen in one visitor's account where the show went on despite power outages.Instagram This resilience and passion for their craft are palpable, making the demonstration a memorable highlight of any trip to Strahan.

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