RACT’s new vessel combines luxury and sustainability to offer an immersion into the wild

Wanting to reveal this UNESCO Wilderness World Heritage Area to more people while respecting the sanctity of this remote land, RACTs Gordon River Cruises has recently launched the maiden voyage of the ‘Spirit of the Wild’, the newest vessel in their fleet of public cruises. Paying homage to local designers, builders and artisans to create the crown jewel of their fleet, Tasmanian materials were also chosen where possible making Tasmanian Timber an obvious choice.

At just under thirty-four meters long, the ‘Spirit of the Wild’ catamaran was purpose-built for exploring the delicate and peaceful waters that lie within the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The exterior of the boat features a unique tannin-like finishing to reflect the boats stunning natural surroundings. A first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, a hybrid propulsion system allows muted cruising on eco-friendly electric motors while on the Gordon River, allowing the boat and its passengers to be completely immersed in nature. 

High-end technology, low carbon footprint

With sustainability at the forefront of this project, the state of the art technology was used to create the most environmentally sensitive river-cruising experience in a vessel of this size in Australia. The smaller engines on the vessel burn less fuel, and the latest in marine technology delivers the most efficient and low-emission cruising experience available. The selection of Tasmanian Timber was again an obvious choice to support this initiative due to its sustainability credentials.

Luxe details & an immersion in the wild

Hailing from the same region of Western Tasmania, Myrtle was selectively chosen as the timber to be featured through the boats premier upper deck. Within this luxury seating area, angled leather recliners, a private viewing deck and stunning Tasmanian Myrtle finishes all encapsulate an authentic high-end Tasmanian experience. The use of Tasmanian Timber was a clear choice for naval architect Jeremy Spear from Spear Green Design.

“It was a pleasure to be able to specify Tasmanian Timber on Spirit of the Wild. It was such a natural fit. It looks incredible and exemplifies much of what ‘Spirit of the Wild’ stands for, with its immersion into the wild rivers and natural rugged bush of Southwest Tasmania.”

Just as the name ‘Spirit of the Wild’ was chosen for the vessel to reflect the west coast’s resilient and wild environment, the choice of Tasmanian Timber also encompasses these attributes.

Included in the timbers found here are some of the rarest and most sought-after timbers in the world, offering guests aboard the ‘Spirit of the Wild’ a close-up glimpse of what lies deep within the forests around them.