Risby Cove, Strahan

Location

Risby Cove sits on the edge of Macquarie Harbour in Strahan, a remote coastal village on Tasmania’s rugged west coast. Surrounded by ancient rainforest and just minutes from the UNESCO-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, it’s the perfect launchpad for wilderness cruises, seaplane adventures, and immersive Tasmanian experiences. Once the site of the bustling Risby Bros sawmill which played a vital part in driving Tasmania’s early timber industry, today the boutique hotel stands as a respectful nod to that legacy. The original timber wharf remains, weathered and beautiful, a rare architectural trace of the town’s industrial past.

Accommodation

Each suite at Risby Cove is thoughtfully designed to reflect the rugged beauty outside, with an emphasis on quiet comfort, natural textures, and local craftsmanship. The Cove Pavilions offer floor-to-ceiling windows with views across the water; Rainforest Suites look out onto the adjacent rainforest, indulge in quiet evenings in the cedar hot tub listening to the sounds of the forest. Expect bespoke furnishings, local art and plush bedding across all suites, as well as interiors that subtly nod to the site’s history as a former sawmill.

Dining

The award-winning restaurant is a standout, drawing in both guests and locals with a refined take on west coast fare. The seasonal menu celebrates Tasmania’s world-class produce - think just-caught seafood, vibrant summer salads, succulent chicken and Vietnamese-style pork belly. Pair your meal with a local pinot or sparkling and settle in for sunset views across the cove.

Facilities

Guests at Risby Cove enjoy complimentary bicycles, making it easy to explore Strahan at their own pace. Beyond the property, a curated selection of world-class experiences—arranged by staff who know the region intimately—awaits. Glide through ancient rainforest on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, wander the glistening shores of the spectacular Ocean Beach, drift down the Gordon River on a wilderness cruise, or take to the skies in a seaplane over raw, untouched terrain. Evenings are best spent by the crackling waterfront firepit, under a canopy of stars.