On the edge of Macquarie Harbour, where rainforest meets water and time seems to slow, Risby Cove has quietly reemerged as one of Tasmania’s most compelling boutique stays.
Long admired for its serene waterfront setting in Strahan, the property has undergone a multi million dollar transformation that elevates it into a design led retreat while remaining deeply connected to the raw beauty of the West Coast.
Built in 1999, Risby Cove now steps confidently into a new era, offering a refined yet grounded guest experience shaped by nature, wellness and Tasmanian craft.
Set beside the UNESCO listed Wilderness World Heritage Area, the reimagined hotel captures the spirit of its surroundings rather than competing with them.
Twelve newly restored suites have been meticulously curated, each featuring Tasmanian artworks, rare local timbers, eco fireplaces and private decks overlooking harbour or rainforest. Guests can choose from suites with cedar hot tubs, private infrared saunas or a cinematic gold class style room that nods to the building’s former life as a theatre.
Tasmanian owner Jacinta Young describes her first visit to Risby Cove as a moment of unexpected clarity.
“ I arrived exhausted and overwhelmed. One morning I sat on the deck with a cup of tea and watched the sun rise over Macquarie Harbour. As the light changed and the birds began to call, something shifted. The anxiety eased and I felt a deep sense of calm and connection to this place.”
When the property later came onto the market, Young felt compelled to become its custodian. With her two teenage sons, she began reimagining Risby Cove not simply as accommodation, but as a sanctuary of tranquillity and reconnection.
The wild, refined
At the heart of Risby Cove’s evolution is a commitment to meaningful luxury. This is not excess for its own sake, but a slower and more thoughtful approach to travel, one that encourages rest, reflection and a genuine sense of place.
Each suite features custom Tasmanian timber joinery, hand selected furnishings and original artworks by respected local artists. Floor to ceiling double glazed windows frame sweeping views of rainforest, harbour and sky, while generous decks and courtyards invite the landscape into every stay.
Nature meets nurture
Designed for comfort year round, the suites balance indulgence with sustainability. Freestanding statement baths and outdoor cedar hot tubs invite long restorative soaks, while infrared saunas in select rooms encourage stillness and pause. Bioethanol fireplaces cast a soft glow on cooler evenings, complemented by king sized beds and bespoke artisan lighting.
Whether enjoying a glass of Tasmanian pinot beneath the stars or waking to mist drifting across the harbour, every element has been considered to foster deep relaxation.
Risby’s Restaurant returns with renewed depth
Risby Cove’s award winning restaurant remains one of Strahan’s most celebrated dining destinations, now reintroduced with greater refinement and a stronger sense of story. Open for dinner with bookings essential, the menu showcases Tasmania’s finest seasonal produce in dishes inspired by land, sea and local heritage.
The dining room is designed as an extension of its setting. Expansive windows frame the shifting moods of Macquarie Harbour, while a deep green interior palette heightens the drama of the surrounding rainforest. Warm fluted timber, brass detailing and softly buoy inspired lighting create intimacy without distraction.
Design details quietly honour the site’s past, including a Huon pine bar top salvaged from Strahan’s original jetty and Birdseye Huon pine features referencing the former Risby Brothers’ Mill. Custom Tasmanian oak tables, fire finished and sealed by hand, anchor the space as tactile works of functional art that echo themes of industry, destruction, resilience and renewal.
Rooted in place
More than a visual transformation, Risby Cove’s renewal reflects a deepening relationship with Tasmania’s West Coast. Subtle design cues, thoughtful in room details and a strong emphasis on local materials all speak to the region’s history, flora and culture.
What remains unchanged is the essence of the place. Risby Cove is still shaped by nature, grounded in creativity and dedicated to offering guests a meaningful escape, where wilderness, comfort and quiet luxury exist in balance.
