Take a voyage into tranquillity in Tassie’s deep Far-South
The Voyager, a new adults-only accommodation offering near the sleepy town of Dover, is the perfect place to be cocooned in warmth and luxury and forget about life for a while, writes Kirsty Eade.
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All my friends were jealous when I told them I was heading down to experience one of Tasmania’s latest luxury accommodation offerings, The Voyager, in the state’s Far South.
The experience of the house and its surrounds more than lived up to the expectations of my green-eyed friends and everything the promotional photographs promised. This place is truly beautiful – inside and out.
The Voyager comprises an immaculately renovated two-storey, adults-only, waterfront cabin located about 10 minutes south of the sleepy, waterside town of Dover, at Strathblane.
Given its location is almost as far south as you can drive in the state, with only Southport and Cockle Creek between you and the literal end of the road, this place is about as remote as you can get.
The property is located off the Narrows Rd, a short drive down a dirt road near the River Run Lodge, formerly the Far South school camp, and is completely private and secluded.
In fact you’ll be lucky if you see or hear anything bar the lapping of the water on the pebble-lined shore, the rustling of few possums and the sounds from the native birdlife such as the blue wrens, forest ravens and white-faced blue herons that might pop by for a visit from time to time.
Sitting just metres from the Esperance River, among a tall stand of gums, the house is in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful locations in the state, if not the country.
The house itself was a pure labour of love for the owners and one of them, Megan, who meticulously organised our stay while juggling her busy Melbourne weekday job, assures me that there’s little left of the original cabin except its bare bones.
Now the renovation is complete and their guests are rolling through the doors, Megan is slowly starting to appreciate all their hard work is paying off.
She tells me the timbers for the rustic doors, walls and skirting were salvaged from reclaimed jetties in Launceston and Dover.
The main open-plan lounge and dining area features the cabin’s original Tas oak floorboards but has been made comfortable with the addition of deep sofas with super soft, natural-coloured, linen coverings from the contemporary Papaya homewares range.
This area also includes an inviting day bed with snugly blanket perfect for curling up with a book or a glass of wine to take in the peaceful view.
The large rustic dining table is an original piece from an 18th century French monastery and was sourced from The Jardin Room, in Oatlands.
The large rustic dining table is an original piece from an 18th century French monastery and was sourced from The Jardin Room, in Oatlands.
The living area is also dominated by a large freestanding wood heater which is thoughtfully lit, by welcoming housekeeper Michelle on our arrival. The fireplace surround was also well stocked with an ample supply of logs to keep us toasty during our stay.
We were also greeted by some complimentary home-baked bickies, chocolates, a carafe of red wine and a plate of fresh pears.
The kitchen which is well equipped for a party of guests keen on entertaining is complemented by simple rustic styling, a honey-coloured Sassafras wooden benchtop and features a six-burner gourmet oven with gas cook top, dishwasher, Nespresso machine and French press.
And even though we’d brought plenty of reading material I must admit my heart sank the tiniest bit when we first arrived when I thought there was no evidence of a television. Not that you should need a TV when the natural surroundings are so stunning but to be honest I was also hoping for some lazy Netflix watching during our stay. But my fears were soon unfounded as I quickly spied a remote control and what appears to be a painting of a water scene in some faraway place on the living room wall is actually a cleverly disguised Smart TV which offers a range of free-to-air and Pay TV options to satisfy all your bingeing needs.
Megan tells me the carefully selected homewares such as the candlesticks, pewter cups, vintage books, oil lamps, brass binoculars and glass buoys that have been stylishly positioned around the cabin were fossicked for and picked up on many road trips from antique stores around the state. These pieces not only make it feel like a home but also add to the nautical theme that harks back to the area’s whaling industry origins. The aged brass fittings, Edison light globes and the gold ship’s light which was originally used on a Russian warship, which softly illuminate the cabin, also continues the maritime influences. As do the paintings of ship captains, seashells and seahorses, many of which are strategically placed in little recesses in the timber walls, dotted around the home.
Upstairs is equally as comfy and welcoming. My favourite spot is the master bedroom in which you can be completely cocooned in luxury and warmth. The large, cosy bed is adorned in neutral coloured, soft-textured linens, a theme consistent throughout the home, and the little reading nook/ window seat also offers another place to relax.
The master ensuite – with its Moroccan handmade, white, ceramic clay tiles, massive rainwater shower and underfloor heating – is also a luxurious addition.
But for us the piece de resistance is the large picture window on the far side of the wall that offers more dreamy river views through the tall gums. This window is one Megan tells me she had to fight to be included, as everyone else involved in the build insisted it would be way too expensive to install and really wouldn’t make that much difference to the ambience.
However, once it was in place and they saw the view and light that flooded into the space that the window allowed, everyone had to concede that she had indeed been right to put her foot down. There really is nothing better than waking up to the sun’s gentle first rays of light as it casts a magical, glistening effect on the water while making its way into the room filtered through the leaves of the illuminated gums.
Even though the interior of the home is so well done and you feel like there is no need to ever leave, the outdoor area is actually just as special. It features hand-built bluestone walls that were sourced from a local quarry, and an outdoor bath ideal for bathing under the moon and stars. And the double in-built hammock which you can snuggle up on with one of the cosy blankets from indoors and a cuppa or wine is equally as inviting.
Another feature of the outdoor space is the seating area which contains well positioned log stumps (which you can make more comfortable with the outdoor cushions conveniently located in a wooden box by the back door) centred around a firepit. This is an ideal spot to enjoy a few drinks and toast some marshmallows, while taking in the night sky full of stars and enjoying the comfort of the crackling open fire.
The Voyager is a great place for a romantic weekend getaway for a couple but would be equally as special with a group of friends who are wanting to escape the hustle bustle of life and treat themselves to a secluded, luxurious, relaxing stay.
If you do get to go, I can guarantee all your friends will be jealous too.
The author was a guest of The Voyager.
MAKE A NOTE
LOCATION: The Voyager is located at 237 Narrows Rd, Strathblane.
About 1½ hours drive from Hobart.
COST: Prices start from $600 per night, plus a $120 cleaning fee.
The cabin sleeps 8 adults and contains 1 king master bedroom and 3 queen bedrooms.
Not suitable for children.
DINING: Guests can dine at the River Run Lodge’s warm and welcoming tavern, or you can pick up supplies on the way at Huonville or Dover.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
There are kayaks available for taking out on the water and fishing rods for trying your luck off the jetty, and if the season is right you might be able to have a crayfish or oysters sourced for you from one of the local fishing boats.
If you feel like venturing further afield its only 20 minutes from Hastings Caves and the thermal pools; 30 minutes from Roaring Beach; 45 minutes to Cockle Creek, 1 hour to the Tahune Airwalk; and 1 hour to Hartz Mountains National Park.
For more information and to book go to Airbnb or phone 0466 181 999.
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