The Cape House: soak up the Huon Valley at Dover’s most exclusive getaway
“It would have to be one of the best getaways in the Huon – a beautifully restored farm house at Dover, surrounded by amazing nature. Oh, and don’t forget your togs”
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IT might seem strange but, in the middle of winter on a three-day getaway south of Hobart, the most used items of clothing was swimming gear. Dover doesn’t inspire images of sunny beaches and lounging around in your togs but, while most Tasmanian holiday makers were heading to warmer climes like the Gold Coast, who knew that abundant opportunities for a dip were a mere 80-minute drive south of the state’s capital.
Our destination is The Cape House – a grand residence on a small peninsula just east of the township of Dover.
The beautifully restored three-bedroom farmhouse looks a little weird on Google Maps because it is bang in the middle of a paddock surrounded on all sides by bush. But, when you pass through a big red gate and crawl your way a kilometre or so along a narrow drive through the trees, the house emerges on top of a hill overlooking the water and it all begins to make sense. The cleared area around the house means you get nice views south and east to the end of Bruny Island. To the west stands the impressive form of Adamsons Peak.
Immediately you feel as though you’re in your own private reserve. There is an air of calmness the minute you emerge from the car.
The Federation-style weatherboard homestead is warm and inviting – a classy mix of modern and rustic. Polished floorboards and pine-lined ceilings and some exposed brickwork combine well with an open-plan dining, living and kitchen area and three-double bedrooms (one with ensuite) and clean, modern bathrooms.
There is a slow-combustion wood fire and numerous panel heaters for warmth and an abundance of double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light.
An expansive deck on two sides offers lots of outdoor living options. Initially, a covered spa bath at one end of the deck, fails to impress. The weather is cool and damp and the prospect of getting your kit off for a dip isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. Let’s just say the idea grew on us as the getaway progressed. But first there was an area of bush to explore.
Five walks and about 8km of trails have been established in the surrounding forest and a handy booklet explains the tracks, their features and estimated walk times. There are signposts along the way explaining points of interest such as eagle nests, plant species, birds and animals common to the area and local landmarks.
There is a remarkable variety of landscape with sections of rocky coastlines, dry forests and even sections of buttongrass and wetlands. Some of the tracks have picnic tables.
It is clear that the abundant wildlife on the property is a valued asset with several warning signs on the driveway including one that states “Animals have right of way”. In fact one area has been fenced off and contains orphaned animals that have been released by carers back into the wild.
After dark, dozens of wallabies emerge from the bush to graze. Possums and wombats skirt around edges of clearings and we even spot a bandicoot or two.
Birds are constant visitors at The Cape House – scarlet robins come and perch on the balcony deck, blue wrens chitter in the bushes and currawongs strut about. On one walk we are treated to a white-bellied sea eagle gliding in circles above. After dark, boobooks call across the bush and at one stage a masked owl silently swooped in and landed on a balcony post.
Dover is a handy base to explore the Huon Valley. The Tahune Airwalk, Hastings Caves and Hartz Mountain are an easy drive away and there are numerous day walks on offer.
We opt for Duckhole Lake, a 45min drive southwest of Dover and an easy 1.5 hour return amble alongside a creek through regrowth forest to a small lake, which is actually a flooded sinkhole. Manferns and impressive trees line the way and birds noisily track our progress.
We take a break at the lake to soak in the stillness and watch tadpoles feeding in the shallows. After lunch, we return to explore The Cape House and despite the cool weather, the spa bath beckons.
It feels a little incongruous to slip into such an artificial feature as a hot tub when surrounded by nature, but such thoughts evaporate as the luxurious warmth and massaging bubbles take over. A cold beer in hand also helps. The spa had been switched on before arrival so the tub is immediately ready. It feels decadent as we waste a couple of hours until the light fades and stars emerge.
We switch off the bath for several minutes and take in the peaceful noises of the surrounding bush. Frogs in the dam fire up and birds settle in for the night.
The following day we head out to Hastings Caves thermal pool. We arrive about lunchtime and take advantage of the onsite barbecues for a meal. Cheeky currawongs work in tandem to try and steal some food. As we shoo one away, others swoop in behind, hoping to get lucky. It’s a fun game and the birds are obviously well practised and not easily deterred. Eventually we scoff down sausages in bread under the gaze of dozens of bright yellow-and-black eyes.
The easy 20min walk through the forest follows lunch. It’s a pleasant stroll – mostly on boardwalk – and you can stop to dip your hand in to compare the fresh water creek and thermal spring water.
We reminisce about the swimming pool, which 20 years ago featured a pebble bottom and seemed more authentic. But now it is sealed and much cleaner. It looks like any other but the water is heated to 28C by the natural springs. We take a dip and enjoy the contrast of warm water and cool winter air.
Our final night at The Cape House gives us time to reflect on the special experience of our location and even manage another dip in the spa.
The charm of your location is that you are based in the middle of a nature reserve. It is an oasis away from the worries of the world yet with all the modern luxuries you want tucked away in a private, special part of Tassie.
An 11am checkout allows time for a lazy start to the day and we return to Hobart via galleries and cafe coffee at Geeveston before lunch at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed just out of Huonville.
It’s an ideal way to finish a delightful short break.
The author was a guest of The Cape House.
THE CAPE HOUSE,
BLUBBERHEAD RD, DOVER
Getting there: 80-minute drive from Hobart. Follow the road to Dover and turn left at the first service station.
Self-catered fully equipped short stay with Wi-Fi, TV, equipped kitchen, BBQ and laundry facilities. Three rooms each with a kingsize bed, and two modern bathrooms.
Cost: Stays are a minimum of two nights. Prices start from $1130 for a couple up to $1730 for six people for two nights. No children under 12.
To do: Easy driving distance to Hastings Caves, Tahune Airwalk, Hartz Mountains and Duck Hole Lake. Grounds surrounding the homestead include 8km of easy walking trails with access to a pebbly beach and rocky coastline.
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