Holiday houses in Dover

Perched on a southerly point of the island of Tasmania overlooking Port Esperance, Dover is a convenient jumping off point for discovering the untouched nature of Tasmania’s far south. This peaceful fishing community has views onto the triplet islands of Faith, Hope, and Charity, and the scenic local trail to Duckhole Lake along a 19th century tramway line snakes through tea-tree swamps and myrtle trees.

The world’s first sassafras spirit was distilled here with locally foraged botanicals and pure rainwater — sample it for yourself at a local bar. Apple orchards abound, and there’s plenty of fresh produce to be sampled at farmers’ markets around town.

To get a sense of the water’s importance to Dover, rent a kayak and paddle the still waters of Port Esperance Bay, or stroll along the beach and watch fishermen haul in their day’s catch. A little further afield, you’ll find swathes of untouched wilderness. Descend into dolomite caves, bathe in thermal hot springs, trek through ancient rainforest, wander rugged coastlines, and hike up towering mountain peaks. This corner of Tasmania is truly wild.

Dover’s weather is fairly mild year-round, though humidity levels are known to fluctuate substantially with the seasons. Springtime brings the most visitors to Dover. The weather at this time of year is generally warm and sunny, with welcome coastal breezes cutting the humidity. Summer is a little chillier, though you’ll still find excellent hiking conditions at local beauty spots. Autumn gets quite humid — May is the most humid month, so bear this in mind when planning a trip — but the weather is generally warm and the town is quiet from March through May. Winter is the slowest season around here, with cooler temperatures and stronger winds.

Visit a Sassafras Distillery

Sassafras trees are indigenous to the ancient rainforests here, with roots that go back 55 million years. In Dover, a home-grown, family-run distillery has created the world’s first spirit made from the leaves of the sassafras, keeping sustainability as a key tenant. It combines the leaves with local blends of botanicals and fresh rainwater, resulting in a spirit not dissimilar to gin, and a true homage to the island’s far south terroir.

Explore the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs

Descend into another world on a guided tour of Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs. These imposing dolomite caves, with their network of tunnels, stalagmites, and stalactites, have created their own millennia-old, subterranean ecosystem. Outside, take a warming dip in the pool, naturally heated from the underground thermal springs and rich in healing minerals.

Adventure through Southwest National Park

Drive south until you reach what feels like the end of the world, and you’ll find yourself at Cockle Creek, the entrance to the Southwest National Park, part of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area. Wander across button grass plains, hike up craggy-peaked mountains and down carved gorges, kayak down rushing rivers, and walk along windswept beaches, and experience the unadulterated wild.