Dover & the Far South

Picturesquely situated on Port Esperance, this attractive town offers excellent views across the water to the islands of Faith, Hope and Charity.  You can take a boat across to Faith Island where there are a number of historic graves.

When the British arrived in 1804 they planned to use it as a penal probation station; today, the Commandant's cottage near the caravan park on Beach Road is all that remains of this early plan.  After the convict settlement the town developed as an important port, shipping Huon pine to the world, and more recently a fishing centre.

Further south, past Dover, are the awe-inspiring Hastings Caves.  Newdegate Cave is one of the world's great dolomite caves, containg vast chambers more than 40 million years old.  After touring the caves, luxuriate in the nearby Thermal Springs - wonderfully warm, clear, naturally occurring pure spring water maintained at 28 degrees year round.

Continue south past Ida Bay and Lune River to Recherche Bay, a place of whales and history, of timber cutters and fishermen.

As the road ends, a longer trail begins - from Cockle Creek (farthest south it is possible to drive in Australia), the South Coast Track threads its way down to the sea, where the waves of the Great Southern Ocean crash endlessly on the sands of South Cape Bay.  Mother Nature is at her most spectacular in this part of Tasmania, deep blue waters, brilliant white beaches, cool fresh rainforests and golden sunsets.  The quiet solitude of a remote place and a freedom connected to the natural spirit of the Far South.