CENTRAL TO TASMANIA'S HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
Driftwood provides quality, 4-star self-contained accommodation in the Far South of Tasmania, where you can choose to sit back and relax in recliner chairs, sip a glass of wine on the verandah overlooking the water and mountains, or take off each day to explore the activities and attractions of Tasmania's Huon Valley and the Far South.
With your base in Dover, you can go fishing, sailing, boating, diving or just stroll along the white, sandy beaches. Bushwalking is also right on your doorstop... try the Dover Coast Walk, the Duck Hole Walk, or for the more adventurous, the walk to Adamson's Peak.
There are many attractions for visitors to the Huon Valley and Far South. Some of these are outlined below. For further information please come and see us...we're always happy to help.
DOVER is a small fishing and farming town on the shores of Port Esperance in Tasmania's Huon Valley. Dover's facilities include two supermarkets, video shop, take-away food shop, bakery, hotel, pharmacy, hospital, hairdresser, petrol station, tea-gardens, and a hardware and gift shop.
The TAHUNE AIRWALK offers visitors to Tasmania’s Southern Forests the opportunity journey along the majestic Huon River and ascend to the canopy of eucalypts on the breathtaking Tahune AirWalk cantilever. Set in the Tahune Forest Reserve the 600 metre long AirWalk through the forest canopy is only one of the many ways to explore the forests of the region. The Huon Pine Track offers a 20 minute guided loop walk in which young to mature Huon Pines can be observed growing in their natural riverine rainforest environment. The AirWalk Visitor Centre Café provides an idyllic setting to sample some of Tasmania’s local produce and to purchase local wine and crafts unique to the Huon region. Entry to the Forest & Heritage Centre Geeveston is included in the Tahune AirWalk Admission fee.
FOREST AND HERITAGE CENTRE, (approx. 15 mins drive north of Dover), is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm daily. There is a small admittance fee to the centre which is the base for information on the many National Parks, State Forests and Reserves in the area and the activities and attractions that can be found while exploring them... The Hartz Mountains, Tahune Forest Reserve, Esperance Self-Drive Tours, Keogh's Creek Walk, The Big Tree, The Zig-Zag Walk, the West Creek Lookout and many more. The 'Esperance Centre' also houses the Hartz Gallery and a small craft and gift shop.
HASTINGS CAVES STATE RESERVE, (approx. 20 mins drive south of Dover). Take a guided tour through the underground caverns to see magical chambers, flowstone floors and spectacular natural decorations. The crystal clear Thermal Springs Pool is a constant 28 degrees C. and there are hot showers, BBQ facilities and a paddling pool for the little ones. A wonderful place for a picnic or BBQ lunch. The rainforest walk, near the pool, is a short walk suitable for the disabled, aged and the very young, particularly as platypus are often spotted in the creek.
HARTZ MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, to the west of Geeveston, contains spectacular terrain and is home to some very unpredictable weather. The shorter walks include those to Waratah Lookout and Keogh's Pimple. Longer walks such as those to Lake Osbourne, Hartz Peak, Lake Esperance and Hartz Lake provide excellent bushwalking and fantastic views.
IDA BAY RAILWAY, situated at Lune River, is Australia's southernmost railway. Enjoy the scenery as you meander through the bush and waterways to historic Ida Bay: Spend some time and take one of the Southport walks, or relax on the beautiful beach before taking your return trip. A picnic shelter with BBQ facilities and toilets are available at the beach end of the line.
COCKLE CREEK is a ranger station "as far south as you can drive in Australia", (approx. 30 to 40 mins. drive south of Dover). This area is of some historic significance and the launching place for the many famous walking tracks of Southern Tasmania, including the challenging South Coast Track that takes 5-9 days to Melalueca in Tasmania's rugged southwest corner. If you want to go right to the "end of Australia", the walk to South Cape Bay takes about 4 hours return through easy terrain. Good family walks include those to the bronze sculpture of the Southern Right Whale along the "Whale walk" and the walk to historic Fishers Point. On your way to, or from, Cockle Creek, stop off at Recherche Bay and walk to historic graveyards, or see D'Entrecasteaux' Watering Place.
DOVER COAST ROAD Discover some of the places along this scenic detour (an alternative route to the main highway)... Jackson's famous Daffodil Farm, windswept Roaring Beach and scenic views across the mouth of the Huon River to Bruny and Huon Islands.