A Cove with a Story: The Legacy of Risby Bros

Where history meets the harbour, and the past is never far from view.

Long before the suites were designed or the restaurant poured its first glass of wine, this cove held a different kind of life. The air was thick with the scent of Huon pine. Machinery hummed along the shoreline. Timber workers moved between sawblades and salt air.

This was once the site of the Risby Bros sawmill—a vital part of Strahan’s maritime and logging history. For decades, it stood as a symbol of industry and resilience on Tasmania’s remote West Coast. Today, while the saws have long since quieted, the stories remain.

From Timber to Tranquillity

In the early 20th century, the Risby family built a timber empire that became synonymous with quality and endurance. Their Huon pine—sustainably sourced from the region’s rivers and rainforests—was prized across the country. The Strahan mill processed this precious timber right here, on the very site where the Risby Cove Boutique Hotel now stands.

When the mill eventually closed and time softened the shoreline, what remained was more than weathered timber. There was a sense of place, of grit and grace, etched into the bones of the land.

We’ve honoured that story in name—and in spirit. In the decades that followed, a new vision emerged. New owners saw potential in the disused waterfront site and gradually, a small collection of suites and a restaurant took shape, carefully positioned along the shoreline.

Design That Echoes the Past

While the property has been recently undergoing a transformative renovation that reimagines every aspect of the guests’ experience, the legacy of the Risby Bros lives quietly within the details. Timber panelling throughout the common spaces and suites pays homage to the materials once milled on site. Stone, brass and organic textures mirror the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape.

The luxurious newly renovated suites, now warmed by cosy bio-ethanol fireplaces, offer a softer experience than the cove’s industrial past—but remain deeply rooted in place. They’re designed not just for comfort, but for connection. To land. To history. To the rhythm of the harbour just outside.

The Harbour Remembers

Even now, when the light fades and the tide rolls in, there’s something about this cove that feels unchanged. Fishermen still dock their boats at the nearby jetty. The Gordon River still winds through ancient rainforest. The sea birds still circle.

Time moves forward, but the 20th century spirit of the harbour remains.

A Place to Pause

To stay here is to experience a rare combination: the luxury of time and the depth of story. It’s in the bespoke, carefully curated textures of your suite. The tranquil harbour view from the restaurant. The stillness of the morning water.

This winter, we invite you to experience the season at its most peaceful—with 50% off a Risby Escape: a stay with generous inclusions and space to unwind by the fire or the water’s edge. Or linger a little longer with our Winter Wanderers packages—perfect for settling in and embracing the art of slow travel on Tasmania’s West Coast.

Because some places are best experienced with no rush at all.