The Cove offers cliffside luxury accommodation on Tasmania's north west coast

An unexpected night of luxury. How I went from sleeping in my car to overnighting in a five-star villa near Devonport Tasmania

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What is The Cove

The Cove Tasmania, as the name implies is nestled in a cove on Tassie’s north west coast. Perched on a cliff above a stony beach, The Cove is for discerning travelers seeking a serene and picturesque escape in Tasmania.

The Cove offers a variety of accommodation options, from chalets, cabins and glamping cabins. It opened in March 2021.

My stay at The Cove goes back to June, 2022. (This story was written for my Tasmania website that remained in ‘dark’ mode during Covid. The story sat unpublished. So, while this experience is from a few years ago, The Cove is a place visitors to Tasmania should seriously consider staying at. And I have updated the story.)

Image of a few cabins on a clifftop overlooking the ocean — Cliffside location of The Cove Tasmania

From the Cradle Tasting Trail

I was in central Tasmania on the Cradle Tasting Trail pulling into the Van Diemen’s Land ice creamery (VDL) on Christmas Hills Road in Elizabeth Town. I cannot resist their ice-cream! I was enroute to the west coast, to Corinna in takayna/Tarkine, for a two night stay at the Wilderness Village. Just as I drive into the VDL carpark my phone rings. It’s the Manager of the Corinna accommodation advising the Murchison Highway (the only access into Corinna) is closed because of heavy snowfall. There is no chance I’d get to Corinna.

Images of a small container with a large serving of ice cream and a black spoon — Who can resist a Van Diemans Land ice cream?

Stranded on the Cradle Tasting Trail near Devonport, with nowhere to stay, what were my plan B options for accommodation? Most likely a random motel in the town of Devonport, or, if nothing was available at this late hour, sleeping in my hire car. Out of courtesy, I phoned the lovely Tracey Leitch, owner of Impressions Marketing Communications, because she had organised my Corinna accommodation. I wanted to let her know I couldn’t make it to Corinna.

As I’m tucking into a bowl of VDL ice-cream, looking on my phone at Devonport motel options, Tracey rings me. She’s pulled a ‘swifty’ for me. I’m jotting down an address because she’d wrangled an overnight stay at a luxe place not far from where I was: The Cove Tasmania

She’d reached out to the owners of The Cove, explained my predicament and they kindly offered me a night in one of their Chalets! (I’m beyond GRATEFUL). This was a serendipitous BONUS and my reason for using the words: “unexpected night of luxury”. I had looked into The Cove prior to this trip and had put it on my ‘wish’ list of places to stay.

Image of a building with a deck with chairs overlooking rolling hills down to the ocean — The rolling hills from the Alexander Centre lead down to the ocean The Cove Tasmania Image Jennifer Johnston

The Cove’s History

This is a family owned business. Kim and husband Bruce Robinson own the Cove (which opened in 2021.) Bruce is a fifth-generation farmer who continues working the farm on land that’s been in the family since the 1860s. (I passed him as I departed the following morning, Bruce sitting in a tractor plowing the fields, gave me a big wave.)

I arrived at The Cove late in the afternoon and discover I have the run of the place. I was the only guest. The Property Manager and Kim leave the property around 7pm.

Guests have access to the facilities including the communal area with lounges and a gourmet kitchen. I was given a quick tour. You can choose to cook something for dinner, in a kitchen which has everything a chef might need. A long wooden table with chairs to seat 14 is on the other side of the central island kitchen bench. I can imagine booking a few cabins with friends, creating many gastronomic meals in the kitchen, then sitting down with a glass of Tassie wine. The evening would pass very comfortably.

Image of a large kitchen with an island bench in the centre and a long wooden table and chairs — The communal kitchen in the Alexander Centre at The Cove Tasmania

Once dinner is over you may chill in the lounge area. Flop onto one of the many leather lounges, in front of the gas fire. Watch TV on the big screen or play games or create music, with various instruments on the shelves.

Image of a lit gas fireplace in a lounge room — Make yourself comfortable in the lounge area

Image of a small musical drum with a drum stick lying across the top — Time for some drumming? One of the many items in the lounge area of the Alexander Centre

You can also sit by the outdoors fire pit. If the place was heavily booked there are numerous choices where to “relax.”

Image of an outdoor area with a brick chimney and open fireplace and lounge chairs — An outdoor area at the Alexander Centre

Or I could go for a night time wander and try and locate the colony of penguins that come into roost each evening.

Image showing two small wooden boxes on a grassy sloping ground for wild penguins to roost in — Somewhere for the wild penguins to roost at night

Meet Kim Robinson

Before Kim departed for the evening, we sat down for a chat.

“We are a no children resort,” Kim explains. “Our target market is anyone from 20 to 80 years who appreciate luxury and styling.”

When their middle son, Kurt, suggested they should consider adding glamping the family organised glamping tents. Not long after they were erected, the tents were taken down.

“Because of our cliffside location which is very exposed we regularly experience north westerlies and it can get pretty blowy,” explains Kim. Concerned the tents may not withstand the strong westerlies, they replaced the tents with the A frames. These are called the Cheviot A Frames and there are four – each A frame is painted a colour that complements the surrounding landscape. The A frames comfortably sleep two adults. “Our Luxury A Frames have modern furnishings and a bathroom,” she explains. “They provide a warm and inviting space with star gazing skylights.”

Image of an A frame shaped cabin surrounded by landscape gardens — One of the Cheviot A-Frames The Cove Tasmania

The family considered other accommodation options. Individual cabins with a private deck were built, their Hillside Hardtop Glamping cabins. While they don’t have a bathroom, it’s a short stroll to the communal facilities at the Alexander Centre with shower rooms and toilets. The views from these cabins are spectacular.

Image of a stone table with two round stone stools in a landscaped area overlooking an ocean — The view from a Hillside Hard Top Glamping Cabins

Luxurious Cliffside Chalet

My accommodation was Cliffside one, a luxury five-star chalet with majestic views of Bass Strait below.

Image of a deck with a chair and wooden block table overlooking the ocean — Not a bad view from bed at Cliffside Chalet One The Cove Tasmania

I spy the deep bath in the generous sized bathroom (walk in shower too) and quickly establish where I will spend part of my evening. Each room has a private ensuite and balcony to take advantage of those stunning Tasmanian evenings.

Image of a large bed in a room that overlooks the ocean — View from Cliffside Chalet One The Cove Tasmania

From my chalet, I hear waves crashing on the beach below. It is time to explore. I grab a bottle of wine and a wine glass and descend the steps embedded into the grassy knoll, arriving at a flattened section with a small table and two chairs . I plonk myself on one of the chairs and pour a wine, watching the sunset colours transform the evening sky.

Exploring the Cove

Image of an outdoors wooden frame with two swings overlooking the ocean — The perfect place to relax and take in those views

Later I wander over to the communal kitchen (after trying the swing and taking a few photos). My leftovers are in one of the fridges, boxed from my late lunch at Christmas Hills Raspberry farm on the Cradle Tasting trail. My second dessert of the day.

The kitchen is spacious with every modern appliance you can think of. Home chefs could whip up some fine meals in this place. If you were staying at the Cove with friends, or just you and your partner, the kitchen has everything you need and a beautiful dining table to sit and enjoy the meal!

Because I was on my lonesome (no other guests), I had the pick of where to sit in the Alexander Lounge room, watching the flames dance in the electric fireplace. They have a 75 inch television, and multiple seating options, magazines and games. And plenty of comfy chairs too.

It was hard to move myself from the comfortable couch and sloth like feeling that came over me (fireplaces have a habit of doing that). I wonder if I can see any penguins coming in for the night. Reluctantly I leave the warm lounge and wander to the other side of the resort trying to remember where Kim suggested I might see penguins. The wind was too strong and fresh, I didn’t feel like staying out waiting for penguins (as much as I wanted to see them!)

The only creature I saw was a cheeky and rather large possum that took a liking to my toes!

Image of a possum on the deck of a cabin — The rather large possum that came to say hello and took a bite of my toe as I stood on the deck.

A warm bubble bath then sleep

The bath tub was perfect for a long soak.

Image of a white standalone bath in a bathroom — A welcoming bathtub in Cliffside One at The Cove Tasmania

From my king sized bed I gaze at the ocean below, as silver moonlight streaks cast shadows on the water. I fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

Heavenly bliss!

The next morning

I explore in my pyjamas, without concern – there are no neighbours to avoid or make comment on my attire!

Image of a woman standing wearing pyjama pants a ski jacket scarf and beanie — Dressed ready to explore the grounds at The Cove

The Butter Shed

The butter shed offers a space away from the Alexander Centre. Guests wanting a private space to stretch out, roll out a yoga matt or take a moment to themselves. It’s also the home of Horizon Spa – The Cove’s wellness centre that specializes in a range of massage treatments.

Image of a day bed in a spa room — One of the treatment rooms at the Horizon Day Spa

Grateful Jen

Kim, thank you for saving this damsel in distress and for the opportunity to experience a luxurious night at The Cove.

What is new at The Cove since 2022

The Atrium Cafe and Bar offers guests a place onsite for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Basalt Restaurant offers fine dining using the freshest local ingredients.

Accommodation Options

Villa Two Five Six is the Cove’s fully self-contained signature villa with a private courtyard with an outdoor bath, fire pot and BBQ. The indoor bath has 180 degree views of the coastline. The kitchen, dining and lounge areas are fully equipped. An easy 300 metre stroll brings you to the beach. The outdoor deck is north facing, and has days beds and lounge seats.

Cliffside Chalets

The Cove has three chalets with ensuites, private decks and spectacular views of the ocean. I stayed in Cliffside One with an indoor bath.

Image showing the outside of two wood cabins on a cliff overlooking the ocean — Cliffside Chalets at The Cove Tasmania

Cheviot A-Frames

There are four A frames, each fitted with toilets and basins, star gazing skylights and modern furnishings.

Hillside Hard Top Glamping Cabins

Nestled on a hillside overlooking the ocean, the cabins have stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. Note: there are no bathrooms with these cabins. Shared bathroom facilities are a short walk to the Alexander lounge. They have male and female showers with private shower/change area, large double bowl vanities and the female bathroom has a beauty area, which is heated all night.

Image of a small cabin with front deck and outdoor dining area — One of the Hillside Hard Top Glamping Cabins

There is a laundry for guests to use while onsite.

Image of a large building with brown walls and the words The Alexander Centre painted on the middle section — The Alexander Centre where the lounge and communal kitchen can be found.

Image of a wooden post with signs pointing in various directions with city names and distances — The distances from The Cove Tasmania

Location

The Cove is on the outskirts of Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry docks from Geelong, Victoria.

Launceston is a one hour drive from Devonport

Nearby: Cradle Mountain, is just over an hour’s drive. Stanley and the North West Coast drive, just an hour and a half away.

Table Cape Tulips, under an hour’s drive.

Sheffield – The Town of Murals, 40 minutes drive.

The Truffledore – just 30 minutes from The Cove Tasmania.

The Cove is exposed to the elements and the wind can be quite strong with the north westerlies. Pack the right clothes taking this into consideration. Note I was there in the heart of winter and it was COLD!

Image of a cliff and stony beach and ocean — Coastal vistas from The Cove Tasmania

Disclaimer

As a travel writer I was comp’d the overnight stay at The Cove. This has not influenced my review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Image of a road with trees and shrub on each side and the ground is covered in snow — There was snow the day before that closed the Murchison Highway to Corinna. This is the following morning after they had cleared the road.

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