A 4.5-star country farmhouse serving up old-fashioned hospitality in Tassie’s far south. 

There are few places that make you feel like you’re staying with a friend. From a brekkie that could tide some of us over till dusk, to meeting the animals, Ashdowns of Dover is like a window into rural Tassie life. But it’s not all fluffy sheep and cups of tea. Owners Gary and Lorraine Ashdown topped the country in the Hosted Accommodation category of the 2019 Australian Tourism Awards.

They know how to take care of guests. Just getting to Ashdowns casts a spell of calm over the traveller. A relaxed 70-minute drive from Hobart weaves through the scenic Huon Valley to the seaside township of Dover. It’s as if time slows when you reach the far south. With striking Adamsons Peak as its backdrop, the town’s offshore islands include Faith, Hope and Charity. 
Dover invites a gentler pace; perhaps there will be a moment to find out about those island names. 

On arrival at Ashdowns, there is a sense you’re pulling up to a family home. That’s because it is the Ashdowns’ residence. They bought the traditional farmhouse back in 2010 and spent the following four years thoughtfully restoring it to a guest house with three ensuite rooms. 

While Gary is serving up a hearty brekkie of fresh local fruits, home-baked goods, preserves, local butcher goodies and eggs from their hens, ask how he met Lorraine. It’s a cracking tale of young love! Lorraine won enough cash on TV’s former hit show, Sale of the Century, to pursue her childhood dream of an African safari. Her expedition leader would become her husband, proposing atop Mount Kilimanjaro. 

After a day of exploring (the Ashdown’s have itineraries just for you), head down to the creek at the bottom of their five acres. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the resident platypus. If you’re even luckier, Gary will have popped a bottle of your favourite down in the rustic waterside cabin. Wander back up to the roaring firepit to enjoy the comforting warmth and the incredible night sky away from city lights. 

Nothing is too much for your host. Your only task is to settle in. Now that you’re on Dover time, take a moment to look up – the far south night sky is a sparkling treat.

www.ashdownsofdover.com.au
0417 746 437 | [email protected]
Open 24/7, check-in from 2.00pm