A brief history of Risby Cove
Artwork from 1889 of the Risby sawmilling branch.
Risby Cove was named after Charles Wallace Risby, younger son of the Risby timber merchant dynasty, who established a sawmilling branch around the northern side of the shallow inlet in 1889. Encompassing the north-eastern stretch of Long Bay, Risby Cove lies at the head of the vast Macquarie Harbour which, as the West Coast’s only protected deepwater port, facilitated nearly all transport to and from the area during the mining epoch of the eighteenth century well into the halcyon pining era of last century.
Prior to the development of the West Coast’s pining industry, timber from Tasmania had earned a reputation for poor seasoning and inconsistent quality and so was rejected by exporters. The mines offered timber merchants a new major market. With the minerals boom in full spate by 1889, Charles Risby established the sawmilling branch in Strahan, so the company might be better situated to bid for the various timber supply contracts on offer from both the various mines around the region and the support towns such as Zeehan where businesses and houses were being built to facilitate the mine’s employees and their families.
As the timber industry grew to meet the needs of the community, Strahan became one of the busiest ports in the state. One of Risby’s early contracts included supplying Huon pine for the extension of the Strahan Wharf. When the wharf was rebuilt in 2001 some of the original cross-heads milled by the Risby Bros were salvaged and, despite over one hundred years of exposure to saltwater and shipping fuel, are now featured in the benchtops of Risby Cove’s restaurant and gallery - such is the resilient beauty of Huon pine.
With a range of such quality building timber being abundant on the West Coast together with the entrance to the district of expert sawmillers such as John Ware, who managed the Risby Cove mill, the international reputation of Tasmania’s timbers rapidly improved. By the turn of the century, Risby Bros had secured contracts supplying pylons to major seaports in Britain and Scotland. In Africa the Imperial Military Railway was being built through the Transvaal with timber from the West Coast of Tasmania! In 1900, one month after launching, their vessel “Lourah” was wrecked at Port Davey. Less than 12 months later the Risby Cove depot was razed by fire after a large stockpile caught alight. During the repair, the business occupied the neighboring Union Steamship Company Building (now restored as the Cove Gallery). This disaster preceded a spate of hard luck for the Risby brothers but the company soldiered on till 1915 when mining went into a world recession.
Strahan Wharf 1890 built from timber supplied by Risby Bros.
From 1931, the Union Steamship Company workshop and wharf area were leased to the Grining brothers, local sawmillers and ‘Piners, who operated the facility as a mill and transport depot and later to Billy Woods for boat building and repairs. In 1950 Claude Morrison used the building as a sawmill until his death in 1965. In 1970 Ronald (Tut) Ludbey took over the lease and used the shed for workshop and storage. Ludbey sold the lease to Heritage Craft woods in 1998 and was primarily going to be used as a depot for timber salvage. In late 1998 the Company decided the site would make a better tourist facility and set about restoring and developing the site to its present condition. The area still bears the deteriorating relics of a hard-fought past. These old boilers at the mouth of the creek were used to power the Risby Sawmill. Even at the end of their life circular plates called “shoes” were cut out. These were placed at the tow-end of the log to assist the horses pull the logs out of the forests.
Risby’s more recent history
Having slipped into disrepair over the decades, the original sawmill site was purchased by new owners, Heritage Craftwood in 2000. The sawmill building which is heritage listed was lovingly restored and retains many timber features, some showing the carved signatures of its workers from early last century. Full of character, the sawmill building now houses Risby Cove’s Reception.
Guest rooms were built to wrap around the reinstated private marina and a restaurant and corporate facilities were also incorporated. Four suites were built less than a stone’s throw from Macquarie Harbour’s edge, and these deluxe rooms offer guests uninterrupted water views and mesmerising sunsets which are everchanging with the weather.
In 2015, three spacious studio-style rooms were added, completing the Risby Cove Boutique Hotel and Restaurant you see today.
In late 2023, Risby Cove was sold to Allure Tasmania, a wholly Tasmanian-owned company. Plans are currently being finalized for major renovations.