Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Accommodation’ Category

Watchhouse Cottage: luxury accommodation in the small township of Hadspen, about 12kms from Launceston in the north of Tasmania.  If you’re not particularly keen on reading gushing endorsements, you need to look away now.  To describe this place, I need to haul out every possible superlative!  Special, awesome, brilliant, fabulous… shall I go on?

Watchhouse Cottage, part of the Red Feather Inn Complex in Hadspen Tasmania

Watchhouse Cottage: Red Feather Inn, Hadspen

To be honest, there’s several stories I need to tell about the weekend.  Watch this space for details of…

• the convict-built, sandstone coaching inn
• the hosts, Ian and Tanya White and owner, Lydia Nettlefold
• the schedule of cooking classes
• the talented photographer (and fellow guest) Richard Cowling
• the shared table, seasonal dining experience

There’s also some stories from said shared-table dining experience that I won’t be sharing!  Suffice to say that all the guests had a fabulous, fun evening.  What I would like to share with you first, is our time at Watchhouse Cottage.

Two or three bedrooms make up the Watchhouse Cottage self-contained accommodation

Self-Contained, Luxury Accommodation

The self-contained accommodation is part of the expansive Red Feather complex, found between the cooking school and a tiny, former jail building.  The two-bedroom Watchhouse Cottage has its own private garden and can be expanded to three-bedrooms with the inclusion of another stand-alone room to the side.  Each bedroom has a bathroom, making it the perfect choice for couples travelling together.

Luxury accommodation with special touches from an avid, well-travelled antiques collector

This is the sort of place that makes you feel really comfortable.  And I’m not just referring to the expected inclusions of luxury, boutique accommodation.  Fluffy white bath robes are very nice, that’s true.  But Watchhouse Cottage has been generously decorated with some of the stunning artworks and antiques owned by proprietor Lydia Nettlefold.  You get the distinct sense you’ve been invited into someone’s home, rather than a hotel.

It's a sign! Watchhouse Cottage has interesting things to discover in every room

Capturing the Essence of Watchhouse Cottage

Usually, if I take enough photos, one or two of them manage to capture how I’d like to portray something.  They help to show a place exactly how it was when I was there in person.  But over the weekend, I found myself wondering if any words or photos could do the Watchouse Cottage justice.  So I’ve gone to the other extreme, and I’ve combined lots of photos into a slideshow called Watchhouse Cottage.

Watch the video and you might appreciate why I’m so enamoured.  But again, in all honesty, you need to see this place for yourself to completely understand.

The master bedroom (with ensuite) of Watchhouse Cottage is simply stunning

Usually, I’m the sort of person that tries to maximise the experiences covered in a day.  Drive somewhere, unpack the bags, head out to explore the region.  That’s me!  But the next time I stay at Watchhouse Cottage (or any of the other gorgeous suites at Red Feather Inn)… I’ll be planning on leaving the plans at home.  This cosy escape has relax and unwind written all over it.

Tania and Gavin Horne were guests of Red Feather Inn.  There are more
photos of Watchhouse Cottage on the Red Feather Inn Facebook page.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Red Feather Inn, Hadspen Tasmania…

Lake St Clair National Park should be on the list of every Tasmanian tourist and is a firm favourite of mine.  When taking a trip from Queenstown or Hobart, it is easily accessed from the Lyell Highway close to Derwent Bridge.

A must-see for every Tasmanian tourist: Lake St Clair National Park (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Lake St Clair National Park & the Wilderness Hotel

by Roger Findlay

For a first time tourist, parts of the Lyell Highway can be quite a test.  This road cannot be likened to the Pacific, Hume or Calder highways of the mainland.  In most parts, the road is single lane in each direction and I don’t feel comfortable travelling at speeds over 90km/hour.

Sometimes the regular travellers become impatient with the tourist; they want to travel on or over the speed limit and look for every opportunity to overtake.  Don’t be pressured.  Ignore the rear view mirror if you can.  Concentrate on the road ahead and arrive safely.

Nelson Falls Nature Trail about four kilometres west of Victoria Pass

And don’t let this put you off.  The spectacular scenery is well worth it.  It’s 256km from Hobart to Queenstown and 170km to Derwent Bridge.  There is so much to see along the way.  If you’re travelling south from Queenstown, your first stop should be the Nelson Falls and nature trail then Donaghys Lookout.  Consider an overnight stay so that you can appreciate Lake St Clair National Park and the unique Wall in the Wilderness without rushing.

The view from Donaghy's Lookout between Queenstown and Hobart, Tasmania

The Wall in the Wilderness, Derwent Bridge, Tasmania

Lake St Clair National Park Pass

You will need a pass to enter Lake St Clair National Park and these are available at the Visitor Centre, where there is also a café and a variety of interesting displays.  Maps are available for the series of long and short walks.

The Lake St Clair National Park has good facilities for the Tasmanian tourist (Photo by Dan Fellow)

For the short walks, it is advisable that you wear sturdy, comfortable footwear and carry waterproof clothing to cope with the frequent wet weather.  In the winter months, you will most likely encounter falls of snow.  The experienced walker will know the equipment required for the longer walk.

Well-prepared: Jeanette Findlay at Lake St Clair National Park

Wilderness Hotel, Derwent Bridge

If you don’t fancy camping in the national park, there are a few options close by.  Several years ago, we chose to stay at the Wilderness Hotel in Derwent Bridge.  The building is quite spectacular from the outside and even more so when you enter.  I think it was built as a Government provisions store but I stand to be corrected by readers.

Giant timber posts and beams of Titanic proportion are the main feature of the large bar and restaurant area but the best thing is the huge fireplace that takes a log the size of almost half a tree!  We met the live-in woodcutter who was quite happy receiving board, keep and beer in return.

A roaring open fire at the Wilderness Hotel, Derwent Bridge, Tasmania

Dormitory accommodation is popular with those finishing the Overland Trek.  A bus also passes by the Wilderness Hotel to take them back to their cars at Cradle Mountain.  We had a small standard room with shared facilities that were fine.  It suited our needs for the one night stay, where we were lucky to experience one of the best nights ever.  The pub food was great and so was the company.

Making New Friends in Tasmania!

People must see my back pocket to know that I’m loaded!  Our four new friends were no exception.  These lovely ladies were Melbourne teachers who had just completed the Overland.  They sat around the blazing fire like exhausted drowned rats.  The display of blistered feet ate at my heart and I suddenly became their Dutch Uncle by shouting drinks all round.  I had fallen for “Stripes”.  She could mix it with the best and didn’t look out of place playing pool in her striped thermals.

Discover the Lake St Clair National Park from the Wilderness Hotel, Derwent Bridge

The next morning I went to pay my bill and was shocked to see that the drinks were more than the accommodation.  This Dutch Uncle, feeling sorry for the poorly paid teachers, had shouted them drinks for the entire night!  Jeanette often reminds me of my stupid generosity.  I remind myself that I must return to Lake St Clair National Park and the Wilderness Hotel and do it all again.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: one for the tourist highlight reel

Roger Findlay spends all his holidays in Tasmania, then writes about the
experience for Think Tasmania. If you’d like Roger to visit you in the name of
research (so we can publish information about your business), please contact us.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania…

In a recent article, I raised the issue of overpriced holiday accommodation being the cause of dwindling tourist numbers for Tasmania.  Lakeview Cottage falls outside of this category.  The convict-built sandstone cottage with a modern extension can be found on the edge of Oatlands and it is excellent value for money.  In 2011 we paid $110 a night for two adults and for this we had the run of the house, most outbuildings and grounds.

Lakeview Cottage is in Oatlands, part of the Heritage Highway region of Tasmania

Lakeview Cottage: Excellent Place to Stay in Oatlands

by Roger Findlay

On arrival, we collected the key from the Heritage Highway Visitor Centre adjacent to the Callington Mill.  The staff at the Visitor Centre are very friendly and helpful, possessing customer service skills that so many lack.

A feature of Oatlands, the Callington Mill, Heritage Highway Visitor Centre

After a two minute drive we arrived at the entrance to the grounds of what appeared to be a kind of Tasmanian history museum.  The vast array of outbuildings and farm implements were in character with the sandstone cottage.  It’s only when you go around the back that you see a modern extension that forms the family room, dining area and kitchen.

The convict build sandstone cottage has a modern extension at the rear

Before we had entered the cottage, a lady arrived to make sure we were comfortable and that the fire was blazing.  She came each morning to check we had milk and firewood!

A steady supply of firewood to keep Lakeview Cottage cosy and warm

Modern Comforts in a Heritage Home

When Jeanette first sighted the modern kitchen I knew I had made the right choice.  The impressive stainless steel curved island bench top and separate cook-top/range was more than adequate for my girl.  In-floor heating and double glazing ensures that the lounge and dining area is comfortable on the cold, frosty mornings that Oatlands regularly receives.

The outbuildings of Lakeview Cottage are like a collection from a museum

The original sandstone cottage has one double and two single bedrooms but if you include the double in the sleep-out and four singles in the stable master’s quarters, Lakeview Cottage has the capacity for ten!

Experience: Convict-Built Sandstone Cottage

Sleeping in a sandstone bedroom is quite an experience.  I had to stoop to pass through the doors and use a torch for the nightly toilet ritual.  A visit to this bathroom is an experience in itself as the renovation has tastefully combined the use of sandstone with Colorbond linings.

Lake Dulverton can be seen from the garden and a ten minute walk will take you to the path around the lake.  It takes about the same time to get onto the main street of Oatlands where there is more than enough to keep you occupied for a couple of days.

The main street of Oatlands, only a 10 minute walk from Lakeview Cottage

Touring Tasmania from the Heritage Highway

Oatlands makes an ideal base for touring the region.  Hobart is only an hour away but Ross and Campbell Town are even closer.  It’s even handy for day trips to Launceston in the north and the coastal town of Orford, along a back road, to the east coast.

For reasons of privacy, I have deliberately avoided including photos inside the cottage but there are images on the Lakeview Cottage page on the Heritage Highway Tasmania website.  When you’re next considering Oatlands, why not consider convict-built sandstone accommodation… Lakeview Cottage?  You’ll be in for a treat.

Roger Findlay spends all his holidays in Tasmania, then writes about the
experience for Think Tasmania. If you’d like Roger to visit you in the name of
research (so we can publish information about your business), please contact us.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Lakeview Cottage, Heritage Highway Tasmania…

Freycinet Sanctuary in Pictures

by Dan Fellow

I stayed at Coles Bay over the long weekend at Freycinet Sanctuary.  The units are in a great location on the foreshore.  It was a brilliant weekend and I got some of the best shots I’ve ever done there:  lots of images from around the region of things to do and see, along with some of the wildlife.  I was pleased to get some good Sea Eagle shots too (my Holy Grail as they are hard to capture!). ~ Dan

Freycinet Sanctuary, east coast accommodation at Coles Bay, Tasmania

Sea Eagle: Freycinet Sanctuary at Coles Bay Tasmania is surrounded by local wildlife

We’ve made a slideshow for our YouTube Channel of the images Dan captured on his weekend staying at Freycinet Sanctuary.  It certainly is a wonderful collection of photos, and it highlights the many things to do and see around Coles Bay on the east coast of Tasmania.  Enjoy!

Coles Bay: Accommodation on the East Coast

If you’re wondering about the accommodation, Dan took some photos there too.  The description comes from the Freycinet Sanctuary website, and I quote…

Freycinet Sanctuary is situated on the spectacular waterfront of Coles Bay, offering fully self-contained accommodation overlooking Oyster Bay and capturing the majestic Hazards beyond.

Freycinet Sanctuary offers guests a spectacular waterfront view over The Hazards

Freycinet Sanctuary consists of 4 fully self-contained units and 1 fully self-contained house for up to 18 people in total. There are two 1-bedroom units which sleep two people each, two 2-bedroom units which sleep four to five people each; and a house which sleeps 6 people. Additional sleeping arrangements can be made by request. All accommodation includes kitchen and laundry facilities, TV and Video/DVD.

Self-contained, waterfront accommodation on the east coast of Tasmania

The large front verandahs allow generous views across the water to Freycinet National Park and a rear verandahs enable you to capture the afternoon sun and enjoy a quiet glass of wine or have a barbeque amidst your own bush sanctuary of Oyster Bay pines. In winter time you can be assured you will need not be cold as heating is electric, with floor heating in kitchen and bathroom in some units. All beds have electric blankets.

All the beds at Freycinet Sanctuary have electric blankets for winter comfort

Freycinet Sanctuary is simply THE place to rejuvenate and restore your inner wellness.

Freycinet Sanctuary provides a place to relax and enjoy the views and serenity

You can find more information or make a booking for your own east coast weekend away at the Freycinet Sanctuary website.

To see more work by Dan Fellow follow Tasmania Photos on Facebook.
You can also purchase Desktop Tasmania, a multimedia CD
with a stunning collection of Tasmanian photos for $19-95.
If you’d like Dan to visit you, please contact Think Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Freycinet Sanctuary, Coles Bay Tasmania…

Middleton Memories

by Lorraine McNeair

We needed a break, and as my daughter, husband and puppy dog were coming with me, we needed a pet-friendly place to stay.  After some intensive web-wandering we found an abode at Middleton, which is on the edge of the water in the Huon Valley/Channel region.  What an idyllic place for a quiet, relaxing spell.  Only the sound of the gulls, and the whisper of the water as it ebbed and flowed.

Beautiful views from waterfront accommodation in Middleton, Tasmania

The serenity! Easy to enjoy the peaceful, idyllic surrounds at Middleton

Middleton: Much to Offer

Middleton is a quiet rural town with lots of views of the sea and the lovely green fields that only the Huon can provide.  We were situated at the end of a quiet gravel road and could sit outside and gaze across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel at Bruny Island, another place we have stayed (but that’s another story!).

Scenes at sunset over the gorgeous D'Entrecasteaux Channel from Middleton

One day we were delighted with the antics of a pod of dolphins as they leaped and played in the sparkling waters.  Another day, when it rained, we were treated to the sight of wooded hills wreathed in mist, and that’s when we played cards and other games. We must have enjoyed our stay because we returned several months later for another visit, and we are already looking forward to our next visit to Middleton.

Who wouldn't want to return to the Huon Valley for more peaceful relaxation?

Lorraine McNeair is a volunteer with the Latrobe Information Centre.
She is a writer, photographer and artist, and is passionate about
sharing all the interesting things she knows about Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Middleton Tasmania…

Coastal Town of Penguin

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

The pretty coastal town of Penguin on Tasmania’s north west coast is located 137kms from Launceston; 17kms east of Burnie and 31kms west of Devonport.  It has a population of around 5,500 and it acquired the name from the fairy penguins, which live around its coastline.  Penguin is nestled in a very scenic spot right beside the beautiful waters of Bass Strait with the impressive Dial Range sitting behind the town towards the south.

The foreshore of the coastal town of Penguin, including the Big One!

Eating and Staying in Penguin

Penguin is a popular tourist destination with a number of excellent cafes and restaurants.  It’s well known by surrounding locals as the place to eat out on a weekend.  There are great places to have a meal like Wild Café Restaurant, Renaessance, The Groovy Penguin, Shady Grove Cafe and Casablanca at the Surf Lifesaving Club.  There’s also a really nice bakery right near the beach.

The range of accommodation options for such a small town is surprising, with two hotels, a caravan park, B&B’s and holiday apartments.  The coastal town of Penguin still retains that laid back, small town feel… wonderful when you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or visiting for the day.  While wandering around the shops of Penguin if you need a perfect gift or something special for yourself, call into Nest in Main Street.  This is a splendid shop that stocks a very nice range of local artisan merchandise.

Things to Do in Penguin

There are lots of things to do in Penguin.  Why not check out the penguins that visit each evening between November and March.  Have your photo taken with the 3.15 metre Big Penguin in the beachfront park.  It’s apparently the largest Penguin in the world.  And while you’re walking down Main Street have a look at the penguin garbage bins along the way.  A much nicer alternative to regular ones!

The Uniting Church, the Bakery bin and the Big Penguin

Admire Penguin Uniting Church and St. Stephens Anglican Church, both old churches in Main Street.  There’s the replica Dutch windmill in Hiscutt Park, which was presented to the people of Penguin to commemorate the Dutch settlers of the area and the Dutch explorers who were the first Europeans to discover Tasmania.

Just west of the Uniting Church is Johnsons Beach Reef.  It’s a popular place at low tide for exploring when the reef is exposed.

Shopping at the Penguin Sunday Markets

The Penguin Sunday Markets are very popular, with more than 200 stalls.  They are Tasmania’s largest undercover markets.  There’s a lot to see at the markets with stalls ranging from food, antiques and collectables, books, art and craft.

Shopping for antiques and collectables in the coastal town of Penguin, Tasmania

Penguin Sunday Markets, on the north west coast of Tasmania, one of the state's best markets

There’s a great lolly shop, with a large assortment of all types of lollies.  And we can’t forget the Tasmanian woodwork, jewellery, gift-ware, fruit and veggies, clothing and live music.  There’s always so much to see at the Penguin Sunday Markets.

The lolly shop! A highlight of every coastal town, Penguin included

Bush-Walking in Penguin

If you’re the energetic sort there are some great reserve walks just behind Penguin in the Dial Range.  Walks range from 30 mins to 2 hours that cater to all fitness levels, with wonderful scenery along the way.  Call into the Penguin Tourist Information Centre in Main Street while you’re in town to get all the info on Penguin and surrounds, or phone them on (03) 64371421.

The deep blue seas of Bass Strait make the drive to Penguin a memorable one

A great way to get to the coastal town of Penguin with terrific views across Bass Strait, is to take the coast road from Ulverstone or via Sulphur Creek from Burnie.  This is such a pretty drive and well worth the diversion from the Bass Highway.

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
about the ups and downs of her Good Life
and occasional forays delving into the lessons of the past.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Coastal Town of Penguin, Tasmania…

Naracoopa Cottages: Meet the Hosts

by Roger Findlay

When Jeanette and I stayed at the Naracoopa Cottages (King Island) in 2009 we experienced exceptional hospitality from our hosts John and Rhonda.  For this reason I contacted the couple to ask them how they do it and a bit about themselves.  I hope you enjoy what I’ve written from their extensive notes and I thank them for giving me the opportunity.

John and Rhonda: a Love Story!

John’s brother, Bert, works at the hospital on King Island and so does Rhonda.  About eleven years ago, Melbourne based John decided he needed a sea change and asked his brother if he could find him a date!  As in every romance, John met Rhonda they fell in love and married not long after.

Introducing Rhonda and John, owners of Naracoopa Cottages on King Island

I observed their love for each other.  Every morning John opens the front gate for Rhonda as she leaves for work.  He keeps the home fires burning and in the evening he opens the gate and greets her as she returns.

Naracoopa Cottages: a New Lease on Life

It was a wrench for John to leave a good job in Melbourne, his son and his dog (Mojo), but it was something he had to do.  Initially John worked a variety of jobs and lived at Rhonda’s house in Currie, but he was keen to move elsewhere.  One day they were driving along the Esplanade in Naracoopa.  They were aware that the Naracoopa Cottages had been on the market for years and the owner had recently lost her husband.  Noticing how run-down the buildings were, John sensed the time was right to make an offer.  The offer was accepted and the refurbishing began.

John devoted all his time to the repair and restoration of the buildings and the garden.  In his spare time, he looked for ways of increasing business.  He taught himself how to use a computer; he designed a website and learned the tricks to getting his business on the first page of Google.

All this time, Rhonda kept going in and out to the hospital job and John opened and closed the gate with Mojo, not far from his heel.  Love Is!

Former faithful companion at Naracoopa Cottages, John's beloved "Mojo"

John and Rhonda Meet Charlie!

One day, Rhonda had the brilliant idea of decorating the front lawn with a boat and jetty.  To her surprise, John and his son set about the project by acquiring an old Aurora Energy power pole for a slab of beer.  Abalone fisherman, Robert Jordan, had a leaky boat that couldn’t be fixed and then along came Charlie!

John bought Charlie on eBay.  She was the most attractive mannequin he could find.  She arrived by King Island Airlines and she turned plenty of heads as John drove his naked passenger up and down the main drag of Currie doing the macho thing:  blockies!  King Island is a small place and news travels fast.  The phone began to ring as Rhonda received reports of her husband’s new lady friend.

Charlie (now dressed as a man) provides some interest at Naracoopa Cottages

Charlie now sits on the jetty next to the boat on the lawn.  But John decided to dress her as a man to deter the local young bucks who seem to be interested in anything in a skirt!

Over to You John…

One of the great things about running the Naracoopa Cottages is the amount of really nice people that cross our paths.  We try to be as friendly and helpful as possible to our guests but are also aware and very mindful of the fine line between being friendly and invading their space.

Last year we won two awards (showing off now!):

• Winner Westpac Business Excellence Awards for Tourism 2011
• Winner Westpac Business Excellence Awards for Customer Service 2011.

John & Rhonda: proud of their award-winning Naracoopa Cottages

Naracoopa Cottages are also Number One for King Island with Trip Advisor reviews.

Rhonda and I also do our bit as volunteer members of the Naracoopa Progress Association.  We keep the foreshore areas clean and tidy, procure and erect playground equipment, foreshore seating, signage etc.

King Island Birds and Wildlife

We are striving towards being self-sustaining with a healthy orchard and vegetable plot, but are forever having problems with the wildlife versus our garden: 1600 people; 600,000 wallabies, innumerable possums…  Oh well, I guess we share!  The wildlife is so abundant.

I also became quite interested in birds because of the variety of bird-life on our property to the extent of developing a website on King Island birds.  There is an interesting article about saving the whales beached at Naracoopa a few years ago.

John & Rhonda Meet Julia Gillard

The prime minister even came here last July.  It was about 8am on a Saturday morning.  It was about the carbon tax issue:  she inspected our solar and wind power installations.  She must have been up fairly early to be here at 8am, considering the time it takes to fly here.  And to cover her face with make-up!

Julia Gillard visited Naracoopa Cottages to inspect energy-saving measures

I have another photo of her and I and it looks like we’re coming out of the pub in Currie!  I sent it to friends and family with the caption ‘Jules and I on a pub crawl’.  In real life she comes across as a genuine and nice person.

With over 600,000 wallabies on the island, you can now understand
why John has to open and close the gate to Naracoopa Cottages!
Or is it to keep the young ladies away from Charlie?  ~ Roger

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Naracoopa Cottages, King Island Tasmania…