From the Japanese art of wabi-sabi to a romantic vision of “old Hobart”, these weekend getaways offer a delicious taste of the Apple Isle.
Sabi
Binalong Bay; address supplied on booking.
This beach house, with its unexpected Japanese aesthetic, initially feels more like a mountain retreat. Credit: Lean Timms
THE LOCATION Sabi is in Binalong Bay, two hours east of Launceston, overlooking the southern end of Iarapuna/Bay of Fires.
THE PLACE An alpine-style, stone and timber cabin, Sabi looks more like a hunting lodge or mountain hut than a beach house, but it peers out onto Tasmania’s finest sands. The spacious and sparse two-bedroom dwelling is clad in dark timber and wrapped around a large, stone fireplace. There’s a cocoon-like feeling to the mezzanine master bedroom, which has a low ceiling, a copper-lined wine barrel converted into an onsen-style bath, and a hidden reading nook with daybed overlooking the living area.
Binalong Bay is a 300-metre stroll from the alpine-style cabin.Credit: Marnie Hawson
THE EXPERIENCE One of Tasmania’s most beautiful beaches, Binalong Bay, just a 300-metre walk away, seems improbable when the sun sets and beach life fades into an unshakeable feeling of being high in the mountains. Sabi’s decor has a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, with its temple-like flagstones, futon daybeds around the fireplace and collection of Japanese whisky (free to guests). The house is designed around the namesake principle of wabi-sabi – finding beauty in imperfection – which is evident in its finely chosen details, from an asymmetrical mirror and vases to the custom-crafted crockery in which no two pieces are alike.
DON’T MISS Drive north along Iarapuna/Bay of Fires to The Gardens, 15 kilometres from Binalong Bay, to find a coast stitched with white-sand beaches and lichen-smothered granite outcrops. It’s oceanfront as beautiful as any in Australia.
FROM $850 a night. Andrew Bain
Raffah House
86 High Street, Oatlands; 0409 036 877.
This cottage, showcasing its original sandstone walls, is set in the main street of Oatlands’ historic town. Credit: Bec Willox
THE LOCATION Midway between Hobart and Launceston, and about one hour’s drive from both, Oatlands is a charming, historic town featuring original Georgian sandstone buildings.
THE PLACE Locals Sophie and Nick Weeding bought their three-bedroom cottage on the town’s main street in 2017 and spent a year renovating it. A restful palette, from white to dusky blue, accentuates the original sandstone walls and rugged fireplaces. Provincial-style furnishings – such as the 10-seater wooden table in the open-plan kitchen-dining area – are from the popular antiques store across the road, The Jardin Room. So, too, are the drawers and wardrobes in the three generous bedrooms, with touches such as striking wallpaper and luxurious bed linen adding a contemporary feel. The spacious bathroom has double wash basins, a free-standing oval bath and large shower recess. Off the kitchen, a sitting room with two sofas and French doors is a snug retreat.
THE EXPERIENCE Refined but not precious, this light and streamlined cottage is the perfect spot from which to explore the town. The mood is relaxed, and children are welcome. An outdoor eating area has a barbecue, and guests can forage for seasonal vegetables and herbs in the wooden planter boxes.
DON’T MISS Head to the Callington Mill Distillery for whisky tastings, and cheese and wine at the elegantly cosy Imbibers bar, a short stroll away.
FROM $400 a night. Gabriella Coslovich
Lumière Lodge
West Hobart; address supplied on booking.
The owners were inspired by a vision of “Old Hobart” when renovating the property.Credit: Marnie Hawson
THE LOCATION Lumière Lodge stars in a tranquil, tree-lined street of lovely, period homes in village-like West Hobart. It’s within walking distance to cafes, bars, the State Cinema, local favourite Hill Street Grocer and the centre of town.
THE PLACE Tasmanian-born Kerran and Sam Langley bought this 1890s weatherboard, with iron-laced verandah, in 2015, and lived in it for three years before spending another two lovingly extending, restoring and renovating it. Inspired by a romantic vision of “old Hobart Town”, they scoured antique stores, auctions and the internet for vintage furnishings – crystal chandeliers, leather armchairs, reclaimed-wood tables, old portraits in oil – creating an old-world ambience. Listed by the National Trust, the home has three bedrooms (one in the attic, with its own claw bath) and three bathrooms.
This 1890s weatherboard is within walking distance of the town centre. Credit: Marnie Hawson
THE EXPERIENCE Step inside and you’re transported into a magical space of twilight hues – blue spruce, moss green, obsidian – with mood lighting, dramatic sprays of dried flowers, beds dressed in linen crumpled just-so, sofas plumped with cushions, and a large, light, traditional kitchen that overlooks a secluded fern garden. Breakfast on gourmet Tasmanian produce – bread from local bakery Pigeon Hole, cultured butter, leatherwood honey, sweet and spiced cherries, organic porridge – and in the evening, relax with Hobart whisky. The bathrooms are indulgently supplied with Le Labo products.
DON’T MISS Explore the neighbourhood’s popular wine bars, restaurants and cafes, including Willing Brothers and Room for A Pony.
FROM $809 a night; two-night minimum stay. Gabriella Coslovich
The Tasman
12 Murray Street, Hobart; (03) 6240 6000.
Overlooking Hobart’s waterfront, the Tasman’s 152 rooms are part of the redevelopment of former state government offices.
THE LOCATION The hotel is mere footsteps from the charms of the diminutive Tasmanian capital’s historic waterfront. A little further on is Salamanca Place, where the eponymous markets are staged each Saturday.
THE PLACE The Tasman and its 152 rooms form part of the redevelopment of former state government offices, and are around the corner from the Georgian-style Parliament House, built in 1841. The Tasman is arguably the city’s first, genuine five-star hotel. Unequivocally a sum of its posh parts, its appealing design skilfully fuses three architectural eras: an original 1840s heritage building, an art deco pile and a modern “pavilion” edifice.
THE EXPERIENCE Once you’ve gorged on the fabulous architecture at The Tasman, tuck in at Peppina, the hotel’s classy Italian restaurant run by the hotel in partnership with the prominent, energetic, Tasmanian chef Massimo Mele. Before or after your continental repast, grab a cocktail at The Tasman’s nearby Mary Mary, a snug cocktail bar (that comes complete with its own spirits library) inside what was once a section of an early-19th-century hospital.
DON’T MISS Everyone who goes to Hobart mooches off to its Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), but also consider the city’s haunting World Heritage convict sites, the Cascades Female Factory and Hobart Penitentiary, which are both within easy reach.
FROM $358 a night. Anthony Dennis
Villa Talia – Franklin
17 Heriots Rise, Franklin; 0427 901 188.
This four-hectare property features stunning views of the Huon River.
THE LOCATION A 40-minute drive from Hobart, Villa Talia – Franklin is on a sloping, four-hectare property overlooking the majestic Huon River, with Franklin village a five-minute drive away.
THE PLACE This is the second iteration of the Villa Talia brand, with its sister property, owned by George and Vivian Luo, across the river in Wattle Grove. Lyndon and Rebekah Biernoff stayed at Wattle Grove and loved it so much that they wanted their own Villa Talia – so they bought this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in October, 2021 and asked the Luos to manage it for them.
The home’s high-tech features contrast with its bucolic surrounds.
THE EXPERIENCE Villa Talia – Franklin is high-tech (automated blinds, lights and audio) and minimal in palette and design, with Tasmanian oak cabinets, white oak floor and stone features. The open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area extends onto a tiled outdoor deck with fireplace, barbecue and an infinity pool with heated spa. Bedrooms are set at either end of the house for privacy. A separate building houses a gym and large office space. Cheese and wine await your arrival, and the fridge, freezer and walk-in pantry are well-stocked. The property’s photogenic Highland cows, Molly and Holly, five blacknose sheep and a brood of heritage chickens remind you that you are, actually, in the countryside.
DON’T MISS If the weather permits, hike to the top of the glorious Hartz Mountain, 36 kilometres to the south-west.
FROM $1350 a night; two-night minimum stay. Gabriella Coslovich
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