Heavenly Huon Hideaway is the perfect spot for your next getaway

Nestled on the edge of the Huon River, this idyllic haven is the ideal place to relax, unwind and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Southern Edge, writes Elise Kaine

A drone shot of the Huon River Hideaway at golden hour. Picture: Jon Jarvela photographs

Any keen traveller knows Tasmania’s unique wonders are best explored with the help of a local and the serene Huon River Hideaway offers the perfect sanctuary to explore the Southern Edge region’s hidden gems.

With breathtaking views of the tranquil, peaceful Huon River, the one-bedroom dwelling is the perfect place for a relaxing, luxurious escape. Although the property’s owner Jenny Roberts is based interstate, she spends four months a year in Tasmania and her knowledge and connections within the Huon are unmatched. To help her guests discover and explore the region she provides a wealth of resources within the home to plan out any itinerary, along with a generous supply of local comforts for cosy days in.

The property is ideally situated in the Huon Valley and would suit either a couple or solo-travellers looking to enjoy the food, wines and ciders, hikes, crafts and small villages in the picturesque region.

A view of the Huon River Hideaway’s cosy interior from the front veranda. Picture: Jon Jarvela photographs.

This accommodation offering is truly a delightful escape (there’s no UberEats) and before I’d set out I already had a list of must-visit wineries and eateries from Jenny. Most of these are owned by people with whom the host has personally had good experiences with.

I checked some out on the way, to stock up with dinner supplies, for my stay.

Jenny has a vast knowledge of the hidden delights available in the region that would impress any foodie and recommends checking out opening hours on Facebook as not every business is open everyday.

Jenny’s daughter Gilli and her husband Paul Lipscombe own a local vineyard Sailor Seeks Horse, just up the road at Cradoc. This acclaimed, small boutique winery brings Jenny and her husband back to Tasmania frequently to not only spend time with their family but also to help out where they can.

Huon River Hideaway’s dining area features stunning views from the expansive windows across to the Egg Islands and Heriots Point, south of Franklin. Picture: Jon Jarvela photographs

The list of Jenny’s must-see Huon Valley spots was inevitably too long to get through. However, after stopping in at the highly recommended Home Hill Winery’s beautiful rammed-earth building at Ranelagh, I followed the quiet, winding country road down to the Huon River Hideaway.

Arriving at the secluded accommodation, which is tucked into a private bush acreage block on the eastern side of the Huon River, I immediately felt like I was stepping into someone’s cosy welcoming home rather than an impersonal Airbnb. The kitchen was stocked with a generous array of delicious local goodies including a complimentary breakfast basket. All supplies had been thoughtfully hand-picked by Jenny and the brekkie offerings included a loaf of sourdough from Poolish & Co., the local bakery in Cygnet, and fresh eggs.

Huon River Hideaway’s cosy, welcoming bedroom which opens out to a sun-drenched deck. Picture: Jon Jarvela Photographs

Jenny has clearly worked hard to promote the Tasmanian makers and growers that she so clearly respects when selecting the supplies she leaves for guests to enjoy at the property. From locally grown walnuts, saffron and handcrafted chocolates purchased from just up the road the items offered in the property reveal just a small sample of the premium, quality produce grown in the region.

The furnishings in the interior of the property have also been meticulously and carefully selected to pay tribute to the history of the region as well as the history of the host’s family. The beautiful gleaming Tasmanian oak flooring and celery-top pine features including the beams and handmade cupboards also make the most of the area’s natural timber assets and set this property apart.

Huon River Hideaway’s beautifully appointed, well-equipped kitchen which features custom-built timber cupboards and most importantly a coffee machine. Picture: Jon Jarvela Photographs

Solo artists, writers or anyone looking for a sanctuary could find much inspiration here with many secluded spots to pick for an evening of creative solitude, notably the comfortable outdoor lounge set on the sun-drenched deck.

The outlook was truly something else, and reading through the visitor’s book and seeing the comments from guests ranging from as far as Singapore, Sydney and San Francisco as well as many from Hobart, the consensus on the view was clear – the mesmerising, picturesque river views are simply stunning. Although I was there on a beautifully sunny summer day, the comfortable house and its prime location could be enjoyed in any season.

The deck at the Huon River Hideaway is a great spot to indulge in a platter and wine sourced from the host’s daughter’s vineyard Sailor Seeks Horse. Picture: Jon Jarvela Photographs

Inside, the accommodation was so clearly more than a rental property. There has been thought put into all comforts needed for any length of stay, indicating their love and use of the property.

Jenny told me lovingly how the couple serendipitously bought the property when visiting Tasmania and how it settled on their wedding anniversary.

While I was again consumed by the view, uninterrupted from the beautiful, window-fronted open-plan accommodation, I endeavoured to raid the bookshelf and find a walk to add to my ever growing list of unmissable plans for my short trip.

The little touches thoughtfully left by the property’s host, such as binoculars and a great range of Tasmanian books, really make guests feel at home. Picture Supplied

Books have been carefully curated and range from topics including the history of Cygnet and the Huon Valley and the stories of the early fruit-picking, pioneering families to guides on the nearby walking trails as well as the local flora and fauna.

The beautiful one-bedroom haven has been carefully planned both inside and out to recognise and promote local artisan creators, and to make sure guests have a peaceful and comfortable stay.

Huon River Hideaway’s bedroom features picturesque views from its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, a generous comfy bed, as well as gleaming Tasmanian oak floors and celery top pine pillars. Picture: Jon Jarvela Photography

While the Huon River Hideaway makes for an amazing place to hunker down for a few days, if you can bear to tear yourself away from its cosy surrounds it could also serve as the perfect base for any solo traveller or couple to explore the nearby mountains, rivers and coasts.

It’s a short drive from the historic villages of Cygnet and Franklin and you could spend days exploring the history of Port Cygnet Bay.

The outlook from the Huon River Hideaway looking along the verandah to the river and Hartz Mountains. Picture: Jon Jarvela Photographs

Whether you’re a keen hiker, a birdwatcher, nature enthusiast or history buff, a getaway to the Huon will tick any box and the Huon River Hideaway is the ideal location to explore the region’s rich offerings. This idyllic, restful property is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway to escape the everyday world and I only wished I’d been able to stay longer.

The author was a guest of Huon River Hideaway

A drone shot of the Huon River Hideaway at golden hour shows just how close the property is to the peaceful, tranquil river. Picture: Jon Jarvela Photographs

MAKE A NOTE

GETTING THERE: The Huon River Hideaway, is located about a 45-minute drive south of Hobart, at 1706 Cygnet Coast Rd, Cradoc.

PRICING: The one-bedroom Huon River Hideaway is $385 per couple per night. There is a two-night minimum stay.

DINING: Huon River Hideaway is self-contained and will have breakfast necessities supplied. For other supplies, the host recommends stocking up at Salamanca Fresh, in Huonville, or Farah’s IGA, in Cygnet, and the Cygnet Larder.

For evening meals the host recommends always checking Facebook as opening hours at local eateries can vary. Recommendations for dining locally include the Porthole Cafe (which is one of the host’s favourites but only open on Friday nights); Red Velvet Lounge (which is open Friday and Saturday nights); Ashcraig Farm at Nichols Rivulet (open Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday and does takeaways); Cygnet Japanese Diner (does takeaway but is not open for dinner) and the Lost Captain Restaurant & Taphouse, in Huonville, and Bottega Crippa, which serves great Italian pasta, also in Huonville.

BOOKINGS

To book or for more information on the Huon River Hideaway go to www.huonhideaway.com or phone [phone], or search Huon River Hideaway on Airbnb