I had already been awed by the rural surroundings of Luna Lodge, and the eye-catching luxury eco dome that I was going to be calling home for the next two nights. And now I found myself searching the walls for a secret door in my medieval-themed abode, adding an escape room inspired twist to my farmstay getaway.

Working out the approximate location of the secret room was simple enough, based on the dome’s open floor plan. But, even once I identified what I thought was the door, I still needed to work out how to open it. Which wasn’t as simple as it might sound. Because owner Tom Coughlin, an escape room enthusiast, put a lot of thought into building this custom dome and has not made the challenge easy.

I won’t give away the solution – guests are asked not to share details of the secret door or the room hidden behind it so it remains a surprise for future guests – but I’ll admit it was a riddle

I couldn’t solve, so I resorted to peeking at the solution, which is printed on a piece of paper, tucked away in a small treasure chest beside the four-poster kingsize bed.

Clearly my powers of escape are not up to scratch but fortunately that doesn’t matter because, while the puzzle-solving attempt was a fun introductory activity, the rest of my stay is all about rest and relaxation.

Set on 16ha of mixed pasture and bushland at Wattle Hill, on the outskirts of Sorell, Luna Lodge is an easy 30-minute drive from Hobart’s CBD. But once you arrive at the property, where two luxury geodesic domes – complete with their own hand-carved outdoor stone baths – are nestled among the rolling hills, where shaggy Highland cows and playful pygmy goats graze in the distance, it feels like you could be hours away from anywhere.

Tom and his partner Valeriya moved here from NSW five years ago, looking for a lifestyle change, and have created a thriving boutique farm stay business that draws tourists from the US, Asia and Europe but is equally popular with Tasmanians wanting a relaxing weekend escape.

Tom built the Tranquility Dome first, a spacious, light-filled offering, which brings together white subway tiles, reclaimed timber finishes, a wood fire, a timber deck and a cool yet eclectic mix of decor.

Next he turned his attention to the Serenity Dome, a passion project inspired by his love of all-things medieval. “It’s a childhood dream come true,’’ he explains. “What kid doesn’t want their own castle when they grow up?’’

To enter this dome, you walk past two imposing gargoyles and across a little drawbridge to get to the heavy timber door, which latches with a sliding metal bolt.

Inside, the sandstone walls, rich timbers, medieval sconces and chandeliers add to the olde world feel, while still offering a modern, luxurious, light-filled space. Two ornate armchairs are more like thrones for the residing king or queen of the castle, and of course there’s that quirky secret doorway I mentioned earlier.

Both domes feature plenty of mood lighting, with optional fairy lights to brighten the domes under the dark night sky, as well as plenty of pot plants for greenery, a wealth of interesting fixtures and fittings, many of which have been crafted by Tom using salvaged items from around the property, and of course those Instagram-worthy outdoor baths which each weigh 1100kg, were each carved from a single piece of granite, and were lowered into position using a crane.

Luna Lodge would be a great base for exploring Richmond and the wineries of the Coal River Valley, or for tourists venturing to the Tasman Peninsula.

But the domes are fully self-contained so guests can arrive armed with groceries – or they can pre-order breakfast hampers, barbecue packs or cheese platters from Tom if required.

I didn’t leave once during my stay, preferring to settle in and enjoy the serenity, leaving my husband and kids at home to indulge in a much-needed solo getaway.

Luna Lodge is also a haven for couples, who flock here for romantic getaways, or to celebrate anniversaries or birthdays – it’s also a popular spot for small weddings.

And while rest and relaxation are high on the list for most guests, a highlight of any stay at Luna Lodge is undoubtedly Tom’s farm tour.

He’s like the pied-piper of goats and the charismatic creatures go trotting after their master as he offers me and two other guests – a couple from Hobart – an afternoon tour of the property.

A few chickens join in the festivities as well. We got an opportunity to meet, and groom, the property’s Scottish Highland cows, while Freya the farm dog also gave us a warm welcome.

Tom is clearly very passionate about the property and his enthusiasm really shines through as we hand feed the goats – who have names like Barnabus, Giuseppe and Vincent van Goat – and he talks about how much he loves his new life on the land in Tasmania.

Hours can easily be spent at Luna Lodge enjoying cups of tea in the garden, curled up in a sunny spot inside with a book, listening to the calls of the resident cockatoos and kookaburras, or relaxing in the warmth of an outdoor bath, watching the sky turn pink as the sun sets, before the twinkling stars appear overhead.

I slept with the curtains open both nights, keen to enjoy the view for the entirety of my stay.

And I actually woke briefly on the second night, and found myself marvelling at how amazingly bright the stars were.

Any time I prepare for an overnight stay that resembles glamping, I always pack Ugg boots, a fluffy blanket, a puffer jacket and a beanie as minimum requirement. But I need not have bothered in this instance, as the domes are insulated, with temperature-controlled heating ensuring I was perfectly cosy for the duration of my stay.

These domes are more like luxury hotel rooms, complete with flexible walls and windows and a hefty dose of whimsy and natural beauty. And I feel truly lucky to have stayed in such a calming and captivating place – even if I did fail at solving the mystery of the hidden door!

The author was a guest of Luna Lodge

MAKE A NOTE

Luna Lodge is located at Wattle Hill, on the outskirts of Sorell, and is a 30-minute drive from Hobart. There are two luxury domes with outdoor baths – Tranquility Dome and Serenity Dome – each designed to sleep two adults (or an adult and a child aged 15+). A cot can be provided for an infant (under 18 months) in Tranquility Dome. Farm tours are available for guests, but separate tours can also be booked by non-guests, and cost $100 for up to four people for a one-hour tour. Prices from $300 per night (minimum two-night stay) with discounts available for longer stays. lunalodge.com.au