Most of the property was run down apple orchards.

Their original intention was to get the apple venture up and going again.

With no background in farming they learned as they went, benefiting from the advice of helpful locals – who they now realise may have had a few laughs at their expense.

After considerable toil they discovered selling apples was not the right path for them.

“If you can’t go big or have something really niche or exciting, it’s really hard,” Matthew reflects.

So, what was the answer? Tourism, of course.

Like many Huon Valley farms Matthew and Jolanda’s property was home to a picturesque barn.

After their commercial farming efforts, the couple embarked on the major project to turn this piece of faming history into tourist accommodation.

They spent eight years renovating the 1930s barn, living in it as they went, and rented out the main house to visitors.

The result of this ambitious and at times stressful exercise is an exceptional self-contained retreat.

The Halls did most of the work themselves, which is why the Barn feels so unique and personal.

“I’m proud of it,” Matthew says.

The four bedroom, two bathroom retreat sleeps nine, so it can accommodate two families of four, extended families or small groups.

A beautiful main bedroom is separate from the rest with a walk in wardrobe and ensuite.

The remaining three bedrooms are at the other side of the house with their own main bathroom and walk-in waterfall shower.

But the highlight is the huge open-plan living space.

Retaining the high barn roof and exposed beams, the main area features large dining table made from a reclaimed door, a cosy sitting area with a woodheater and a well-appointed kitchen.

The deck overlooks an orchard, where guests can pick apples when in season.

Guests can also collect fresh eggs from the chicken coop, and pick berries and dig for potatoes when available.

The Halls have put a lot of thought into catering for children, with practical touches like kid-proof cups and dinnerware, books, board games, Wi-Fi and DVDs.

There’s an enclosed yard with play equipment and a fire pit – marshmallows are provided.

On day one, guests are provided with breakfast supplies and the pantry is well stocked with staples so you only need fresh ingredients to cook a great meal.

On the first afternoon Matthew and Jolanda take guests on a feeding tour of the farm.

The stations are set up to allow small children to feed the animals themselves.

Our two children enjoyed patting the highland cows, hand feeding the goats and feeding the alpacas from buckets.

On subsequent days guests can feed the animals themselves.

Matthew and Jolanda explain how they removed many of the orchards to make way for farm animals.

The goats have been key to restoring the farm’s environment, cleaning up weeds and a blackberry clogged creek.

The property is now dominated by healthy rolling pastures.

One side of the farm is livestock-free and visitors are welcome to roam these paddocks.

We enjoyed flying a kite on a blustery afternoon.

Packing for a family trip away can be a massive logistical effort.

But given the Barn’s proximity to Huonville and Cygnet this is not needed, with grocery shops and everything else close by.

As well as a destination in itself, the Barn is an ideal base to explore all the Huon’s attractions such as restaurants, cafes, wineries, bushwalks and beaches.

Our midwinter visit featured cold, wind, wet, sun and everything in between, so we got the fire going in the afternoons and the kids enjoyed some colouring in, movies and games.

For a morning outing on our second day we took the 20-minute drive further south to explore the coastline at Ninepin Point marine reserve.

The Parks and Wildlife Service says the reserve protects an unusual marine environment.

Saltwater is overlain by tannin-rich freshwater from the Huon River.

The dark tannin layer restricts light penetration to the top few metres.

Many species normally found in deeper waters can be seen here in shallow water.

Ninepin Point is one of the few places in the world where this phenomenon occurs.

Given the high tide and some weather coming in from the south, our visit to Ninepin Point was fun but short.

On the way back to Eden we stopped in Cygnet to revive ourselves with lunch at the Commercial Hotel – better known as the bottom pub.

The author was a guest of The Barn at Eden Farmstay.

MAKE A NOTE

The Barn at Eden Farmstay, 22 Supplices Rd Cygnet.

The Barn has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and sleeps up to nine guests.

$275 per night, per couple (Monday to Thursdays), $300 per night, per couple (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). $50 per extra adult, $25 per child, $15 for infants under two. Bookings at edenfarmstay.com.au

blair.richards@news.com.au