Waterfront chalets are a cosy place to relax and enjoy the magic of Tasmania’s stunning East Coast
Sitting around the firepit, enjoying molten marshmallows and spectacular water views at Swansea Beach Chalets was a reminder that sometimes the simplest holiday activities are often the best.
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The four of us are sitting around a glowing fire pit, arms outstretched as we wave our carefully-selected sticks, each with a marshmallow pushed firmly onto the end, over the hot coals.
With the repetitive sound of the waves crashing at the shore in front of us, the salty scent of the sea air, and a view of The Hazards mountain range in the distance, there’s a certain meditative quality to our experience as we watch colour streak the sky as day turns into night.
And of course the radiant warmth of the fire, combined with the gooey sweetness of the molten marshmallows that we are gleefully popping into our mouths, is also helping to make our East Coast experience that little bit sweeter.
Sitting around the firepit was a highlight of our stay at Swansea Beach Chalets, where I was quickly reminded that sometimes it’s the simplest holiday activities that are often the best.
My boys, aged seven and nine, took great joy in searching the surrounding lawn and garden for what they deemed to be the perfect marshmallow-toasting sticks – not too fat, not too thin, and long enough to reach deep into the coals without little hands needing to get too close to the flames.
The boys also showed great enthusiasm for checking out the sandy stretch of coastline that the property overlooks, bounding down the timber steps to the water’s edge, searching for shells, darting along the sand, clambering over boulders at the far end of the beach and watching in awe as a lone pelican glided graciously overhead.
The coastal township of Swansea is nestled halfway between Orford and Bicheno, making Swansea Beach Chalets a great base for exploring Tassie’s East Coast, regardless of which direction you’re heading in.
There are plenty of wineries in this region – including Spring Vale, Devil’s Corner, Mayfield Estate and Craigie Knowe, just to name a few – and tourist drawcards like Kate’s Berry Farm are in close proximity too.
We stopped for fish and chips from The Fish Van at Triabunna on our way up the East Coast from Hobart, and also chose to spend some time exploring Bicheno during our stay, with the boys keen to meet some wildlife at East Coast Natureworld.
Closer to our accommodation we found plenty of dining spots in Swansea that cater to all tastes, including The Branch wine and cocktail bar, The Bark Mill Tavern and Bakery, Artifakt Cafe, Cake and Honey, Swansea RSL and The Horny Cray Takeaway. The local IGA was a handy spot for us to stock up on supplies – including the all-important marshmallows.
But the dining highlight for us was a lunchtime visit to Alimento, a cafe/deli/gourmet takeaway, where friendly staff serve delicious homemade cakes, pies, gourmet sandwiches, rolls, wraps and barista coffee as well as an all-day menu featuring eggs benedict, smashed avo, beef croquettes and various other dishes.
The boys were particularly impressed with the chicken and leek sausage rolls here, and a delicious slice of chocolate raspberry cake which they washed down with hot chocolates.
They also gave a thumbs up to the takeaway pizza and burgers we enjoyed from nearby Saltshaker restaurant, where an online ordering system meant we could order dinner from the comfort of our chalet, drive to the door, run in and pick up our food and then enjoy some lazy in-room dining.
There are 26 self-contained chalets spread across almost 5ha of waterfront land at Swansea Beach Chalets, including a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations.
Tasmania’s Cretan family has owned and operated the business since 1972, with the most recent refurbishment in 2022, when $1m was spent adding six new one-bedroom chalets to the property.
We enjoyed our two-night stay in a two-bedroom waterfront chalet – the couches and beds were comfy and we all slept beautifully, with the sound of waves rolling into the nearby shore lulling us into a deep and restful sleep.
The highlight, of course, was the view, which could be enjoyed from our private balcony, but also from inside the chalet.
Another highlight for the boys was getting the chance to hang out with Ted, the resident dog, who we met on check-in and said ‘hello’ to a few more times throughout our stay. The small, shaggy pooch – who belongs to Swansea Beach Chalet managers Lisa Deegan-Brown and Peter Brown – is quite the charmer, and loves a pat from guests.
At the end of each day exploring various parts of the East Coast, we found ourselves drawn back to the mesmerising flicker of the property’s two fire pits, enjoying a blast of warmth amid the crisp winter air.
The boys are already planning for a return visit during the summer months when the outdoor pool will be open, the new playground will be built and the beach will be a more welcoming temperature for a swim. It will also be a good excuse to see Ted again – and toast a few more marshmallows.
The author was a guest of Swansea Beach Chalets
MAKE A NOTE
Swansea Beach Chalets offers self-contained beachfront accommodation at Swansea, which is a 1 hour and 40 minute drive from Hobart.
There are 26 chalets, including a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations.
During August guests can enjoy one night of accommodation in a one-bedroom waterfront chalet, a dozen oysters from Melshell Oysters and a bottle of Milton sparkling wine – best consumed while enjoying water views from your balcony – as part of a Shellebration special for $300. Or stay a minimum of two nights during August and receive 20 per cent off as part of a Winter Getaway special.
Regular rates start from $160 per night for a studio chalet.
For more specials visit swanseachalets.com.au or check Facebook or Instagram for updates.
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