Lodge pods designed to set more lightly on the landscape in Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park

THE expansion of the Freycinet Lodge into the national park has begun after the RACT revised its original plan in a bid to make the development more environmentally friendly. TAKE A FLY THROUGH

THE expansion of the Freycinet Lodge into the national park has begun after the RACT revised its original plan in a bid to make the development more environmentally friendly.

The expansion of the lodge by the RACT — under the expressions of interest process for developments in national parks — will involve nine new waterfront accommodation pods on the existing site, as well as the installation of a lift and an accessible suite in the main lodge of the building.

The project involves six existing cabins being dismantled and carried out of the site by hand and replaced with the pods, which are currently being built and will be custom-fitted to the landscape.

One of the new waterfront pods at Freycinet. IMAGE: Design by Liminal Architecture and render by Floodslicer

RACT group chief executive Harvey Lennon said the pods were set to open early next year.

“This is a very careful operation that has taken significant planning,” Mr Lennon said.

“We are continuing to work with the local community and stakeholders to ensure that they are informed of the work’s progress.”

In July last year, the RACT revised a previous plan after community opposition to its expansion into the national park.

The Freycinet Action Network, including RACT members, started a petition in protest against the plans.

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With the help of development team leader, tourism entrepreneur Brett Torossi, the RACT consulted with the concerned residents and believes the new plan is the most sensitive to the environment and region.

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Minister for Environment and Parks Matthew Groom said the development would get more tourists to the East Coast.

“It’s a great example of new world class investment in our iconic national parks that will help further reinforce Tasmania’s growing reputation as a leader in eco-tourism globally,” Mr Groom said.

RACT chief Harvey Lennon and development team leader Brett Torossi at Freycinet Lodge.