Remote eco-camp for ritzy nature buffs

A HIGH-end eco-tourism camp could hold the key to the state’s future as a destination for nature-loving visitors.

Guests arrive by boat at a landing near Melaleuca.

A HIGH-end eco-tourism camp deep in Tasmania’s remote World Heritage wilderness could hold the key to the state’s future as an international mecca for nature-loving visitors.

Reached by 60-minute flight south of Hobart, followed by half-hour boat ride, the South-West Wilderness Camp on the picturesque shore of Bathurst Harbour at Melaleuca will soon undergo a facelift.

That means the introduction of hot showers, an indoor kitchen and a gourmet, all-Tasmanian menu and wine list – which operator Par Avion is banking on to draw tourists from as far afield as China and Germany.

Par Avion managing director Shannon Wells said that after a camp was established on the current site in the 1970s to cater primarily to intrepid kayakers, the licence was grandfathered when the area was subsequently World Heritage-listed.

Now Par Avion wants to take the wilderness experience to the next level, adding creature comforts that will put the completely dismountable camp on the bucket list for nature lovers worldwide.

“Last year we successfully applied for a Federal Government grant to upgrade the facilities at the standing camp, which will include hot showers, renewable energy sources, upgraded kitchen facilities and improved accommodation,” Mr Wells said.

“We are seeking to provide clients with an amazing wilderness experience in the middle of this World Heritage area – in comfortable, eco-friendly accommodation.

Guests arrive by boat at a landing near Melaleuca.

“We want to make the camp comfortable enough not only for intrepid hard-core outdoor lovers but also those who value such things as comfortable beds, hot water, clean toilets and fine food and wine.

“I think people are looking for ways to completely unplug themselves from the world – and there’s not many places you can do that these days. “At certain times of year you can be at this camp and, apart from the lighthouse keeper at Maatsuyker Island, there is nobody else around for 50,000 hectares.”

The camp was previously run by the Roaring 40s adventure company, whose Bathurst Harbour tours have been rated by Lonely Planet as among the world’s top-10 kayaking trips.

Par Avion hopes its comfort injection will attract a new and high-yielding type of visitor.

Mr Wells said that after releasing the new product on the tourism market in Queensland recently, he was confident it would be a case of improve it and they will come.

“I was stunned by the reaction really, with enormous interest from Western Europe – in particular, Germany – and also China,” he said.

“I can see the camp alone being a reason for someone to visit Tasmania, simply because the product is so unlike anything else anywhere.

“With ‘Restaurant Australia’ becoming flavour of the month, and Tasmania becoming a foodie destination with our whisky, wine and seafood, we want to leverage on that, especially with the beef and lamb that will become part of our key offering down there.”