This fort-like Tassie stunner is not your average holiday house

The hotel

The Keep, Goulds Country, Tasmania

The Keep, in Goulds Country, Tasmania, is an imposing structure with 360-degree views.

Check-in

In most conditions you won’t need a 4WD to reach The Keep, but the road is rough and unsealed. About 20 minutes away from the property, mobile reception will drop out and soon after a boxy, brick structure comes into view, perched on a 650-metre-high pinnacle with 360-degree views of the Tasmanian wilderness and distant ocean. It’s then you realise The Keep isn’t your average holiday house.

The look

The inviting library area is perfect for doing very little.

A keep is a fortified tower within a castle and was a structure found throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. This particular one, completed in 2017, is modelled on a Scottish design. In 2023 Tassie hospitality duo Sue and Jonathan Stagg bought the property from the original owner who was operating it as an Airbnb stay and refurbished the property with luxury trimmings. It features bespoke (mostly) Tasmanian furniture, high-quality finishes and appliances such as Japanese knives, crystal glassware and French linen.

The room

The space feels modern and homely.

When you check in to The Keep, you check in to the entire house. Despite its three storeys and imposing size from the exterior, it only has one spacious bedroom and one bathroom, thus caters to couples only. The whole house feels modern and homely with thoughtful touches at every turn, including a scattering of books, artworks and potted plants.

Food + drink

Stock up on yummy food when you plan a stay at The Keep.

Unless you opt to hire a private chef ($750), you need to arrange your own meals. The nearest town is St Helens, a 40-minute drive along a rustic and wildlife-strewn road. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food but may be pleasantly surprised by the generous provisions supplied by the owners. There’s a welcome bottle of wine (with more to purchase) and a fridge stocked with complimentary items such as cheese, smoked salmon, crackers, milk, eggs and fresh bread. The pantry contains staples. The owners are coffee people who have spent decades running cafes in Hobart, so you’re presented with various coffee-making methods including moka pot, Trinity One and AeroPress plus a selection of beans.

Out + about

The Keep’s outdoor granite bath has superlative views.

There are three short walking trails close to The Keep, which is set on 101 hectares with an extensive forestry reserve beyond that; the outdoor granite bath has magnificent forest and mountain views. If you decide to venture out, St Helen’s is lovely for lunch and the Bay of Fires is about an hour’s drive away. Otherwise, unwind with a selection of vinyl records, choose a book from the cosy reading room or raid the board-game cupboard. Wi-Fi is available but there’s no television.

The verdict

The Keep is for couples only.

Though The Keep is their first foray into accommodation, the Staggs clearly have hospitality in their blood. The entire experience is thoughtfully curated with every detail accounted for.

Essentials

From $1250 a night Sunday to Thursday and $1380 a night on weekends, with a two-night minimum for all stays. The three-storey house has no lift. 535 New England Road, Goulds Country, Tasmania. See thekeeptasmania.com.au

Our score out of five

★★★★★

Highlight

Waking up surrounded by nature and knowing there’s no rush to be anywhere or do anything.

Lowlight

Despite the steep price tag, you’ll be making your own bed, prepping your own meals and loading up the dishwasher.

The writer stayed as a guest of The Keep.