7 Tasmanian Slow Stays to book ahead for

Drift Beach Shack

In the quiet seaside hamlet of Weymouth, Drift Beach Shack blends Mid-Century, coastal and boho cues to create a tranquil haven worth escaping to. Brought from the 1950s into the modern day, with little luxuries like Smeg appliances and a new bathroom, you’ll find this humble abode still retains its warmth and charm. When the sun is out, head to the beach nearby with one of the boogie boards and a freshly-picked apple from the property’s old apple tree. Tuckered out? An afternoon by the fire with an eclectic selection of vinyls playing and a Jenga competition, is waiting for you.

Captains Rest

If you’ve trawled the internet looking for the best accommodation in Tasmania, then it’s almost a given that you would’ve come across the magical Captains Rest. This historically listed waterfront cottage is straight out of a picture book, with antique windows, vessels of oversized dried flowers, a wood fire to amplify the cosiness and your very own rickety timber jetty. With so much soul injected into this holiday home, we recommend leaving this one until later (if not, last) in your trip, as you’re not going to want to leave.

The Bus Hideaway

Escape the shackles of seriousness and skip the usual apartment stay for an old, restored ’85 bus. Using secondhand materials, The Bus Hideaway features custom-made furniture, a King-size bed with organic linen, a full kitchen and even its own wood fireplace. Parked on an old property in the Tamar Valley, stop by the Hillwood strawberry farm on your way to pick your own bounty of juicy strawbs to devour in complete solitude.

Cedar Cottage Meander

Resting sore feet and achy limbs after a day spent traversing the wilderness of Cradle Mountain is easy at nearby Cedar Cottage Meander. Found in the Meander Valley, this hand-built cabin is a gentle place to land and reset for the remainder of your travels. Work your way through the bounty of books by contemporary Tasmanian authors, whip up a feast using the produce from the organic kitchen garden or simply pour a glass of local red and sip it alongside the firepit. Once the night sky comes alive with stars, nothing will beat climbing into the cedar hot tub and letting your mind drift with the sounds of nature.

The Shack at Sheepwash Bay

If there’s one pit-stop you need to make on Bruny Island it’s to the pair of Kelvinator fridges at Sheepwash Lane that hold The Bruny Baker’s daily batch of wood-fired sourdough. But when you book to stay at The Shack at Sheepwash Bay, you’ll have VIP access at the source as John bakes in the shed next door, along with dreamy private beach access, an outdoor tub, and eggs from the free range chooks.

The Stable Lofts

It’s easy to lose yourself in the storybook romance of the mudbrick Stable Lofts at Hawthorn Villa Estate, with their perfectly manicured gardens and aesthetically-pleasing interiors. Lay out a picnic rug and enjoy a cheese platter and local wine complemented by views over the countryside and the Liffey River in the historic village of Carrick – and be sure to take a wander through the grove of National Trust-listed sequoias.

Whale Song

Words will never do Whale Song justice, but we’ll try. Sitting on the rocky shoreline at Falmouth, this beach shack is the kind that will send your heart fluttering as soon as you steal the first look. Weathered in all the right places, there’s enough space to sleep four, but it’s likely you’ll want to keep it all to yourself. Wrap your fingers around a hot cup of coffee in the morning and sip it on the deck – if you’re lucky you may have an unannounced visitor, as whales are often seen breeching as they migrate.