Sleep on the water, try hot tubs with a view and take in old-world grandeur: great Tassie getaways

Whether you want to sleep on a lake and wake up in the wilderness, visit a Kangaroo Island in style, or chill out in the heat of Darwin, we’ve got you covered for new stays in Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

TASMANIA

Pumphouse Point

1 Lake St Clair Rd, Lake St Clair; 0428 090 436

• EV charging
• Wheelchair-accessible

THE LOCATION Deep into Tasmania’s interior, midway between Hobart and Launceston, lies Australia’s deepest lake, Lake St Clair. On it, one of Australia’s most unique stays, a 1940s pumphouse-turned-lodge, is connected to land via a 250-metre pier.

THE PLACE Pumphouse Point opened in 2015 to glowing reviews, with 18 rooms split between the Pumphouse and Shorehouse. In 2025, two Retreats were added on the nearby shore, joining an existing Retreat, where timber-lined ceilings are lit by flickering firelight, great walls of glass ensnare views of myrtle forests, snow-tipped mountains and leeawuleena, or Sleeping Water, to give the glacial lake its Indigenous name. (Two Pumphouse rooms are accessible; Retreats are not.)

THE EXPERIENCE With its shared dining tables laden with exemplary Mod Tas cuisine, the property has a warm and convivial “we’ll-all-survive-just-nicely-in-the-wilderness” vibe. But what sets the self-contained, all-inclusive Retreats apart are their generous larders stocked with Tassie cheeses, wines and coffee; phone for hot sourdough, and survive becomes thrive. Set the Scrabble board by the fire, pop a Tasmanian pinot and watch wombats chase snow flurries while sunbeams trip across the lake.

DON’T MISS The nearby Lake St Clair National Park’s visitor centre is the starting point for walks ranging from a pleasant toddle to challenging day hikes, and the finishing point for walkers completing the six-day Overland Track.

FROM Retreats from $1995 a night; two-night minimum stay.
Belinda Jackson

The Bond Store

17 Wharf Rd, Stanley; 1800 222 397

• EV charging

THE LOCATION It’s a scenic 100-minute drive north-west from Devonport to the fishing village of Stanley, where at the base of The Nut and on the edge of the sea your historic haven awaits.

THE PLACE The Bond Store is a heritage bluestone former customs store, now home to two self-contained apartments, one with a single bedroom and the other with two. The carpet is still springier than a new pair of Reeboks, but the building dates back to the mid-19th century. Stonemason Josh O’Connor painstakingly repaired the heritage bluestone walls, while the interiors were transformed into contemporary cool with a cosy filter. Leather chairs have throws and sheepskin rugs that are abandoned once you discover a fire stove that even Boy Scout failures can operate. There’s a television chef-worthy kitchen (including copious breakfast provisions) and sunroom offering every comfort.

THE EXPERIENCE No-contact check-in instructions make it easy to step inside your home, where stress instantly dissolves without the assistance of the sauna in the courtyard. The streets of Stanley are charming but once you fill the supplied carafe with local wine, it’s hard to tear yourself away from the sea views and lull of a crackling fire.

DON’T MISS Climb The Nut and reward yourself with dinner at the Stanley Hotel, with seafood supplied from the fishing boats next door to your accommodation.

FROM $700 a night; two-night minimum stay. Damien Woolnough

Wineglass Bay Estate

1100 Coles Bay Rd, Coles Bay; 0437 911 204

• EV charging
• Wheelchair-accessible

THE LOCATION On Tasmania’s east coast and a short drive from Coles Bay – the base town for the Freycinet Peninsula-Wineglass Bay region – this stay is about two hours from Launceston and 2½ hours from Hobart.

THE PLACE Each of the eight black-clad tiny-house-style villas comprises one main room with an area for a toaster, kettle, coffee machine and mini-fridge, king-sized bed and sitting space, plus a separate bathroom. They smell like an Aesop store and have a winter-lodge feel, all dark tones, generous rugs, Waverley blankets and leather couches.

THE EXPERIENCE This is the place for nature lovers who prefer fine accommodation over camping. Each retreat has a gabled roof and a “star-gazer” floor-to-ceiling window with uninterrupted views of the ever-changing Moulting Lagoon – an internationally recognised wetland home to migratory birds, sea eagles and pelicans, where about 80 per cent of Tasmania’s black swan population breeds. Leave the curtains open or head out to the deck. The 21-hectare estate has 1.5 kilometres of waterfront for roaming along, plus there’s a bocce area, firepits, an open-grill restaurant and a cellar door. Beyond the estate, there are other local wineries and Freycinet’s natural beauty.

DON’T MISS A catamaran around the peninsula with Wineglass Bay Cruises. For lunch they put down anchor in the famous bay.

FROM $780 a night; minimum two-night stay, three in peak periods. Melissa Fyfe

The George Hotel

31A Elizabeth St, Launceston; (03) 6310 8233

• EV charging
• Wheelchair-accessible

THE LOCATION On the fringe of Launceston’s CBD, surrounded by historic buildings with enduring charm, The George is a 15-minute drive from Launceston Airport.

THE PLACE Opening in 2025 with 38 confidently contemporary rooms, The George is a four-floor addition to a rabbit’s warren of accommodation, including the neighbouring Colonial Hotel building from 1847. Superior Rooms have internal views but Deluxe and Premium Rooms are light-filled. The Penthouse Suite has long lunch-worthy terraces and views of the city. Vibrant carpets by Melbourne designer Megan Park, Tasmanian timber details and Italianate tiles in the bathroom offer warmth before you adjust the thermostat.

THE EXPERIENCE After checking in at the neighbouring historic property, entering The George allows you to practise instant gratitude for modern comforts, technology and heating. Rooms are packed with an embarrassment of amenities, with penthouse suites featuring an oven and stovetop, but supermarkets, coffee shops and craft breweries are only a 10-minute stroll away if studio living is not your idea of a holiday.

DON’T MISS Walk through the neighbouring Princes Square park to visit the sleek wine bar Havilah, where warm wines and cool martinis pair with plump oysters and hearty pastas.

FROM $220 a night. Damien Woolnough

The Islington Hotel

321 Davey St, Hobart; (03) 6220 2123

THE LOCATION On a street lined with historic mansions of fading grandeur in the city’s outskirts, the hotel is a five-minute drive or 30-minute walk to the CBD.

THE PLACE The pristine Islington, built in 1847, puts its best face forward with decorative Regency elements. The former home of James Milne Wilson, one-time Cascade brewer and later Tasmanian premier, is now an 11-room, adults-only hotel with rooms offering restrained comfort in contemporary style, in contrast to the old-world magnificence of the main sitting rooms and manicured gardens. Rooms at the back offer conservatory-style windows with views dominated by Mount Wellington.

THE EXPERIENCE With generous parking on the gravel drive, it’s a short stroll through the gardens to the formal reception, where the surroundings and professional approach of the staff would make the downstairs occupants of Downton Abbey proud. Before escaping to your suite, inspect the artworks in the sitting rooms and library and pick a favourite reading spot. The fireplace in the conservatory, where impressive included breakfasts are served, is the prime position. On warmer days, the outdoor areas beckon.

DON’T MISS Walking the local streets is a visual feast for lovers of historic architecture.

FROM $310 a night. Damien Woolnough

Little Beach Co. Retreat

21040 Tasman Hwy, Chain of Lagoons; 0468 053 463

• Wheelchair-accessible

THE LOCATION This wellness-focused eco-retreat is about three hours north-east of Hobart on a rugged and forested stretch of the east coast. It is between the beachside hubs of Bicheno and Scamander.

THE PLACE Four curved-roof villas placed for privacy in coastal woodland have full ocean views, a bedroom, lounge, bathroom and kitchen. Each has a wood-fired hot tub with its own sea vista. The retreat also offers glamping domes and the three-bedroom Rockpool Residence, and has won awards for accessibility and inclusivity. One villa is wheelchair accessible, with a portable spa hoist available for the hot tub.

THE EXPERIENCE After the planting of 1700 native plants, you can barely tell this was formerly a sheep property. Wallabies bound around and birds flit (11 domestic species and 19 migratory ones, including the recent return of the endangered swift parrot). Wellness here comes with a wild edge: the waterfront is a boulder-filled slope with rock pools for a cold plunge, while the cliff-top wood-fired sauna looks across the ocean. Massages are available and there’s an onsite restaurant open seasonally. This is a place to chill, drop out and ponder the vastness of the Tasman Sea.

DON’T MISS Drive down to Bicheno and enjoy a seafood lunch at local favourite the Lobster Shack.

FROM $650 a night; minimum two-night stay across Saturday nights. Melissa Fyfe

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

73 Scenic Dr, American River, Kangaroo Island; (08) 8553 7053

• Wheelchair-accessible

THE LOCATION A short flight from Adelaide (or ferry ride from Cape Jervis), the lodge is a 30-minute drive from Kingscote Airport, overlooking the water at American River.

THE PLACE The Mercure fills a useful niche on Kangaroo Island, combining full hotel facilities and a range of room types with the privacy and polish of eight new luxury villas. Designed in natural colours and clean lines, each has a king bed, separate living area, kitchenette and deck overlooking Eastern Cove.

THE EXPERIENCE The quiet American River setting makes a relaxing base for exploring an island where sights are widely scattered. After a day’s touring, there’s no need to head out again: Reflections restaurant showcases the local produce for which Kangaroo Island is renowned, while the lodge also has a bar and saltwater pool. But do venture out after dark with a map and torch from reception to explore the nature trail and look for nocturnal wildlife. A hire car is the easiest way to explore more widely and independently; Exceptional Kangaroo Island also offers small-group and private tours.

DON’T MISS Seal Bay Conservation Park is home to the world’s third-largest colony of Australian sea lions. A 900-metre wheelchair-accessible boardwalk offers close-up views of the wild colony. Unforgettable.

FROM $399 a night. Melissa Stevens

Merilli1885

153 Deep Creek Rd, Currency Creek; (08) 8555 4142

THE LOCATION This luxury farmstay is on the Fleurieu Peninsula, an easy 75-minute drive south from Adelaide Airport.

THE PLACE A restored 19th-century stone workers’ cottage on a 36-hectare Angus beef farm forms the heart of this idyllic adults-only retreat. Two “wings” converge on a light-filled open-plan living area featuring cathedral ceilings, a Cheminee Philippe fireplace and doors opening onto a wraparound verandah, which catches the morning sun. The king bedroom in the original building has been updated with central heating and a cosy sitting area. The second bedroom can be configured as a twin and features an en suite with a deep bath that overlooks the dam, where cows frequently roam and galahs perch in the old trees. French linens, deep sofas and a kitchen equipped with everything you – or a private chef – could need, including an automatic coffee machine and breakfast provisions, complete the picture.

THE EXPERIENCE The hardest decision is whether to hunker down by the fire with a board game and a glass of red, feed the horses with the supplied bag of carrots, or explore the area’s excellent wineries and restaurants, including Salopian Inn and Never Never, famous for its oyster-shell gin.

DON’T MISS Canoe the Coorong, which operates on Hindmarsh Island, offers 2½-hour guided sunset kayak trips that promise pelicans, seals and, if you’re lucky, a resident pod of dolphins.

FROM $900 a night; two-night minimum stay. Melissa Singer

The Vineyard Retreat

165 Whitings Rd, Blewitt Springs; 0436 333 726

• Wheelchair-accessible

THE LOCATION The Vineyard Retreat is in the McLaren Vale region, a 50-minute drive south of Adelaide’s CBD where some of Australia’s oldest vineyards meet the sea.

THE PLACE Purchased in November 2025 by Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas and Australian Olympic cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, the retreat’s six, self-contained, one- and two-bedroom guest houses have been refreshed to create a sense of mountain lodge seclusion. Two more one-bedroom guest houses are available down the hill in McLaren Flat’s Main Street Retreat.

THE EXPERIENCE Bottas and Cromwell met in Monaco and travel extensively due to their professions. When they are in Australia, The Vineyard Retreat is home to their private residence located on the six-hectare property. For guests, the experience is homely, too. Walnut floorboards, linen upholstery and a wooden fireplace meet cappuccino cowhides and game animal motifs while a wraparound verandah looks out onto a gentle slope of old vines. The grapes are used by surrounding wineries and the wines are available to guests alongside other local provisions in the well-stocked complimentary mini bar. An added wellness space with a cold plunge pool and sauna nods to Bottas’ Finnish roots.

DON’T MISS The Farm at Willunga is a charming family-owned cafe on an organic olive grove and vineyard. Order the beef brisket burger and wash it down with the house shiraz.

FROM $395 a night at Main Street Retreat; from $525 a night at The Vineyard Retreat; two-night minimum stay. Julia Naughton

NORTHERN TERRITORY

voco Darwin Suites

87 Mitchell St, Darwin; (08) 8923 5000

THE LOCATION On Darwin’s electric nightlife strip of Mitchell Street, voco Darwin Suites is a slice of calm (and cool) in the middle of the lively city.

THE PLACE The first thing you notice is the air-conditioning. Outside, the atmosphere is thick and sticky with the humidity of the Top End. Inside, the air is cold and fresh with the scent of bergamot. The four-storey, 88-room hotel has apartment-like rooms with full kitchenettes, washer/dryers, Antipodes bathroom products, and views of the city or esplanade. A pool is miraculously squeezed alongside the building, and a gym is hidden in the basement car park.

THE EXPERIENCE At The Aviary Bar and Brasserie, order a Tropical Monsoon G&T, sit on the balcony and indulge in the Territory’s best people-watching: shirtless tradies in red dirt-coated utes, Birkenstock-wearing backpackers, and ladies in linen. Mitchell Street is unpredictable, chaotic and fun. Across the road, find Sweethearts – named after a 5.1-metre, 780-kilogram croc that is said to have destroyed 15 boats in the 1970s – and sing along to Khe Sanh at the Duelling Pianos, Thursday to Sunday. The croc theme continues at Crocosaurus Cove, where punters can swim with the apex predator in the Cage of Death. Only in Darwin.

DON’T MISS The Darwin Street Art festival is held annually in May-June, but the 167 murals across the city can be enjoyed all year round.

FROM $159 a night. Alley Pascoe

* Writers stayed as guests of the properties.

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