A huge thank you to the staff at the Freycinet Lodge for this stay. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Imagine waking up in the middle of the trees, surrounded by the most unusual rock formations, tucked away in what feels like your own little slice of uninterrupted paradise. From outside your window, you see nothing but round, almost cartoon-like orange mountain peaks, soft, rolling waves, and occasionally, maybe even a wallaby or two. Quiet, cozy, remote, but not too remote.
Everything from room service to ‘do not disturb’ can be easily accessed from your room’s very own touch-button system – no flimsy, laminated door hangers here. No unnecessary conversations or hassles standing between you and what you need: the ultimate space to relax and reflect, fully immersed in nature.
These aren’t hotel rooms, they’re oases, and you can find them in Tasmania at the Freycinet Lodge.
This hotel is not new, but a recent eco-conscious and luxury-focused renovation aimed at emphasizing Tasmanian design and the natural environment makes this place un-missable. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself torn over whether to spend your time outdoors or tucked away in your room, which is honestly not a bad problem to have.
But to really show you how enticing this place is, you also need the backstory. For this trip, I was in Tasmania for 5 days by myself, and in order to get to the Lodge in the first place, I needed to rent a car, which when considering that I would be driving on the opposite side of the road, was already anxiety-inducing enough.
On the day I was scheduled to check in, it was overcast and raining, and the plans I had made for the morning had been cancelled outside of my control. I had ambitions of seeing Freycinet Peninsula by sky, and jetting off in a water taxi to visit one of the most famous and photogenic beaches in the world, Wineglass Bay. All of this, cancelled, an entire day ruined before it was even 10 am. Long story short, I was in pretty low spirits. But, I soon realized that despite poor weather conditions or lousy luck, nothing really matters anymore once you arrive at the Lodge.
Location
When it comes to where to stay in Tasmania, Hobart is the From Hobart, the Lodge is about a 2.5 hour drive on what’s known as the Great Eastern Drive. Plan to stop at Arkitect Coffee in Swansea for a pick-me-up, and at least one cellar door (wine tasting room) like Craigie Knowe for a free wine tasting along the way.
Freycinet Lodge is located in the Freycinet National Park near Coles Bay, and you’ll need a National Parks Pass, which you can purchase either at the Visitors Station or the Lodge’s main building when you check in.
The Freycinet Lodge Property
The Lodge’s main building is inviting without being overstated. There is no lack of smartly laid out furniture and decor aimed at creating nooks and crannies for guests to snuggle up with a good book and an even better drink. But the focus here isn’t on the building, but on what’s outside. Floor-to-ceiling windows and outward-facing seats put you front-row with Tasmania’s infamous Oyster Bay, immediately reminding you where you are and what you came for.
The Experience
The experience really begins at check-in, where an Experience Manager (Andreas, he’s amazing!) greeted me with a glass of Tasmanian wine and showed me around the property, as well as my room. Days before I even checked in, Andreas had already emailed me, making sure to ask about my wine preferences, desired check-in time, and to see whether I needed any help with my itinerary during my stay.
I had read that Freycinet was redefining eco-accommodation, and it was clear from the get-go what that meant. Andreas made sure to make it known by pointing out little details to me that other hotels wouldn’t even bat an eyelash towards, like how few trees were knocked down to renovate the property, and how the walkways leading to each room are all raised to protect wildlife from being disturbed by shoes and suitcases. Before disappearing to leave me to my room, Andreas took me through a 20-minute ‘tour’ of my room, ensuring I knew every single feature and amenity available to me so that I could get the most out of my stay. I mean, can every hotel be like this?
The Rooms
There are several different accommodations to choose from, but the crown jewels of the Lodge are its Lodge King room, Mountain Terrace rooms, and Coastal Pavilions. If possible, ask to tour the different rooms when you arrive, because each is a masterpiece of Tasmanian design, featuring smart touches and innovative materials aimed at maximizing your experience within the natural surroundings. In the Coastal Pavilions, which I stayed in, the suite is less of a room and more like a natural formation, with soft, rounded lines (no sharp angles anywhere in sight), warm Tasmanian timber lining each wall, and tall windows and skylights ensuring that you get to glimpse the outside world no matter where you’re standing.
Inside, board games, binoculars, a hiking backpack, yoga mats, drawing tools, and a Bluetooth speaker are all available to you. Outside, your very own hammock and bath await. The Lodge leaves you to enjoy your room with a complimentary bottle of Tasmanian wine, a sample of local whiskey, and daily chocolate nightcaps delivered to your room at dusk. If you don’t want to leave your bed the next day, breakfast delivery can also be arranged, free of charge. You can bet I took advantage of that.
I spent my one night here bathing outside (rain and all), sipping wine and whiskey, watching movies, and exploring the Lodge’s bar and restaurants (there are 2). In the morning, breakfast delivery allowed me to soak up every last minute in my room before driving back to Hobart.
The Freycinet Lodge is on the pricier side (rooms start at $237 USD), but in my opinion, you get what you pay for and more. To offset a night like this, I spent the other nights in Tasmania at a budget hotel-like accommodation. It’s well worth it in order to experience something like the Freycinet Lodge, even if it’s only for one night. In my opinion, it’s the only way to do the Freycinet Peninsula, and a visit to Tasmania would just not be complete without it.
Ready to pack your bags? Book your stay at the Freycinet Lodge here.
Book Activities In or Near This Hotel Here:
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2 Responses
Rachel, my wife and I are planning a trip to Tasmania for November. Your blog has been the most helpful resource we found so far.
Thanks,
Jim
Thank you so much, Jim! That’s awesome – I hope you have the best time!! If you have any questions about my Tassie itinerary, feel free to reach out! (racheloffduty@gmail.com) 🙂