The top 5 remote stays in Tasmania

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Nowhere in Australia has mastered middle-of-nowhere luxury like Tasmania. Expect silence, solitude and quite a lot of moss.

If accommodation with a splash of Tasmanian noir and a dash of edge-of-the-world remoteness is what you crave, look no further than these five stays. Each brings a unique take on getting guests disconnected from daily life and in sync with nature instead. Easily spooked? Bring a partner or pal.

1. The Keep

The Keep in Tasmania/lutruwita’s north east ticks all of the remote accommodation boxes – and then some. It begins with the drive. As the nearest tiny town of Pioneer fades in the rear-view mirror, the dirt roads get increasingly narrow, and wombats lumber obliviously from the bush.

The Keep window in tasmania
The Keep ticks all of the remote accommodation boxes. (Image: Christian Watson)

Few, if any, people come down these old logging roads. An iron gate five kilometres from the accommodation is extra assurance you won’t see another human (unless a private chef or helicopter trip has been arranged).

a man exploring the forest surrounding The Keep, Tasmania
The property’s bushwalks showcase lush man-ferns. (Image: Roz & Loz)

Shortly before arrival the road inclines steeply above the tree line and The Keep looms into view. Built on a stony 650-metre pinnacle in the style of the towers favoured by European nobility during the Middle Ages as lookouts for invaders, the building has 360-degree views of the Bay of Fires and Flinders Island. The property’s 101 hectares of private reserve is set within a much larger sea of trees, so the solitude and silence are overwhelming.

The Keep in Tasmania aerial shot
You won’t forget the moment you see The Keep pop into view. (Image: Stu Gibson)

The Keep is kitted out with vinyl records, a bijou reading room, Tasmanian noir artworks, eight ways to make coffee and a sleek mid-century bar with a bottle of Lark whisky. In the fridge is local wine, beer, a selection of vintage French Champagne and high-quality breakfast provisions.

The Keep lounge room in Tasmania
Listen to vinyl by the fireplace. (Image: Ben Little)

Nestled among dramatic granite boulders, an outdoor bath offers panoramic views, while the property’s bushwalks showcase lush man-ferns, Tasmania’s oldest Myrtle Beech tree and some rather startled pademelons.

an outdoor bathtub at The Keep, Tasmania
An outdoor bath offers panoramic views. (Image: Rachel Vasicek)

The Keep is targeted at couples with no kids or pets in tow. Solo travellers should bring a pal (who they’re comfortable sharing a King bed with) because going alone may be too ‘Capital A’ alone for some. Avoid driving at dawn, dusk or at night when wildlife is on the move.

The Keep in Tasmania
The Keep is targeted at couples with no kids or pets in tow. (Image: Stu Gibson)

2. Corinna Wilderness Experience

Because Corinna offers several cottages, campsites and a pub, you may forget you’re in the middle of one of only three cool temperate rainforests globally: takayna/The Tarkine. This wilderness is half the size of Lebanon and is where the survival competition series Alone Australia (Season 1) was filmed. The nearest town of Waratah is an hour-plus drive down an unsealed road. The west coast town of Strahan, meanwhile, is 60 kilometres south.

an aerial view of the remote rainforest surrounding Corinna, Tas
Stay in the middle of a cool temperate rainforest. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Corinna was established in the 1890s on the traditional land of the Petaanidik peoples as a township for “miners and piners". These days, it’s a rustic and convivial place to meet fellow travellers though the frontier look and feel remains strong.

The Tarkine Hotel in Corinna, Tas
The Tarkine Hotel is tucked within a remote and rugged landscape. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Several hikes leave from Corinna’s grounds. The Whyte River loop is both enchanting and easy, while the longer and harder Mt Donaldson trail is a short drive away. On clear days, rented kayaks can be paddled on the tannin-stained Pieman River (keep an eye out for platypus or sea eagles.) Cabins are equipped to prepare simple meals, but most guests congregate on the Tarkine Hotel for pub grub.

two people kayaking along the Pieman River
Go kayaking along the Pieman River. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Tree lovers will spy Huon pine, myrtle beech, sassafras and leatherwood trees in the misty, mossy, luminously green rainforest. Autumn is fungi season when The Tarkine’s multicoloured mushrooms are a highlight. Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls can be seen, and the cool damp environment is also home to invertebrates such as large Land Snails, Walking Worms and the world’s largest freshwater invertebrate, the Giant Tasmanian Freshwater Crayfish.

the seating area in one of the accommodation options at Corinna
Corinna offers several cottages, campsites and a pub. (Image: Chris Crerar)

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3. Pumphouse Point

At the tippy top of a 275-metre jetty on leeawuleena/Lake St Clair is the five-storey, adults-only guest house, Pumphouse Point. Completed in 1940 as a pumphouse for Tasmania’s Hydro-Electric Commission, it is particularly photogenic at night when illuminated by red lights. Sleeping on the lake with crows cawing by is an experience of pure Tasmanian noir.

Pumphouse Point in Tasmania
Pumphouse Point sits on leeawuleena/Lake St Clair. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Based at the southern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, this is a walkers’ wonderland with 100 kilometres of tracks, including the magical Overland Track. If it’s not great weather for an intrepid walk, e-bikes, rowboats, books and board games will keep you entertained.

Pumphouse Point room in Tasmania
Take in dramatic views of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. (Image: Adam Gibson)

While larders and honesty bars are provided, room rates include breakfasts and dinners in the Shorehouse restaurant, with set menus featuring seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss a lakeside stroll for driftwood spotting.

Pumphouse Point restaurant in Tasmania
Room rates include breakfasts and dinners in the Shorehouse restaurant. (Image: Adam Gibson)

4. On Board

The Southwest National Park is Tasmania’s largest expanse of wilderness and perhaps its most fearsomely inaccessible of all. This is why On Board‘s expedition vessel, Odalisque III, is such a treat.

On Board's expedition vessel, Odalisque III
Hop onboard Odalisque III. (Image: Lean Timms)

With a passenger list capped at 12, founder and skipper Pieter van der Woude sails nature lovers to parts of the national park network that are otherwise impossible to access.

a woman looking out the mountain views from On Board's expedition vessel
Sail to parts of the national park that are otherwise impossible to access. (Image: Jason Charles Hill)

On Board’s signature experience is a five-day journey around Port Davey. This area has three hats: a national park, a protected marine park and a UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

guests atop Balmoral Hill on a journey around Port Davey
Nature lovers can join a five-day journey around Port Davey.

Guests can choose walking-oriented trips (think rainforests, button grass plains and quartzite mountain peaks), wellness journeys (journalling and cold plunging), or dedicated photography expeditions. Back onboard, food miles are minimised, and local materials and makers are featured.

an aerial view of the cliffs at Cape Pillar, Tasman Island
Guest can choose a range of different trips. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

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5.  Satellite Island

Your destination is an island off an island off an island. And once there you (and up to eight companions) will have it all to yourself. The best way to reach the end-of-the-world beauty of Satellite Island is from Hobart via Bruny Island. Stock up on provisions on Bruny and maybe you’ll get to supplement them with wild-caught oysters or abalone plucked from the water close to your bed.

an aerial view of Satellite Island
Satellite Island is a whale-shaped landmass off Bruny Island. (Image: Adam Gibson)

The two bedrooms in The Boathouse were once salmon feed sheds. The original roller doors remain, so the stars and sunrise are viewable while horizontal. Up a cliff-face stairway is the three-bedroom Summer House.

the Satellite Island Boathouse, Tasmania
The Boathouse is a quirky stay. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

There, guests will also find chickens for fresh eggs, an open fireplace, a stone fruit orchard, a garden full of fragrant herbs and, best of all, a Japanese onsen-style bath that fills with ocean water heated to 38 degrees.

the bedroom with a sliding glass door overlooking the sea on Satellite Island, Tas
Wake up to stunning water views. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

So much, or so little, can be done on Satellite Island. At low tide, you can walk the 30-hectare island on foot to see the ancient fossils in the rock shelf or circumnavigate it by kayak. Sunsets are wonderful at Last Glimpse Point with nothing between you and Antarctica.

the living room interior of The Boathouse, Satellite Island, Tas
Settle into a remote but luxe island abode. (Image: Luisa Brimble)

Sandy roams and beachcombs showcase hidden coves and shorelines clunking with glossy pebbles. Alternatively, walk the island’s interior to see native golden grasses rippling in the breeze. While tropical islands get all the glory, Tasmanian ones are better.

the Boathouse on Satellite Island
Escape to Satellite Island. (Image: Elise Hassey)

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Kate Hennessy
Kate Hennessy was a well-known music critic and arts journalist for several years for Guardian Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald. Travel writing occupies Kate’s time now, as well as authoring the Louis Vuitton City Guide to Sydney, her home city. Kate won the Walkley Award for Arts Criticism in 2017 and has won several travel writing prizes in recent years.
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What to expect from the Tamar Valley’s newly renovated cellar door

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
    Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.

    The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.

    The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.

    Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.

    sitting on the lawn of Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door
    Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.

    Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.

    Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.

    Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.

    Location

    roaring fireplace inside Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door tamar valley
    Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.

    Style & decor

    interior of Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door tamar valley
    Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.

    Wine experiences

    The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.

    Come for a taste, stay for an experience.

    PIRIE & Oyster Experience

    PIRIE & Oyster Experience
    Taste the best of PIRIE matched with oysters. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.

    As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.

    Pinot Noir Blending Experience

    Pinot Noir Blending Experience
    Try your own hand at mixing. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.

    Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.

    Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.

    Supreme Indulgence

    Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door
    Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.

    Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.

    Start planning at tamarridge.com.au and pirietasmania.com.au.

    Tasmania's 5 Best Remote Stays For Ultimate Seclusion - Australian Traveller