Mr & Mrs Smith

Avalon Coastal Retreat

East Coast Tasmania, Australia

Just beyond the tucked-away Tasmanian town of Swansea near the Freycinet Peninsula, luxury self-catering property Avalon Coastal Retreat offers a refined take on the classic coastal hideaway. This modernist glass pavilion boasts three bedrooms and a living area that delivers elevated views of Great Oyster Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows. A well-curated contemporary art collection, grand fireplace, fully stocked kitchen and Japanese-style Huon pine bath tub mean you could happily stay holed-up inside for your entire stay. Should the bay beckon, however, there’s a cupboard full of wetsuits, towels and tide charts, and a path that leads down to a pristine stretch of private beach.

Need to know

• Rates information AU$900 a night, including breakfast provisions.
• Ideal for Three couples or a glam girls' weekend.
• Sleeps 6
• Property style Modernist glass pavilion.
• Grounds A barbecue area beckons at the front of the property; at the rear of the house, a deck flows off the living area, and a gum tree-lined path leads down to a private beach.
• Children This hotel is better suited to couples - leave the children at home!
• Booking process Any cancellations received inside 72 hours of scheduled check-in time will attract an AU$100 administration fee. Should you wish to postpone rather than cancel your stay, the property can transfer your booking deposit to another time within the next 12 months and provide you with a gift voucher for the balance after deducting the administration fee.
• Also Avalon's friendly manager Alison will meet you on arrival. The property welcomes children over the age of 12.

Floor plan

• With its sleek steel frame, clean architectural lines and wall-to-wall glass windows, there's a real indoor/outdoor feel about this contemporary self-catering property, perched above the sea on a tree-dotted outcrop.

• Bedrooms

  Avalon Coastal Retreat sleeps six in three clean-lined, contemporary double bedrooms, with sleek queen-size Tasmanian oak beds by designer Stuart Houghton. The master bedroom is the most spacious, with two walls of glass and a door giving onto the deck. It boasts the largest ensuite, with a Huon pine bath and shower. The other two bedrooms, set behind the master bedroom, are slightly smaller mirror images of each other, with ensuite showers and a single wall of glass bringing the outdoors in. All three feature white walls, minimal concealed storage and modern art, with blinds for privacy and tactile floors offering underfloor heating for nippy nights.

• Kitchen

  The open-plan kitchen overlooks the living area and those soul-stirring views of the bay. Modern finishes include black granite benchtops, double sinks, streamlined cupboards and a concealed dishwasher. It is stocked with everything you could possibly need, including breakfast provisions and Salco espresso machine to get your day off to a fine start. There's also an appetising minibar filled with fare from Hobart provedore Wursthaus Kitchen (+61 (0)3 6224 0644, www.wursthauskitchen.com.au), such as eye-fillet steaks, sausages and gourmet prepared meals, as well as a cellar's worth of  fine wines. Catering can be organised if you'd rather not lift a finger.

• Living room

  With floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, this large, open space is the hub of the house. The cutting-edge art collection is complemented by sleek modern furniture, including a giant, low-slung orange sofa, cow-hide recliner and eight-seater dining table. A contemporary fireplace with wood at the ready, luxurious rugs and underfloor heating create warmth throughout. For indoor entertainment, there's a telescope, Bose stereo and a collection of games, CDs and DVDs. 

• Dining room

  A generous, square, pale wood dining table holds court at one end of the open-plan dining/living area, beside the kitchen, seating eight. Bar stools lining the kitchen work station provide extra perches for snacking or socialising.

• Poolside Nature's provided the pool here, thanks to a private stretch of beach just five minutes' walk from the retreat.
• Gardens A strip of manicured lawn borders one side of the house; the other is more rough-and-ready with native plants, including rare Oyster Bay pine trees, towering gum trees, a freshwater pond and a path leading through scrub to the sea.
• Private parking A carport at the front of the property provides off-street parking.
• Other Outside, the big deck is a beguiling spot for an early morning yoga session (mats are helpfully provided).

Also worth knowing

• Weddings This property is suitable for weddings. More...