Huon Valley Escapes

04/05/2024

The Aquariids meteor shower peaks each May, around 4 - 8th. Early morning is the best time to see up to 21 meteors an hour. This meteor shower occurs when Earth travels through the debris left behind by Halley's comet. To get the best view, find a location far away from city lights, such as Buttongrass Retreat, near Hastings, in Far South Tasmania.

More info about the meteor shower is at https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2024-05-03/2024-eta-aquariids-australia-meteor-shower/103784186

More info about the dark sky at Buttongrass Retreat (and online bookings) is at https://www.buttongrassretreat.com.au/dark-sky-aurora.html

Far from the light pollution of Hobart city, this eco cabin is the southernmost accommodation in all Australia. From the generous deck and the full length living room windows, your view is south and...

16/04/2024

Our recent guest, Mary, captured this nice green Southern Aurora glow from the front deck of Buttongrass Retreat south from Dover, Tasmania. This is a great place to experience the night sky without light pollution from city lights. More info is at https://www.buttongrassretreat.com.au/dark-sky-aurora.html

04/04/2024

More info at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/wilderness-camp-port-davey.html

09/03/2024

Many terms have been applied to tourism to lift its image. An early descriptor from the 1970’s, and one still in use today, is ‘ecotourism’. Ecotourism is invariably associated with taking a trip into and through nature with a hint of adventure and the unknown.

Tourism has been an important industry in Tasmania for many years providing income and employment to the state. However, like all industries it needs to adapt to comply with the global need for a low carbon future. In 2023, industry and government combined to jointly release a plan for taking the in...

04/03/2024

A Taste of the Huon is one of the most popular regional events in Tasmania and draws over 20,000 local, intrastate and interstate visitors through its 2 day program. From 10 and 11 March 2024, this is a celebration of fine food, wine, entertainment, arts and crafts from the Huon Valley and Channel region – held at Ranelagh which is only 30 minutes scenic drive south of Hobart.

Maybe use the Taste as your impetus to enjoy a Huon Valley Escape. Add a couple of nights accommodation, a river cruise, visit the apple museum, winery. More info at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/taste-of-the-huon.html

04/02/2024

Cockle Creek, in Far South Tasmania has been names the 3rd best beach in Australia by Tourism Australia in 2024.​

Read more at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/tourism-news-blog/cockle-creek-is-third-best-beach-in-australia

The list has been curated by Tourism Australia's ambassador and beach expert Brad Farmer AM, He is an environmentalist who has dedicated his life to conserving Australia's coastline, so it's hard to imagine a better Australian to curate the list. Cockle Creek is a real standout in it's protection of the natural values of Tasmania's Southwest National Park.

Cockle Creek, in Far South Tasmania has been names the 3rd best beach in Australia by Tourism Australia in 2024.​

16/01/2024

Cancelation at Buttongrass Retreat means we have 3 nights available at discounted price: Arrive 17, depart 20 Jan $175/nt inc 2 people, 1 queen bed. Book now https://book.roommanager.com.au/huon-valley-escapes/accommodation/140375/206106%2c206105%2c206038%2c206114%2c206039%2c206124%2c206040

14/01/2024

Hastings pool closed for the week

⛔️ Closure alert ⛔️
If you're planning on heading to the Hastings area this coming week, please be aware Hastings Springs Reserve will be closed from Monday 15 January 2024 for important pool maintenance. The Reserve walks and barbecues are expected to reopen Wednesday 17 January, with the pool reopening Monday 22 January 2024.

Don't despair - there is still plenty to see and do in the area, with the spectacular underground world of Hastings (Newdegate) Cave, several short walks, or that end-of-the-earth drive experience out to Cockle Creek, Australia's southernmost point accessible by road.

📸: David Clarke

29/09/2023

Parks and Wildlife Tasmania has released its report "Visitors to “Reference Sites” 2018–2019 to 2022-23". Amongsts the highlights is that Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs has experienced record growth and record numbers of visitors.

More info at

Parks and Wildlife Tasmania has released its report "Visitors to “Reference Sites” 2018–2019 to 2022-23". Amongst the highlights is that Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs has experienced...

24/09/2023

There will be no Dark M**o this winter but there are still lots of winter oriented things to do in Southern Tasmania.

After 10 years of darkness, and in preparation for 10 more, Dark M**o is pausing for 2024.

In its stead, two rituals will be presented to guide us through the dark days—Winter Feast and N**e Solstice Swim.

https://darkmo.fo/2024

25/08/2023

Hobart is now accessible on Rex’s domestic network from Melbourne. The new route, operated by a Boeing 737-800NG, connects the Apple Isle to the mainland and provides an additional 128,000 seats a year between Melbourne and Hobart. Mr Sharp said travellers on both sides of Bass Strait had embraced the new daily Melbourne to Hobart service as evidenced by the strong forward bookings on the route.​

Economy fares from Hobart starting at $79 and Business class seats from $349

More info https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/tourism-news-blog/hobart-joins-rex-network

19/08/2023

Here is what Bard AI thinks about Buttongrass Retreat https://g.co/bard/share/a8d429d0b739

Created with Bard.

11/08/2023

Surveying equipment in the Channel Museum. The level and tripod belonged to Dr. Thomas Walker Fowler, Engineer-in-Chief for Tasmania c. 1915, and was donated by his grandson Phillip Fowler. Distances were measured in chains and links, which were literally chains and links like the one hanging on the wall. One link was about 20cm, 100 links = 1 chain, approximately 20 metres. Useful to know if reading old plans, deeds of sale etc.

27/02/2023

A great Southern Aurora is predicted for next couple of nights. We have vacancy at Buttongrass Retreat with a spectacular dark sky and southern outlook. More info and book now at

Far from the light pollution of Hobart city, this eco cabin is the southernmost accommodation in all Australia. From the generous deck and the full length living room windows, your view is south and...

26/02/2023

Escape to Tasmania's Huon Valley for a foodie adventure.

Nature, cider, world-class sushi, platypus, dolphins and distilleries!? Tasmania's Southern Edge drive has to be driven to be believed.

25/02/2023

The Taste of the Huon happens 12 and 13 March 2023. Celebrating fine food, wine, entertainment, arts and crafts from the Huon Valley and Channel region, this 2 day event happens at Ranelagh Showgrounds, 30 minutes drive south of Hobart. Escape to the Huon Valley: You can spend the day at The Taste Of The Huon, then continue south to the southernmost place in Australia and stay a couple of nights at Buttongrass Retreat. More info at

A Taste of the Huon from 12 and 13 March 2023, is a celebration of fine food, wine, entertainment, arts and crafts from the Huon Valley and Channel region – held at Ranelagh which is only 30...

09/01/2023

How to turn 8 days leave into a 16 day Tassie holiday.
Plan your dates to take advantage of weekends and public holidays (see suggested dates below), then book your southern Tasmania accommodation at https://book.roommanager.com.au/huon-valley-escapes/accommodation/140375/
------------------
Saturday 1 April
Sunday 2 April

Monday 3 April
Tuesday 4 April
Wednesday 5 April
Thursday 6 April

Friday 7 April (Public holiday: Good Friday)
Saturday 8 April
Sunday 9 April
Monday 10 April (Public holiday: Easter Monday)

Tuesday 11 April
Wednesday 12 April
Thursday 13 April
Friday 14 April

Saturday 15 April
Sunday 16 April
------------
Holiday length: 16 days
Annual leave used: 8 days

27/12/2022

It is not too late to book your summer escape. https://book.roommanager.com.au/huon-valley-escapes/accommodation/140375
Still a few various room/nights left January 2-9 and 15 onwards

20/12/2022

Bushwalker transport service to access Tasmania’s walking tracks in southern Tasmania. Route info, pricing and book online: https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/custom-and-bushwalker-transport.html With a convenient and flexible schedule this solves the problem of finding connecting transport to and from Hobart Airport, and the many possible walking and accommodation destinations around Tasmania. Any day of the year, on demand, we will pick up in Hobart CBD or Hobart Airport.

15/12/2022

You can enjoy a wilderness flight, cruise or even luxury camp as part of your Huon Valley Escape. More info at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/wilderness-flights.html

14/12/2022

A 20 minute guide to exploring 4 secret waterfalls in the Huon Valley, south from Hobart Tasmania. Watch the video at
https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/walks.html
Your video guide is Caedence Kuepper. Discover his YouTube channel of waterfall walks around Tasmania. These are not your average tourist waterfalls. You will need a sense of adventure, strong boots and suitable outdoor clothing, plus navigation skills. If this sounds like you, be sure to include one or two of these secret waterfalls as part of your Huon Valley Escape.

19/11/2022

Willie Smiths Apple Shed wins big at the Australian Cider Awards 2022. Taking home multiple prizes including " Most Successful Large Producer" based on the number of specialty categories won.

Read more at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/tourism-news-blog/willie-smiths-apple-shed-wins-big-at-the-australian-cider-awards-2022

16/11/2022

If wooden boats are your thing, come for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival: 10th - 13th February 2023. Then add a trip to the Wooden Boat School and Living Boat Trust in Franklin, plus take a cruise on the Huon River, south from Hobart. More info at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/tourism-news-blog/australian-wooden-boat-festival-10th-13th-february-2023

08/08/2022

Attend the events (get the event info below) and stay nearby at Little Seed, Huon Country Cottage, Buttongrass Retreat or Huon Bush Retreats. More info and book online at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/accommodation.html

Share the wonder and magic of Huon Pines through two short, unique, world-first activities, conducted in the Huon Valley as part of National Science Week.
-----------------------
Part One: The first public theatre-style screening of Australia's flagship science documentary, ABC Catalyst, in which we coordinated the ascent into the canopy of a Huon Pine.
-----------------------
Part Two: A practical, hands-on intro to dendrochronology workshop at the Geeveston Town Hall. We have microscopes, calipers, clipboards, and hand lenses, and show people the basics of how to measure and calculate the historical records embodied in wood.
More info at https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/tourism-news-blog/huon-valley-huon-pine-and-giant-trees-celebration

30/07/2022

Perched high above the Huon River, this bed and breakfast cottage offers self-contained comfort with everything you need. Set between a permaculture cottage garden and a rural landscape with native forest, this is a lovely blend of modern living and nature. Selected mid week winter nights are now discounted to multi night rates.

https://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/tourism-news-blog/discount-winter-rates-at-this-romantic-escape-40-min-south-from-hobart