Baillie Lodges says its long-held plans to create a luxury wilderness retreat on Tasmania’s rugged southeast coast will go ahead. Remarkable Lodge on the Tasman Peninsula will provide a welcome hike in visitor numbers to the region, around a 75 minute drive from Hobart and close to the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur historic site.
Owners James and Hayley Baillie and their four young sons were joined by Premier of Tasmania, Will Hodgman on the lodge site at Crescent Bay when making the announcement on 28 February. The $20 million Remarkable Lodge will be the fourth property in the Baillie Lodges swag of Australian luxury lodges upon its completion in 2020.
Remarkable Lodge will rest on its own spectacular headland, offering sea views extending to Tasman Island and Cape Pillar, home to the Southern Hemisphere’s highest vertical sea cliffs, as well as waterfalls, fascinating rock formations, archways and deep-sea caves.
The 43-hectare privately-owned property adjoins the Tasman National Park, promising a range of adventures for guests. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife including hundreds of seals, migrating whales, dolphins and sea birds. Visitors witness a frenzy of diving gannets, magnificent albatross and sea eagles, cormorants and peregrine falcons.
Renowned Tasmanian architects Stuart Tanner and Craig Rosevear collaborated on the vision. A contemporary wing-shaped design sits gently on the contour of the coastal landscape. Materials including stone, wood and concrete create an aesthetic true to the world’s best cool climate lodges, while each of its 20 suites deliver views of the Tasman Sea and its wilderness.
The Great Room is the hub of guest activity, and includes a guest-only restaurant and bar, open fire and expansive terrace. Below is a bunker-style retreat with dedicated spa and indoor-outdoor swimming pool. Guests can explore Crescent Bay or take a short walk to Basket Bay and Remarkable Cave. A program of signature experiences of the destination are being developed, including a water-transported visit to the Port Arthur historic site, wilderness walks and a raft of marine adventures.
Owner James Baillie says the philosophy behind the Baillie Lodges guest experience is to create a real sense of place in each of the destinations in which they operate.
“After many years in the planning, Hayley and I are very excited to be adding the remarkable Tasman Peninsula to our collection of unique wilderness destinations around Australia,” Mr Baillie said.
“We see a fabulous opportunity to harness Tasmania’s already thriving food and beverage offering including fine wines, island beers, small-batch whiskies and gins, as well as fabulous produce including cheeses, oysters, seafood and beef.
“We believe Remarkable Lodge will provide a welcome boost to the local and regional economies. Not only will it create new, sustainable tourism jobs directly related to the lodge, but support industries including local tour operators, food and beverage producers, building suppliers and tradesmen, interior designers and local artists are also set to benefit.
“The Tasmanian Government has shown generous support for the project with $1million committed to infrastructure allowing more visitors access to the Tasman Peninsula whilst preserving the region’s spectacular natural assets.”
The Tasman Peninsula is recognised for its potential as a standout tourism destination, with its sheer cliffs, white-sand beaches, caves and wilderness a draw card for high-end visitors seeking an active experience from a luxury lodge base. The challenging Three Capes Walk follows a route close to the lodge, while a hike up nearby Mount Brown promises panoramic views to Tasman Island and beyond.
Work has already begun to fine tune the lodge’s design and guest experience concepts and will continue throughout 2018. Construction is expected to commence in 2019, with Remarkable Lodge flagged to open in 2020.
The Baillie Lodges portfolio of luxury properties currently includes Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta.
