After 11 years, many more then I expected when I left, I finally came back to Tasmania. We had a pleasant flight from Sydney and after retrieving our bags from the Hobart airport, we stepped outside and were treated by a heat wave of 39 degrees. The hottest day of the year!
We took a bus to get into the city and from there we took a TassieLink bus to get within 50 min to Huonville. There was Paul already waiting for us to pick us up. He hasn't changed in all this years and still looked the same like when I left.
The road was steep to get up to the Huon Bush Retreat and we passed the helipad, the vegetable garden, the labyrinth and the first driveways to some of the cabins being part of the property. There are also comfortable tipis and private campground areas for tents. A beautiful outdoor kitchen with a wide range of equipment is provided as well and is very well maintained. The bathroom facilities are of very good quality and the showers nice, warm and with good pressure. There is even an outside bathtub. What we admired the most about the property is that it is totally based on sustainability and it is ecological friendly.
Have a look on this fantastic website http://www.huonbushretreats.com/ and find out more yourself.
We did a little trek maintenance as a big tree fell on it and Paul had to cut some steps on it to make it passable again. I took care of the small leaves...
This is the bright and spacious kitchen in one of the cabins, equipped with everything you need, plus a minibar for the little cravings.
Michael did a great job with the interior design and choices of colors to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
As it was a busy time and we loved to be together with our friends, we helped cleaning. Here Charles is professionally handling the vacuum. We were happy to do some housekeeping again as we are only to do "bagkeeping" at the moment.
My training showed successful as well and I haven't lost my skills.
The true housekeeper is still in Chrisy and she elegantly cleaned the cabin.
This is a cabin with 2 stories and hosts up to 9 people at a time. All the cabins have outdoor baths in a private environment under the southern stars. It is just beautiful!
We got invited to go together to the most southernly Australian hospitality establishment, the "Buttongrass Retreat" it's located south of Dover, right next to the "historical Ida railway" in the middle of a button grass plain.
The interior is very tasteful and with vibrant colors.
The living room and kitchen area with big glass windows, has an oven in the middle which gives warm on chilly evenings and invites to cook delicious food with friends.
The view through the window or sitting on the balcony are spectacular over the plain to the mountain range in the background. When we arrived we saw 2 eagles soaring above our heads for a long while before settling down in some old tall trees. I helped Paul on the roof of the house to build a cover around the solar water heater and the water separator system. I learned a lot again from Paul and enjoyed the experience.
When we came back we settled back into the cozy caravan close to the house where we spent most of our time.
We went to explore the 5 km nature walk with the interpretation boards. At first we came through cold temperate rain forests, passing a pool where when you are lucky, you can spot a platypus.
In the trees we saw and heard many birds. We enjoyed the trek with it's variety of trees and plants.
When we came to the rock wall, which surrounds the plateau I first thought it's the wall of a castle. On this walls there are in some areas still aboriginal paintings and other secret places, where until these days ceremonies are held. This areas are out of reach to respect the holy places of the Aboriginals. The interpretation boards are giving a great inside about the cultural and natural history of the area.
This is Ruby, the daughter of Rosy. Rosy became an orphan, because her mother got killed by a car and was brought up by Paul and Michael. Ever since she kept close to them and now her kid does as well.
Here I am, bringing some "Spaetzle" culture to Tasmania cooking on the wood oven.
The outcome was this colorful trio of tomato, spinach and the original.
After this tasty dinner we enjoyed some time together. Next day our trip around Tasmania was going to start.
For more pictures click on the following link: Huon Bush Retreat
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